Vocalist Ruth Brown Proves She’s Still a Trendsetter

Pop singers rarely seem to improve with age because they often tend to simply rely on what has worked for them in the past rather than try to challenge themselves to find new means to approach their signature tunes.

Not Ruth Brown, who began a two-week engagement on Wednesday at the Cinegrill. But she has been bucking trends for decades.

The glorious, 68-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member proved during her rollicking 90-minute performance that she’s still a vital vocalist.

Brown now prefers slower tempos and more mellow arrangements than she did in her youth, but she sings her meld of jazz standards and gutbucket blues songs with more meaning.

While her set ranged from an evocative version of “Over the Rainbow” to an emotional rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” the best moments came with her up-tempo renditions of such catalog staples as “5-10-15 Hours” and “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean.” The biggest surprise of the night was Brown’s sassy, innuendo-filled rendition of “If I Can’t Sell It, I’m Gonna Keep Sitting on It,” showing that it’s possible to get even freakier than Adina Howard without hype or hot pants.

* Ruth Brown appears at the Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., tonight, Saturday, July 26 and 27 at 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. $20, two-drink minimum. (213) 466-7000.