Ruby Soul [Import]

1. Cherries from My Neighbour's Tree

2. Magic to My Heart

3. It's Up to You

4. You Drive Me Crazy

5. I Don't Want to See You

6. Lazy Day

7. Soulfunk Nr. 1

8. In the Jungle

9. Damn Good Girl

10. When I'm Feeling Sad

11. What Has Roots

12. Always an Excuse

Tracks:

Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago
Sugar Free Jazz
Casiotone Nation
Blueeyed Devil
Bus To Beelzebub
True Dreams Of Wichita
Screenwriter's Blues
Moon Sammy
Supra Genius
City Of Motors
Uh, Zoom, Zip
Down To This
Mr. Bitterness
Janine

Amazon.com

Where the '60s had a fair amount of great blue-eyed soul, the 1990s had been remiss in offering up first-rate, blue-eyed hip-hop--until Soul Coughing came along. Frontman M. Doughty shied away from the label, dubbing the quartet's music "deep slacker jazz," which actually kinda fits tracks like the film noir homage, "Screenwriter's Blues." Doughty's acerbic, often hilarious (see "Casiotone Nation") rhymes--which never sound like he's trying to be too streetwise--float like butterflies over the sting-like-a-bee rhythm section of Sebastian Steinberg and Yuval Gabay. Add the unorthodox sampler technique of Mark de Gli Antoni, and you have a total package that you'll never tire of unwrapping. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews:

Like falling through Alice's looking glass..........2005-08-25

I had just met in person the man I had been e-mailing for months. We had been swapping musical recommendations, along with the trivia and minutia that we both seemed to have an endless appetite for; he handed me a glass of wine, and went to his media center with a CD in his hand and said "This is my litmus test for anyone who claims to be someone of really broad musical tastes", and proceeded to put "Ruby Vroom" into the player. As "Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago" began, I could feel my eyes opening wider and wider, and I was smiling so big, it actually hurt my cheeks. I was taking an auditory ride equal to Alice's adventures in Wonderland, where everything had its very own perverse logic, thinking was circular, not linear, and the Mad Hatter had a new name--Mike Doughty. By the time I was boarding the "Bus to Beelzebub", I was completely hooked. I married the man with the CD, and we've shared many more glasses of wine, and many more CD's, and we've listened to Soul Coughing so often that my 17 year old son, whose personal tastes run more to Diatribe and Limp Bizkit, has memorized the words to "Bus to Beelzebub" and "Uh,Zoom Zip". We have the rest of Soul Coughing's discography, but this one, their first, is the definitive sound and psyche of these erudite innovators at their most scathingly observant.

Best Of Soul Coughing, And That's Saying Alot.......2005-05-06

Doing a quick glance over the various reviews of this album, i have noticed only one reviewer who even attempted to throughly criticize the hell out of this album. And a good job he did...for himself. But clearly, whoever recomended that he listen to Soul Coughing was glossly mistaken. Being the creepy stalker that i am, i read his other reviews to find that his primary musical interests center around 70s pop music, and while he may enjoy Cake, this is diffrent.

Diffrent to say the least. Soul Coughing is one of few bands that cannot be accurately compared to anything else at all. Sure, you can pick out the influences, but the complete sound is unique. It's a little like morphine, with free-form poetry and some drum and bass. Or like some of Garbages older stuff, but less electro and a male vocalist. Truely, though, Soul Coughing is not a band you ought to recommend to anyone based one their appreciation of another band.

"Ruby Vroom" is in my opinion, one of the greatest albums to be made in the 90s. I'm sure that comment won't go over well with the Nirvana crowd, but it's true. From the flawless, almost techno-quality drums of Yuval Gabay, to the haunting and precise upright bass of Sebastian, to, best of all, the vocals of Mike Doughty. Doughty does not sing songs about specific stuff, like falling in love or how politics are in the toilet. He sings about things that, granted, do not make complete sense, but rather, convey a mood.

And "Ruby Vroom" is all kinds of moody. The combination of unusual vocals and the use of an upright bass gives the entire album a brooding and dark tone. The wall to wall "hits" include "Casiotone Nation" (a song who's lyrics change every time it is performed) "Bus To Beelzebub" (which opens with a sample from a 'Looney Toons' song) "True Dreams Of Wichita" "Mr. Bitterness", and best of all "Screenwriters Blues", a track i personally think could continue the length on an entire LP and not get stale.

My humble opinion, but by the looks of it, I'm in good company.

Amazing........2005-04-29

Like lots of folks, I first heard Soul Coughing on Songs in the Key of X, which had "Unmarked Helicopters" on it. I sort of forgot about them until they came up on a favorite website of mine and I decided to check them out. Simply put, this album is brilliant. Laid back, funky as all get out, quirky and original, Ruby Vroom is one heck of an introduction to Soul Coughing. The lyrics range from nifty to brilliant, mostly brilliant, and manage to be edgy and playful and (on a few tracks) just nonsensical enough to be interpreted several ways. My favorite songs are "Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago", "Screenwriter's Blues", "Casiotone Nation", "Uh, Zoom Zip", "Down To This", and the quirky but brilliantly played "Mr. Bitterness" (it's sort of like drum n' bass, but played with real instruments), which is a huge changeup and continues to grab my attention. I have been listening to this album nonstop for a week, and it has definitely folded itself into my music collection nicely. Highly recommended.

Their best--no question........2004-12-05

This is certainly my favorite release by this band. Soul Coughing has become one of my favorite bands--long after it has ceased to be. This CD is immediately enjoyable, and, if not, it will grow on anyone with an open mind for interesting, intelligent music. Their songs may not sound particularly subtle at first, but with repeated listenings, the depth and humor embedded in the lyrics and musicianship will be revealed. Nevertheless, I have to say that I take this potent stuff in measured doses. If you are new to these guys, you must hear this CD (or maybe "Lust in Phaze: The Best of Soul Coughing"). You may or may not regret it, but you will most certainly hear a bit of music to be found nowhere else.

Groovy beat (the poets) oriented "slacker jazz".......2004-11-16

Great term that, "slacker jazz" and it pretty much sums up this grooving smart alecky, acoustic bass driven outfit. Ruby Vroom is funny and strangely disturbing. Especially the first song "Chicago" which has the prophetic lyric "a man drives a plane into the Chrysler building", got the building wrong, but its spooky none the less. Lots of samples and texture on this record, combined with jazzy funk beats and sometimes sung, sometimes rapped lyrics/poetry. Nothing is too too serious, this ain't "Art" baby. What these guys do is drag pop culture through a sharp eyed postmodern woodchipper and remold the mush into some funky, spare (they leave space) trippy and clever hip hop pop. Fun stuff with a brain.

Average customer rating:

LISTENING ESSENTIALS
Stax's Best Kept Secret
Great Southern Soul
Old Memories
Criminally Overlooked Soul Singer!!!

I'll Run Your Hurt Away
Ruby Johnson
Manufacturer: Stax
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Southern Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Memphis Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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Bettye Swann
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ASIN: B000000ZLV
Release Date: 1993-01-25

Tracks:

I'll Run Your Hurt Away (Volt 133A)
What More Can A Woman Do
Won't Be Long
The Love Of My Man
Why Not Give Me A Chance
It's Not That Easy
Don't Play That Song (You Lied)
Come To Me My Darling (Volt 140A)
It's Better To Give Than To Recieve
Keep On Keeping On (Volt 147B)
How Strong Is My Love
Need Your Love So Bad
Come To Me My Darling
Left Over Love
I'd Better Check On Myself
I'd Rather Fight Than Switch
No No No
If I Ever Needed Love (I Sure Do Need It Now) (Volt 147A)
When My Love Comes Down (Volt 140B)
Weak Spot (Volt 133B)

Customer Reviews:

LISTENING ESSENTIALS.......2007-07-18

A must have for anyone with an appreciation for top quality, soul-felt vocals. For similarly excellent listening try Ella Washington's Starving for Love.

Stax's Best Kept Secret.......2007-05-04

First of all, let's examine the statement Stax's best kept secret. In many ways, the Memphis label was and is America's best kept secret. The roster at Stax during it's "golden age" when every single artist was backed by the greatest and tightest band of all time, Booker T. & the MGs, was simply to die for. There's The King of Soul, Otis Redding whose legacy to many, unfortunately seems to be tied to one song. The great "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" honestly pales in comparison to at least two or three dozen other masterpieces he recorded. The label also had, hands down, the greatest Blues guitarist to ever live in the still criminally unheralded (not in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame!) Albert King. Terrific singer/songwriters William Bell and Eddie Floyd, who should both be household names like any old Motown artist gets to be, released countless songs that rivaled the Detroit's company chart friendly pop smashes. They had Memphis's other king, Rufus and his daughter Carla Thomas, known as "Aretha before there was Aretha". On loan from their distributor, Atlantic Records, Double Dynamite - Sam (Moore) & Dave (The great and underrated Prater). And with Johnnie Taylor, they created some of the best Blues and Soul records ever made, and they are all but forgotten about today.

And I say to you, after all that, Ruby Johnson was their best kept secret. An enigma, a mystery. What happened! Stax released ONLY THREE singles on this potential goldmine. In 1993 (Thankfully six years before her passing), this consistently superb set was issued among other CDs with lost and never released treasures by Stax artists including Rufus Thomas, William Bell, and Booker T. & the MGs. This long overdue Johnson set gives us the three singles - "I'll Run Your Hurt Away" (the title track), the great sexy Blues number "When My Love Comes Down", the soulful "If I Ever Needed Love (I Sure Do Need It Now)" with really nice work by the famed bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, their flip sides, and fourteen equally excellent tracks that God knows why were not released. All stack up with anything the label released during this time (1966-67). That is no small feat because this company literally did not put out a bad record in this prime period.

Vocally reminiscent of Etta James, Johnson belts out tunes penned by Stax's finest including the team behind Sam & Dave's brilliant output, Isaac Hayes & David Porter, and guitarist Steve Cropper, who is typically perfect on every track. Also featured here is an inspired cover of Ben E. King's "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" and the absolutely fantastic "Need Your Love So Bad" credited as written by Stax label mate Mable John, but actually written by her brother Little Willie John of "Fever" fame.

No guitar player in the history of popular music has been better playing behind vocalists than Cropper. This ranks with his best work supporting the likes of Otis Redding and Johnnie Taylor. In fact, the MGs' style and Mar-Keys horn arrangements for Johnson are similar to the direction they were going with Taylor pre "Who's Makin' Love?". This is a perfect mix of deeply soulful female R&B and steamy "smoke-filled room" cool Blues that sounds so fresh and infinitely better than what the reigning "divas" of R&B produce today. What happened! It wasn't just that Ruby Johnson could've been a contender, she should've been a superstar!

Great Southern Soul.......2006-10-19

Ruby Johnson is an answer to the musical question, "What if Wilson Pickett was a woman?"

Great stuff.

Old Memories.......2006-08-25

The Cd brings back old meories of years gone by. The sound quality is cyrstal clear.

Criminally Overlooked Soul Singer!!!.......2003-11-13

STAX must really have been in disarray for Ruby Johnson not to have hit it big, because she is every bit as great as Aretha Franklin, Etta James & Irma Thomas -- and this CD proves it! There have got to be about ten GREAT songs on it starting with I'll Run Your Hurt Away all the way to the amazing Weak Spot. Ruby can really belt it out as she does on What More Can A Woman Do, but the slow burners best showcase her gritty vocal style. Songs like Left Over Love, When My Love Comes Down and I'd Better Check On Myself are positively dripping with soul! And that killer organ in the background is enough to put anyone in a stone cold Memphis groove.

Average customer rating:

The Definitive Ruby Andrews Collection...Must Have Chicago Soul Classic.

Just Loving You
Ruby Andrews
Manufacturer: Grapevine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00078GHVQ
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

Uh! Uh! Boy, That's A No No
Help Yourself (Lover)
Whatever It Takes To Please You
Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)
Can You Get Away
Since I Found Out
I Just Don't Believe It
Tit For Tat
You Got To Do The Same Thing
Good 'N Plenty
Let's Get A Groove Going On
You Can Run (But You Can't Hide)
Gotta Break Away
Just Loving You
I Let Him Take Me (In His Arms)
The Love I Need
Everybody Saw You
Come To Me
Wonderful Nite
My Love Is Comin' Down
Away From The Crowd
Didn't I Fool You
You Ole Boo Boo You
All The Way
I Guess That Don't Make Me A Loser
You Made A Believer (Out Of Me)
Where Have You Gone
Hey Boy (Take A Chance On Love)

Album Description

We are proud to release the second album in our 'Chicago Soul Series': Just Loving You is an exhaustive collection of 28 tracks by highly acclaimed soul singer Ruby Andrews. Featuring the best of her Zodiac label recordings, dating from 1967 to 1973, including the big hit single "Casanova" plus many rare and in-demand tracks such as the 'northern' soul favourites "Just Loving You", "Wonderful Nite" and "Hey Boy (Take A Chance On Love)". An essential album with detailed liner notes by music historian and award-winning author Robert Pruter.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive Ruby Andrews Collection...Must Have Chicago Soul Classic........2006-06-30

Most people are sleep on who Ruby Andrews is. For those that don't know, or think they know (because they only heard Cassanova) wake up! This woman is the essence of what Chicago soul singers are really about! Most folk only associate two female singers from Chicago (the late Minnie Riperton and Mavis Staples) and disregard the rest. Ruby Andrews has all the funk Mavis Staples only achieved on one album (the Curtis Mayfield produced A Piece of the Action Soundtrack, which FYI was excellent), and the seriousness of Minnie Riperton classic Come Into My Garden in this collection all in one. For those just finding out about this gem, I would recommend finding a vinyl copy of the 1972 recording of Black Ruby since it hasnt been re-released on CD. However, if you can't, before you play the whole CD in sequential order, listen to the following FIRST:
1. (I Wanna Be) Whatever It Takes To Please You
2. You Ole Boo Boo You
3. My Love Is Comin Down
4. Uh Uh Boy That's A No No
5. Casanova (the first version)
6. You Got To Do The Same Thing
7. The Love I Need
8. You Made A Believer Out Of Me

There are songs on here for everyone. Some are dated, but the funkier cuts are in the aforementioned. Ruby's talent, as well as innovation come out very nicely in this collection; the style of guitar, bass and strings used in some of the songs is very reminiscent of later 70s works of Curtis Mayfield with female singers (mostly Aretha Franklin (Sparkle Soundtrack), Mavis Staples (Piece of the Action Soundtrack), and Gladys Knight (Claudine Soundtrack)) but note: Ruby Andrews did it first!!!
If I had one baby gripe about this compilation, it would be not including Overdose Of Love, which is such a sexy, seductive song IMO that has mystique in it that captures you from the first note to the end. But all in all, you won't be dissapointed.

Average customer rating:

Like Being in Memphis

Show You a Good Time
Ruby Wilson
Manufacturer: Unkut Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009IOS4W
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

When a Man Is Sleeping
Show You a Good Time
Change Is Gonna Come
On My Feet Again
All Good
Catchin' Hell
Playing With My Friends
Hung Up on You
Night Time - Rufus Thomas, Ruby Wilson
Let the Good Times Roll
One Foot in the Blues - Eric Gales, Ruby Wilson
Promise Land

Customer Reviews:

Like Being in Memphis.......2006-08-14

This is a great album. We heard her singing at B.B. King's on Beale Street and thought she was wonderful. This brings back great memories. And if you're in Memphis, be sure to see her on Thursdays at B.B.'s.

Average customer rating:

Smoke and Honey
Ruby Amanfu
Manufacturer: Universal International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008CGT5
Release Date: 2003-08-25

Tracks:

Sugah
Chocolate Pie
Just Until
Know You Better
Different Is Good
Work It Out
For Life
I Will Pray
Morning
Whether You Fall [*]
You Can't Use Me
Bless You
Ying to the Yang [*]

Album Description

Sophomore album from Ghana-born-Atlanta-based pop-soul singer/songwriter includes the single 'Sugah' and 2 UK bonus tracks 'Whether You Fall' & 'Ying To The Yang. 13 tracks. Universal.

Average customer rating:

A Classy Woman after my own heart
strong and romantic voice

Guilty
Ruby Turner
Manufacturer: Indigo UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

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The Other Side
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Paradise

ASIN: B000002XSG
Release Date: 1998-03-05

Tracks:

You Can't Do That
There Is Something On Your Mind
You're Pouring Water On A Drowning Man
Me Oh My
Wang Dang Doodle
Don't Mess Up A Good Thing
Bring It On Home To Me
Love Like Blood
Ain't Nobody
One Time Around
Guilty
Take It As It Comes
That Way
Over The Edge
A Rockin' Good Way
My Eyes Are Weeping

Customer Reviews:

A Classy Woman after my own heart.......2002-07-21

Quite a lady is Ruby Turner, been listening to her for a long time. I am clearly biased as I love a good woman who tells a good story and Ruby Turner always does. Classy interpretation of Wang Dang Doodle... in New Zealand they would call it "Da Bomb"

strong and romantic voice.......1998-07-22

Ruby Turner is a deep from the heart singer with a strong voice and the ability to make you search within yourself for answers.

Live with the Southwest Louisiana Mass Choir

Average customer rating:

Live with the Southwest Louisiana Mass Choir
Ruby Terry
Manufacturer: Malaco Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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God Can Do It
What a Time

ASIN: B000001KUP
Release Date: 1992-10-23

Tracks:

Stand Still
I Never Shall Forget
Blessed Assurance
We Worship You
Take Me To The Water
He Is All I Need
Old Time Religion
Come To Jesus

BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert Glastonbury Festival 1986

Average customer rating:

BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert Glastonbury Festival 1986
Ruby Turner
Manufacturer: BBC Windsong
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001QDR
Release Date: 1994-05-27

Tracks:

Get On Without You
Sexy
Feel My Love
If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)
I'd Rather Go Blind
Either Way You Lose
On Fire
Easy On Yourself
Only Women Bleed
Blue Monday

Average customer rating:

She's got skills
RUBY TERRY A FORCE TO BE RECKON WITH

God Can Do It
Ruby Terry
Manufacturer: Malaco Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

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Live with the Southwest Louisiana Mass Choir

ASIN: B000001KW8
Release Date: 1996-06-25

Tracks:

Didn't I Tell You
Send Your Anointing
Send Your Anointing (Part II)
My Mind's Made Up
Glorify The Lord
God Can Do It
The Lord Will See You Through
He Kept Me
Come Unto Him

Customer Reviews:

She's got skills.......2003-11-26

This is the next Shirley Ceasar. Ruby Terry is all that her music will minister to your heart and if you think you heard her sing listen to her preach,or like she says I mean reach.

RUBY TERRY A FORCE TO BE RECKON WITH.......2001-11-15

RUBY TERRY IS A BLESSING . SHE TRULY MINISTERED TO MY SOUL ON THIS ALBUM . RUBY TERRY IS JUST BREATHE TAKING . THIS ALBUM INCLUDES DOROTHY NORWOOD AND REV. JAMES MOORE . THIS ALBUM WILL TRUL MINISTER 2 U . SHE CAN HOLD HER OWN W/ S. CAESAR , V. WINANS , OR WHOEVER. SHE IS ONE OF THE TALENTED GOSPEL ARTIST WHO GET OVERLOOKED . GOD BLESS HER.