Ruthie Foster – The Phenomenal (Proper Records).
When you name an album ’The Phenomenal’ then you’d better be able to back it up. Texan Ruthie Foster immediately dispels any doubts as she lays down her credentials on Cuz I’m Here, a sultry, soulful R&B. Heal Yourself has good vibes and more upbeat than the opener. She has a classic R&B voice (that’s original R&B). Fruits Of My Labor is a Lucinda Williams song and an emotion laden ballad as you would expect. You can just drift away on the back of this. Son House’s People Grinnin’ In Your Face is sung a capella and the power of Gospel is stamped all over it. Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In The Air) is the third cover in a row. This time it is Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Foster gives the song a smouldering contemporary feel.
She was one of the stars of the 2007 Cambridge Folk Festival and on this evidence it’s not hard to understand why. Harder Than The Fall is an uplifting spiritual and highlights Foster’s songwriting talent. I don’t think that the swamp noises on Beaver Creek Blues are totally necessary as this folk blues is strong enough to stand on its own. Special mention here to the drummer. Mama Said is an acoustic folk blues and Eric Bibb comes to mind as it has that gentle spiritual feel to it. Phenomenal Woman is sweet, powerful soul and Foster has maintained that voice throughout. Eric Bibb’s A Friend Like You is so smooth and she continues the gentle sounds through to the end on I Don’t Know What To Do With My Heart.
Ruthie Foster has a voice that will take your heart and caress it and this album will be a worthy addition to any collection.
http://www.proper-records.co.uk/
http://www.ruthiefoster.com/
David Blue.
When you name an album ’The Phenomenal’ then you’d better be able to back it up. Texan Ruthie Foster immediately dispels any doubts as she lays down her credentials on Cuz I’m Here, a sultry, soulful R&B. Heal Yourself has good vibes and more upbeat than the opener. She has a classic R&B voice (that’s original R&B). Fruits Of My Labor is a Lucinda Williams song and an emotion laden ballad as you would expect. You can just drift away on the back of this. Son House’s People Grinnin’ In Your Face is sung a capella and the power of Gospel is stamped all over it. Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In The Air) is the third cover in a row. This time it is Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Foster gives the song a smouldering contemporary feel.
She was one of the stars of the 2007 Cambridge Folk Festival and on this evidence it’s not hard to understand why. Harder Than The Fall is an uplifting spiritual and highlights Foster’s songwriting talent. I don’t think that the swamp noises on Beaver Creek Blues are totally necessary as this folk blues is strong enough to stand on its own. Special mention here to the drummer. Mama Said is an acoustic folk blues and Eric Bibb comes to mind as it has that gentle spiritual feel to it. Phenomenal Woman is sweet, powerful soul and Foster has maintained that voice throughout. Eric Bibb’s A Friend Like You is so smooth and she continues the gentle sounds through to the end on I Don’t Know What To Do With My Heart.
Ruthie Foster has a voice that will take your heart and caress it and this album will be a worthy addition to any collection.
http://www.proper-records.co.uk/
http://www.ruthiefoster.com/
David Blue.
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