Track Listing

1. 'Cuz I'm Here
2. Heal Yourself
3. Fruits of My Labor
4. People Grinnin' in Your Face
5. Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)
6. Harder Than the Fall
7. Beaver Creek Blues
8. Mama Said
9. Phenomenal Woman
10. Friend Like You
11. I Don't Know What to Do with My Heart

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3497 in Music
• Released on: 2007-02-06
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Ruthie Foster's the newest voice in old-school soul. Her fifth album is a remarkable flashback to the genre's '60s and '70s heyday, framing her warm butter-and-cayenne-pepper singing with organ, electric piano, shimmering guitar textures, and strong backbeats. That sound, along with her strength as a song interpreter--rippling with beauty on Lucinda Williams's "Fruits of My Labor," stunningly emotional on Son House's cautionary Delta spiritual "People Grinnin' in Your Face"--and her fine-tuned social politics, makes Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, and Nina Simone reasonable artistic references. For the 42-year-old Texan, this historic approach is new. Until now she's been an obscure acoustic-guitar-wielding singer-songwriter. And, indeed, the evocative lyricism of her own tunes "Harder Than the Fall," "Heal Yourself," and "Beaver Creek Blues" is clearly the work of an experienced craftsperson. But the performances on this elegant album, made under the tutelage of imaginative and empathetic Austin-based producer Malcolm Welbourne, live up to its boastful title, and seem destined to bring Foster the larger audience she deserves. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews

A phenomenal CD from a phenomenal woman
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.

Best Kept Secret
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.

phenomenal
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.