Customer Reviews

Stages

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A couple of weeks ago on a stiflingly sultry afternoon at the Texas Book Festival I heard in the distance this incredible voice singing the old Curtis Mayfield song, "People Get Ready." I moved quickly toward it and caught the last two minutes of Ruthie Foster's one hour set at the Entertainment Tent. In those two minutes, the gritty spirituality of her bluesy gospel rendition of that classic gave me the chills, and, I confess, watery eyes. She shook me. I told my wife that she was the greatest singer I had ever heard, and I'm not sure that I would qualify that even now. I ordered two of her CD's as soon as I could get to the internet and Amazon.com. The studio produced "Runaway Soul" is truly great, and I highly recommend it, but "Stages" is as close to perfection as any human has a right to expect. I agree with the other reviewer. It's the best live CD I own, with the possible exception of "James Brown at the Apollo!" Her rendition of "Oh, Susana," is revelatory. Foster discovers beneath the hokey joy of the tradition tune a transcendently beautiful lament. It is a shockingly insightful performance. Haunting. I could go on and on about other great numbers on the CD, but won't. Just buy it and enjoy it.

Ruthie Foster is THE BEST pure singer I have ever heard. When she sings Walk On and/or Oh Susannah - chills...
I absolutely LOVE HER - not only her singing but her guitar playing also. Check out/download her video at Kerrville from the internet and see her perform. A genius who can sing anything: blues, folk, whatever. I LOVE her - she is my favorite singer. Both her Stages and Runaway Soul albums- whew!!
Wish she would perform on national TV...

This is simply the best live album I have heard! Having seen Ruthie Foster live at the Canmore Folk Fest - Stages stays true to her performance and gives the listener insight in to the fabulous range and style of Ruthie Foster - highly recommended.

As a jazz/blues DJ on community radio in Western Colorado ([...]), this is one of the top 10 female vocal CDs I've ever heard. Not only can Ruthie hold a candle to Etta, Tina, Mavis, and Aretha, she is their equal.

...then you owe it to yourself to buy this album. You won't miss her on stage again: expect goose bumps, and maybe some damp eyes, just listening to the CD. This is one of the best live recordings -- of anyone -- that I have heard. Buy it now, as the first in your collection, and you can tell your friends later: "Ruthie Foster? Oh yeah, I know her music!"

Well I'm just about wild over Ruthie Foster if you haven't gathered that by now. A consummate live performer, this captures many of her earlier (as of this date 7/5/11) road performances. The creative urge flows through her, unfiltered but shaped by a lifetime of experienced craftsmanship.

The full-throated blues throughout this disk will make you want to burn out on the tracks. I really appreciate, as a musician myself, how she can separate carrying on with the audience, telling stories, and keeping the comp going underneath so perfectly. This is a measure of relaxed professionalism that is much admired, and even envied to a certain degree.

I was somewhat taken back by inclusion of a couple of Joni Mitchell songs within this set, as at first listen they would seem outside of her regular style type, but maybe this is a failure on my part to be able to hear these songs as part of her set. But this is a part of her mastery as well; she can make the cerebral stuff work as soulfully as the Stephen Foster rewrite of "Oh Susannah", which was a pure revelation/astonishment to me.

Her singing is a national treasure. If you have not heard of her before, or heard her sing, you owe it to yourself to check out this live set, recorded in three venues.

Blues/soul isn't exactly my favourite type of music but this lady could convert anybody. Ruthie Foster is the "real deal". A great singer - not just a great voice, there are a lot of those, but a great singer too, and I would imagine that she is a great entertainer as well. There aren't too many around like this, so do yourself a favour and buy at least one Ruthie Foster CD and take it from there. I've just ordered the new live one as well.

Ruthie has an awesome voice and she never disappoints! As all her other releases, this one is right up there with the best! Keep the tunes commin' Ruthie!

Up until 6 months or so ago, I had never heard of Ms. Foster. Saw her with Robben Ford and Jorma on the Guitar Blues tour. She was great. Bought her Runaway Soul, Phenomenal album and Stages. Stages is just amazing. The earlier reviews listed here are on the mark. Every song is a gem showcasing the entire package of her talent, energy, and person. I have shared this CD with my friends and they are blown away by it. Ruthie will have a large contingent of these folks at her next area concert. It can't come soon enough.

Its a shame and a deep indictment of today's music industry that this amazing album is virtually unknown and only has a few reviews here. Ruthie Foster is a one woman show. Loaded with talent and an uninhibited performer, all the while being earthy and just a real lovable personality. Her singing is amazing and she will at times remind you of all the greatest female singers of all time. If you read this Do Buy this album, do not hesitate!