THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 19, 1996 TAG: 9602190027
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: MUSIC REVIEW
SOURCE: BY RICKEY WRIGHT
STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
It's tough to fib, Ruth Brown noted, to a room full of people who knew you in high school.
With that in mind, the Portsmouth native and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer spoke her mind Saturday night, keeping up a funny, touching monologue between numbers onstage at Willett Hall.
Brown, in town for the concert and a signing session Sunday for her new autobiography, ``Miss Rhythm,'' cracked jokes about the cool temperature of the venue, her size and her health, then tearfully reminisced about her family - the show was titled ``A Song for Goldie,'' Brown's younger sister who recently suffered a stroke and was in the crowd.
``Only young people can talk about love - that's a lie,'' the bluesy vocalist said early in her hour-plus set. ``Years ago, I was just a singer, but now I'm a soul singer. Now I understand the songs.''
The 68-year-old star recalled growing up in the city. She drew knowing chortles from the audience as she described the sensual dances she engaged in as a teenager: ``Grindin' coffee,'' she said, laughing herself. ``Baby, Daddy caught me with that percolator on low a couple of times!''
After departing Virginia in the late 1940s, Brown emerged as one of the biggest R&B stars of the '50s. Saturday night, she reigned at Willett not only as a Hall of Fame member, but also a Grammy and Tony winner, a result of her comeback in the '80s.
Brown's achievements over the past decade also include her role as DJ Motormouth Maybelle in the film ``Hairspray.'' (She made a brief appearance as Maybelle when she introduced Freddy Cole, the opening act, Saturday evening.) She has further distinguished herself as a leader in the fight for record royalties unjustly denied early rock and R&B stars.
Concert highlights included two of her first hits from the early days of Atlantic Records, ``Teardrops From My Eyes'' and ``5-10-15 Hours.''
Saturday, hers were bluesy shouts that displayed a deeper voice.
Brown stood at the intersection of R&B and jazz with the ballad ``Have a Good Time,'' which she followed with a story about meeting her idol, Billie Holiday.
Remembering her early attempts to mimic Holiday's style, Brown repeated the advice of the great artist: ``As long as you sound like me, they're gonna call my name. Not yours.''
Then she followed with renditions of Holiday's ``Lover Man,'' ``Good Morning, Heartache'' and ``Fine and Mellow'' that proved she could make the songs her own.
From deep in the alley came Brown's latter-day signature, the double-entendre ``If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' on It.''
Minutes after provoking roars from listeners with that tune - and vowing to ``sing until I get warm'' - Brown's bravado crumbled as she spoke at length - and from her giant heart - about her sister's illness, the moral support Goldie had lent in times of trouble and their late parents.
To Goldie, Brown dedicated a fiercely emotional version of the Gladys Knight and the Pips classic ``You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
JIM WALKER photos
The Virginian-Pilot
Ruth Brown, right, talks with Portsmouth Mayor Gloria Webb, left,
and Louise Walden at Saturday's book signing.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ruth Brown and Andre Yule, who co-wrote
``Miss Rhythm,'' joke with fans during a visit to her native
Portsmouth.
JIM WALKER
The Virginian-Pilot
Ruth Brown signs copies of her book, ``Miss Rhythm,'' at Portsmouth
City Council chambers on Sunday. Brown, a Portsmouth native, was in
town Saturday for a concert and a book signing. She met up Sunday
with David Sanford, who went to kindergarten with her. He was, she
said, her first dance partner.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB