Customer Reviews

Phenomenal Ruthie Foster

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was not familiar with Ruthie Foster prior to happening upon this CD. The title, "The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster", amused me somewhat. What was she thinking referring to herself as "phenomenal"? Wasn't she inviting some major cynicism? Curious, I finally listened to the clips available online. I approached it with the attitude, "Show me just how phenomenal you are." Well, she did! I was quickly and fully captivated. She really is phenomenal. (For the record, you will notice that track 9 is entitled "Phenomenal Woman", so the title of the CD does have contextual relevance.)

Ruthie is a wonderful soul/blues artist. I understand that this recording represents a bit of a departure for her stylistically. This evolution is a happy circumstance because it fits her voice beautifully. It is silky smooth and features equally well in country blues, vintage soul, and everywhere in between. The following are few standout tracks for me.

"Fruits of My Labor" is the quintessential song for a hot, lazy summer day. It is not just the melody or structure of the song, but the lyrics as well (purple flowers, lavender lotus, tangerine, persimmons, sugar cane, honey dew melon, etc.).

A personal favorite is the a capella "People Grinnin' in Your Face". My only previous exposure to the song was in the White Stripes DVD, "Under Blackpool Lights". Of course this version is quite different. Ruthie strips it down to soulful backing vocals, light percussion and hand claps. It is a soulful, rousing rendition!

"Beaver Creek Blues" opens with a symphony of "creek critters" (bullfrog, insects, etc.) which transports you to the country (or swamp). They then give way to a funky drum beat. The song is a simple blues ditty with one-line repeating verses but it is very effective. Ruthie seems to have a lot of fun with it. "Mama Said" has a similar country soul feel as it shares a mother's common sense wisdom.

"Harder than the Fall" and "I Don't Know What to Do with My Heart" are exquisite. The lyrics are intimate and the melodies are beautiful. They both touch the heart.

There are a couple songs that are not great in my opinion (particularly "Cuz I'm Here", I am unsure what she was trying to do with this one), but overall the album is phenomenal. So is Ruthie. Give it a listen. If you like straight soul or soulful blues, you will adore this recording.

Ruthie Foster is the best kept secret in America. I learned about her music from a friend who lives in Canada. One listen was all it took to realize that this was a performer I needed to follow. I started with "Runaway Soul" which still moves me after almost daily listening. Her songs inform life. This newest CD release--Phenomenal Ruthie Foster--has a bit of a self-congratulatory and cheesy title, but the songs are not to be missed. Celebrate her beautiful voice on the song "I Don't Know What to Do With My Heart," or moan with the blues of "Mama Said." Foster is firmly in touch with every genre of North American music. She turns competently between traditional spirituals and more contemporary pop/folk tunes. I could go on and on, but will stop just to say that you owe it to your soul to listen to this CD...and ALL of Ruthie's recordings.

I just caught the R. Foster show in Chicago at Fitzgerald's on 2/8/7 and was blown away. Incredibly, there were maybe 50 people there (it was 5 degrees out and the town is still getting over the Super Bowl). If it's possible, Ruthie delivers this material live at maybe a factor of 5 over the record which I can't seem to stop listening to. American Idol? They are the very minor leagues. Ruthie can hang with anyone. Buy the record, see her live.

phenomenal is an understatement.

By Matthew W. Moran

"The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster" might be an audacious title for an album, but rest assured, it's not false advertising. Foster backs it up in this gorgeous new CD.

The album title is more than braggadocio - the lyrics for one track comes from "Phenomenal Woman," a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou that booms with confidence.

"I'm a big, big fan of Maya Angelou," said Foster." "I grew up wanting to be a poet. So running across this poem in a song was just beautiful to me. I had to record that one, because to me, that's the essence of where I'm at right now. I know God ain't done with me yet, but I'm feeling pretty good."

At age 42 years old, Foster is a rarity in today's musical world, but the soulful Texas native seems to be coming into her own in this, her fifth album. The disc is reminiscent of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," minus the hip-hop influences, as Foster blends R&B, soul, country, and Gospel, in a style comparable to Aretha Franklin or Ella Fitzgerald.

Part of the CD ripples with proclamation, like the bold "Heal Yourself." On "Beaver Creek Blues," croaking bullfrogs and other sounds of the swamp can be heard in the background, while Foster shows off her massively flexible pipes. But perhaps the highlight of the album is the mellow closing track, "I Don't Know What To Do With My Heart," featuring an arrangement so beautiful the song will be hard to listen to only once.

Bottom line: I don't even like R&B (generally speaking) but this is a beautiful album.

I heard Ruthie Foster in an interview on NPR (National Public Radio), on "Studio 360". NPR has done this to me before; hooked me on a sound I'd never experienced previous. I have this CD in my cubicle at work and it is all I can do not to dance or sing out loud. I am going to have to get a copy for the car and one for the house I think. This was my first Foster experience and it is as profound as Bob Marley singing "No Woman, No Cry". And Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman" set to song by Foster is...I don't have the words.

Do yourself a favor - whether it be this album or any other Ruthie Foster, get it (or several). Her voice is raw, powerful, pure, magical. What and when she sings is from the heart and soul - you can hear it in her voice or watch her on stage as her joy and love of music shines through on every note, sung or not. Ruthie Foster is a gem and you will not be disappointed. Her rendition of a Sun House tune is enough to make any blues fan (or any music fan) a fan of hers.

Five long years after Foster arrived with "Runaway Soul," a fine blues/soul disc that netted an appearance on Austin City Limits, she returns with an homage to Sixties soul and blues. On the first two offerings, ""Cuz I'm Here" and "Heal Yourself" she courts comparisons to Aretha at her best, a soulful Gospel shouter. Then she slows it down with a stunning cover of Lucinda Williams' "Fruits of My Labor," and a testifying, nearly acapella cover of Son House's "People Grinnin' In Your Face."

Foster's voice is powerful and natural, unprocessed, a rarity. While not all the cuts match the power of the opening quad, the in a real way rarely heard. While the production isn't inspired, Foster and producer Malcolm Wellbourne were smart enough to have her mostly ditch her acoustic guitar for the warmth of a Wurlitzer piano. While the rest of the album doesn't always match the heights of the opening quad, it's an early favorite for a best of 2007.

When I first listened to this cd my favorite songs were roots rockin' "People Grinnin' in Your Face" and "Up in My Room". Over a weekend I fell in love with the entire cd. The lyrics of so many of the songs are thought-provoking, humorous and heart warming. "A Friend Like You" and "Phenomenal Woman" have become theme songs for me and my women friends. Ruthie, honey, just keep being phenomenal!!!

First of all, know that Ruthie Foster is a new recording artist who is currently 42 years old. In an age where 16-17 year olds are being given recording contracts based on dubious auditions, I found this concept intriguing, which is why I chose to listen to Ruthie first on the Internet before deciding to all the tracks on her first album.

"The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster" is very much a more sophisticated first cousin of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", in that it gives off the same vibe, minus the hip-hop. What we have here is a coffee-tinged rich soul voice that focusses on jazz, while spicing things up a bit with more modern instrumentation. The centerpiece remains the voice, however.

What I especially like about Ruthie is that she is unique in her own way, but gives you the distinct impression that she is a seasoned artist on her ninth or tenth album. Listening to this reminds you a lot of American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle (Especially the way Ruthie can hold a note in the higher and lower ranges).

If you're not sure of buying this album through the samples, I've jotted down a few albums that you could sonically compare this to. If you know these CDs, you'll know what to expect:

1. Maxwell : "Now"
2. Sade : "Lovers' Rock"
3. Mya : "Moodring" (some of the slower numbers)
4. Erykah Badu : "Baduizm"

This record possesses the spirit of all 4 abovementioned albums, so if you like those, you will like this.

"Phenomenal Ruthie Foster" will blow you away. Beautiful lyrics, rich music on each song. Get this cd, get all of them. All of her cd's are awesome and Ruthie's music is incredible. If you ever get a chance to see her live, do it. She is truly an amazing entertainer you do not want to miss