Let It Burn

Ruthie Foster | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 31, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Corn Music
• ASIN: B006LL3Y4G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,665 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 release from the Soulful vocalist. Let it Burn is a deeply intimate recording: a smoky mix of original songs coupled with inventive interpretations of an unexpected collection of covers - ranging from Adele to Los Lobos, and from The Black Keys to Johnny Cash. Recorded in New Orleans at Piety Street studios, with a small group of A-List musicians that includes George Porter Jr. of the legendary Meters, this album takes the listener on Ruthie's most personal journey yet. With her deeply moving vocals at the core, Ruthie is supported along the way by some very special guests - gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama and Stax Records soul man William Bell.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruthie Foster Let's It Burn February 4, 2012

By Randy Patterson

Format:MP3 Music

I love rock. I love the blues. I love soul. I love folk. I love gospel. It's a rare treat to come across an artist who artfully pours all five of those ingredients into their creative melting pot and come up with a musical feast that delights the ears. Ruthie Foster does exactly that with her seventh album, Let It Burn.

The Grammy nominee is Texas born and bred, cutting her teeth on church pews in the rural areas of the state and grew up paying her dues in crafting her eclectic style of blues. Ruthie has worked, in one form or another, with greats like Bonnie Rate, Big Head Todd and many others, adding her incredible voice and stage presence to their incredible presence.

Let It Burn features songs by such diverse talent as The Band, Adele, Black Keys, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Pete Seeger, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash and many others. Lending a hand at the recording sessions at New Orleans' Piety Street Studios were: Blind Boys of Alabama; soul great, William Bell; George Porter (The Funky Meters) on bass; the legendary Ike Stubblefield on the Hammond B3; sax man, James Rivers; Dave Easley on guitar; and drummer Russell Batiste. The musicians represent the cream of New Orleans' musical crop and it shows in glaring ways on this album.

If you love hearing covers of classics that put them in a completely different light, then you'll definitely want to immediately own Let It Burn. Case in point: Ruthie's treatment of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire will catch the listener pleasantly by surprise. I love, love, love this rendition of this country classic and would definitely be on the short list of Boomerocity favorites from this album if I have anything to do with it (and I do)....

Another one that caught me by surprise is Ruthie's cover of Black Keys' Everlasting Night. This cover stands equally as well on its own as the original does. In fact, I believe that one could set up a play list on their playing with alternate playing of this tune between the two artists and be quite happy listening to both versions for many hours without growing tired of either.

Other tunes that experience repeat hits of the repeat button are Pete Seeger's If I Had A Hammer and the sultry delivery of the John Martyn song, Don't Want To Know. Man, oh man! I couldn't possibly begin to say how great those songs are. You'll just have to buy the album and see for yourself.

I am definitely a new, die-hard Ruthie Foster fan. By the album and you'll see why.

Boomerocity.com Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ruthie Foster Yet! January 31, 2012

By Rockabilly17

Format:Audio CD

Ruthie has never sounded so passionate and soulful. This record is a perfect combination of Ruthie's original songs and some covers that sound better suited for her voice than the original artist! I pre-ordered the album and have already listened through it multiple times. It won't be leaving my iPod any time soon!

Stand-out Tracks: Aim For The Heart, You Don't Miss Your Water, If I Had A Hammer, Ring Of Fire (Beautiful original arrangement from Ruthie)

Don't miss out on this one!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Genuine, Intense and Soulful March 6, 2012

By Kinnie

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Just as she did with O Susannah and Up Above My Head, Ruthie Foster continues to show me new meanings behind songs that I thought I knew. The most notable example on this album is Ruthie's sensitive, torched-out take on Ring of Fire. There are many others as well, such as Everlasting Light, in which she remakes the wonderful, thumping original into a soulful, strongly female declaration of commitment and protection.

The album has a generally gospel tone, which is strongly influenced by the prevalence of the B3 organ and the vocals of the Blind Boys of Alabama. There are a couple lighter songs, including the original Aim For the Heart, but the album does have a weighty, profound feel. I don't consider that a flaw, as some reviewers seem to; I'm actually impressed. To be sure, the album loses some momentum around Long Time Gone and Don't Want to Know, so this is actually a 4.7 review.

If you're looking for lightweight fare, this is not it. If you love old-time soul, this is a very good addition to your collection. As another chapter in the Ruthie Foster catalog, it's outstanding.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Aretha Franklin Meets Sade and Covers Adele and Johnny Cash! February 5, 2012

By chuckles

Format:Audio CD

It's hard to put into words the depth and breadth of this album. There are so many influences brought into the mix, and yet somehow Ruthie Foster makes everything her own. And she does it with integrity and a whole lotta soul!
Highlight covers for me include the Miles Davis-meets-Stax version of 'You Don't Miss Your Water' (a duet with the songwriter, the great William Bell, who sounds fantastic himself); the slinky Los Lobos cover 'This Time'; John Martyn's 'I Don't Want To Know' (maybe the best version I've ever heard); and the tour-de-force slow-burning 'Ring of Fire.' There are also some great original tunes, especially the inspiring opening song 'Welcome Home' which features the Blind Boys of Alabama.
Although it's categorized as a blues album (and there is some blues on it), its a lot more than that. And this woman can sing like no one since Aretha was a youngster (without over-singing like all the American Idol wanna-bes out there).
Again, its kinda hard to describe this album so all i can say is if you are a fan of great singing, great songs, and real deep soul - buy this one!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Ruthie with the Meters - groove on! February 20, 2012

By music freak

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

A nice effort, albeit not her best. For instance, I could've done without the version of "Ring of Fire"...I've listened to it several times, and I don't get it (kind of like Dion's version of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze in 1967) Now, having said that, the guest stars (including the Blind Boys of Alabama and members of New Orleans Meters) make this a joyous event. Some of the grooves on this album are nothing short of amazing, but if you're looking for your first Ruthie Foster album, I humbly suggest "Live at Antones" a better well rounded effort. Don't take it personally Ruthie - even if I was down on my luck and only had 15 bucks in my pocket, i'd still buy one of your albums...I just thing there's better ones