Hug and Misses: Ruthie Foster

The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster is a delight, with not one filler track; every song, every note is meaningful and�dare I state it in the presence of all of us hipster serious music listeners�entertaining!  It�s soul, folk and blues, with an emphasis on soul�dig Ruthie�s Wurlitzer electric piano.  The songs were written by blues icon Son House, gospel/blues singer/guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Lucinda Williams, Ruthie herself and others.  By the way, Ms. Foster, despite the �phenomenal� in the CD�s title, is one of the least egotistical performers you�ll find on the circuit (she played the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA, where I hang out, earlier this year, so I know firsthand).  The �phenomenal� is apparently from one of the tracks��Phenomenal Woman,� with words by Maya Angelou�and also a kind of gentle joke.  In the world of �hugs and misses,� this is a HUGE HUG�it�s fab, with a kind of playful Al Green feel that ages well. 

Check out Stephen Louis Hug�s blog at http://backstageatthenarrows.blogspot.com/

Tags: Reviews, Ruthie Foster