''Ballroom Streets'' is a 1978 double album released by

Melanie Melanie is a feminine given name derived from the Greek language, Greek μελανία (melania), "blackness" and that from μέλας (melas), meaning "dark".the Persuasions The Persuasions were an American a cappella group that formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1962, singing under corner streetlights and in subway corridors. Their style combined gospel, soul, early rock, and jazz into melodic five-part harmonies. ...

. When first issued on CD in 1989, it did not contain "Holding Out", "Any Guy", "Groundhog Day" and "Friends and Company". There was a promotional only 12-inch single with the songs "Cyclone (Candles in the Rain)" and "Running After Love" omato TOM 12D-0004distributed at the time of the album's release.

Reception

In their review of the album, ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'' noted that "this is a marvelous collection of 25 songs that shows Melanie's talents as song stylist, composer and performer. The band is a versatile quintet that rocks, reggaes and provides perfect backing. Melanie's voice is full of surprises. She rocks with maturity and her lyrics are as keen as ever." In their review, '' Cashbox'' called it "an elaborate, beautifully packaged album which not only introduces several new Melanie compositions, but contains new renditions...the entire set has a very spontaneous, spirited feel to it." ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' noted that "Melanie's first album for her new label comes across as her best effort in some time. Recorded entirely live in the studio with an audience of 30 people, this disc captures much of the excitement of a live performance." ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' opined that "Safka has always had a problematic voice, affecting but extremely rough, and it's no more dulcet now."

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

rated it three stars, calling it "a thoughtful and ambitious collection of popular standards."

Track listing

All songs written by Melanie Safka except where noted. #"Running After Love" – 4:24 #"Holdin' Out" – 3:15 #"Cyclone / Candles in the Rain" – 7:18 #"Beautiful Sadness" – 5:43 #"Do You Believe" – 3:52 #"Nickel Song" – 3:03 #"Any Guy" – 3:08 #" What Have They Done to My Song Ma" – 4:17 #"I Believe" – 3:49 #"Poet" – 3:50 #"Save Me" – 6:53 #"Together Alone" – 3:26 #" Ruby Tuesday" (

Keith Richards Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943) is an English musician, songwriter, singer and record producer who is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership wi ...

Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...

) – 6:36 #"Buckle Down" – 3:14 #"Miranda" (

Phil Ochs Philip David Ochs (; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American songwriter, protest song, protest singer (or, as he preferred, "topical singer"), and Political Activist, political activist. Ochs was known for his sharp wit, sardonic h ...

) – 3:46 #"

Brand New Key "Brand New Key" is a pop song written and sung by the American folk music singer Melanie. Initially a track of Melanie's album '' Gather Me'', produced by Melanie's husband Peter Schekeryk, it was known also as "The Rollerskate Song" due to its ...

" – 3:38 #"Groundhog Day" – 4:01 #"Friends and Company" – 6:50 ;Musicians *Melanie – acoustic guitar, vocals *Sal DiTroia – acoustic guitar *Tony Battaglia – guitar, slide guitar, bass *Luis Cabaza – keyboards *Robbie Georgia – dobro, rhythm guitar, backing vocals *Stan Kipper – drums, backing vocals *Bob Leone – bass *John Tegthoff – organ, backing vocals *Mary McCaffrey – vocals *

The Persuasions The Persuasions were an American a cappella group that formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1962, singing under corner streetlights and in subway corridors. Their style combined gospel, soul, early rock, and jazz into melodic five-part harmonies. ...

– backing vocals *T.C. – backing vocals ;Technical *Peter Schekeryk – producer *Michael Laskow, Paul Kaminsky – engineer *Paul K Saxenmeyer – assistant engineer *Benno Friedman – cover photography *Gregg Lamping – tech engineerPrinted on LP jacket "Above and beyond the call"

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1978 albums Melanie (singer) albums Tomato Records albums