Essential Recordings: Ms. B's Blues

by Al CampbellRounder's Perfect 10 Series compiles recycled tracks taken from Ruth Brown's short stint with the label in 1997 and 1998. The ten tracks are taken from her two Grammy-nominated albums R+B = Ruth Brown and A Good Day for the Blues, highlighted by collaborations with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Duke Robillard, and Bonnie Raitt. Since most fans will no doubt already own this material, it appears to be marketed to the novice. Considering the lack of liner notes and the original discs being easily obtainable, there's little reason to purchase this mid-line, generic compilation.