Ruby Turner
| Ruby Turner | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ruby Turner |
| Born | 22 June 1958 Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, pop, soul |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Jive, Indigo |
| Associated acts | Alexis Korner, Culture Club, Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steve Winwood, Jools Holland, Mick Jagger, Lulu, Yazz, Maxi Priest, Boz Burrell, Bobby Tench, Jonathan Butler, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin, Stan Webb, Steel Pulse, Zoot Money |
| Website | Rubyturner.com |
Ruby Turner (born 22 June 1958, Montego Bay, Jamaica)[1][2] is a British R&B and soul singer, songwriter and actress. In 1967, she relocated with her family to Handsworth, Birmingham, England when she was nine years old.[1] She is best known for her albums and single releases on both sides of the Atlantic, and has sung backing vocals for others such as Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steel Pulse, Steve Winwood, Jools Holland and Mick Jagger, as well as writing songs that have been covered by many artists including Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest.[1] She achieved the rare feat, for a British singer, of reaching #1 on the US R&B chart, with "It's Gonna Be Alright" in February 1990.
Between 1986 and 1995, eight of her singles appeared in the UK Singles Chart with "I'd Rather Go Blind" being the most successful reaching #24 in 1987.[3] Turner performed at the Birmingham Heart Beat 86 concert,[4] which featured George Harrison; and sang on BBC Television's Jools Holland's Hootenanny, in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. She has also appeared as an actress on stage, film and television.
Contents |
[edit] Musical style
| “ |
Ruby Turner is truly the genuine article. Blessed with a voice that can breathe life and meaning into any song, whether it be a passionate ballad or a fast groove – The Guardian[5] |
” |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Music
In the early 1980s Turner worked with Alexis Korner. In 1983, she recorded with UB40. She achieved a solo recording contract with Jive Records after singing backing vocals on Culture Club's From Luxury to Heartache.[1]
Her first album Women Hold Up Half The Sky, was released in 1986 to critical acclaim.[1] and produced hit singles such as a cover version of the Staple Singers song,"If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)", a duet with Jonathan Butler, and the Etta James standard "I'd Rather Go Blind".[1][3]
In March 1987, Turner sang on the Ferry Aid single, "Let It Be". Around this time she also released her hit album, The Motown Songbook, on which she performed with Motown others including The Four Tops, The Temptations and Jimmy Ruffin. Turner appeared on Corey Hart's album, Young Man Running (1988), on the duet "Spot You in a Coalmine".
Turner achieved a #1 R&B chart success in the US in February 1990 with "It's Gonna Be Alright",[6][7] becoming one of the few British artists to top that chart.[8] Four other US R&B chart entries followed in 1990 and 1991, including "Paradise" from the movie Dancin' thru the Dark.[6][7]
In 1998 she recorded the album, Call Me By My Name, with British rhythm and blues luminaries Boz Burrell, Zoot Money, Bobby Tench and Stan Webb. On New Year's Eve 1999, she sang the National Anthem for Queen Elizabeth II, Prime minister Tony Blair and other dignitaries, at the opening of the Millennium Dome in London.[9]
Turner sang backing vocals on Mick Jagger's 2001 album, Goddess in the Doorway, and performed "Nobody But You" on the 2002 album Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues.[10]
In 2007, Turner presented a documentary Shout Sister Shout about Sister Rosetta Tharpe for BBC Radio 2.[5] She sang on Seasick Steve's album, I Started Out with Nothin and I Still Got Most of It Left (2008). In September 2009, Turner released her first gospel music album, I'm Travelling On.[5]
In 2011, Turner narrated the BBC Four documentary Reggae Britannia, which chronicled the history of British Reggae music.
[edit] Acting
As an actress, she has appeared in productions of A Streetcar Named Desire, Carmen Jones, Fame, as well as One Love at the London's Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.[1] Turner also had a small part in the English film, Love Actually.
In 2006, Turner made an appearance in Little Britain Abroad. She played the Sheriff Judy.[11] On 12 October 2007, she appeared as a guest star (as herself) in the BBC One soap opera, Doctors.[1] The episode title was entitled "Raising The Roof".
Her most recent theatre appearance, was a successful run in the London West End production of the musical Simply Heavenly, which was nominated for 'Outstanding Musical' at the 2005 Laurence Olivier Awards.[5] In 2009, Turner appeared in the BBC drama, Hotel Babylon.[12]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Title | UK Albums Chart[3] | US Billboard 200[13] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Women Hold Up Half the Sky | #47 | - |
| 1986 | Live at Glastonbury | - | - |
| 1988 | The Motown Songbook | #22 | - |
| 1989 | Paradise | #74 | #194 |
| 1991 | The Other Side | - | - |
| 1992 | The Best of Ruby Turner | - | - |
| 1993 | Responsible | - | - |
| 1993 | With Love | - | - |
| 1994 | Restless Moods | - | - |
| 1995 | The Best of Ruby Turner | - | - |
| 1996 | Guilty | - | - |
| 1998 | Call Me By My Name | - | - |
| 2001 | Live in Bristol | - | - |
| 2005 | So Amazing | - | - |
| 2007 | Live at Ronnie Scott's (double live album) | - | - |
| 2008 | The Informer | - | - |
| 2009 | I'm Travelling On | - | - |
[edit] Singles (selected)
| Year | Title | UK Singles Chart[3] | US Billboard R&B[6] | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" (Ruby Turner featuring Jonathan Butler) |
#30 | #58 | Jive |
| 1986 | "I'm in Love" | #61 | - | Jive |
| 1986 | "Bye Baby" | #52 | - | Jive |
| 1987 | "I'd Rather Go Blind" | #24 | - | Jive |
| 1987 | "I'm in Love" (re-issue) | #57 | - | Jive |
| 1989 | "It's Gonna Be Alright" | #57 | #1 | Jive |
| 1990 | "Paradise" (featuring Ecstasy of Whodini) |
- | #22 | Jive |
| 1990 | "It's a Crying Shame" | - | #29 | Jive |
| 1991 | "The Other Side" | - | #34 | Jive |
| 1991 | "Rumours" | - | #80 | Jive |
| 1994 | "Stay with Me Baby" | #39 | - | M&G |
| 1995 | "Shakaboom!" (Hunter featuring Ruby Turner) |
#64 | - | Telstar |
[edit] See also
- R&B number-one hits of 1990 (USA)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Biography by Bruce Eder". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5712/biography. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- ^ Discogs.com – accessed October 2009
- ^ a b c d Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 569. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ BFI Film and TV Database @ Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk
- ^ a b c d Rubyturner.com "Ruby Turner biography". Rubyturner.com. http://www.rubyturner.com/full-biography.htm Rubyturner.com. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 454.
- ^ a b "Allmusic ((( Ruby Turner > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5712/charts-awards/billboard-singles.
- ^ Ruby Turner interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul, July 2009
- ^ Ruby Turner interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul, April 2008
- ^ Koda, Cub. Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues - Jools Holland at Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
- ^ Joewaistell, Added 25 December 2006 All my reviews (25 December 2006). "Little Britain: Little Britain Abroad (1) Episode Summary on". Tv.com. http://www.tv.com/little-britain/little-britain-abroad-1/episode/614553/summary.html. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "Ruby Turner, Film and TV credits". IMDb.com. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0877852/. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
- ^ "Allmusic ((( Ruby Turner > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5712/charts-awards/billboard-albums.
