Ruthie Foster - Let It Burn [Digipak] [1/31] *

Artist:

Foster, Ruthie

UPC:

677967120128

Description:

Personnel: Ruthie Foster (vocals); Dave Easley (pedal steel guitar); James Rivers (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Ike Stubblefield (piano, Hammond b-3 organ); George Porter, Jr. (electric bass); Russell Batiste (drums).
Audio Mixer: Wesley Fontenot.
Recording information: Piety Street Recording, New Orleans, LA.
One of the gospel-blues scene`s best-kept secrets for over a decade, Texan singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster finally achieved some long-overdue mainstream recognition when her 2009 sixth studio effort, The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, picked up a Grammy nomination. By putting down the guitar and concentrating entirely on her vocals for the first time in her career, her follow-up, Let It Burn, suggests she means business. It`s a wise move, as her impassioned, soulful tones have always been her main selling point, and backed by an impressive array of musicians, including the Meters` rhythm section and legendary gospel act the Blind Boys of Alabama, they`re allowed the freedom to showcase their versatility, whether it`s channeling the velvety smoothness of Anita Baker on the atmospheric blues of John Martyn`s "Don`t Want to Know," matching the power of Aretha Franklin on the a cappella rendition of early 20th century folk standard "The Titanic," or echoing the spiritual leanings of Carleen Anderson on the harmony-driven opener "Welcome Home." Alongside the groove-laden old-school R&B of "Aim for the Heart" and the pure gospel of "Lord Remember Me," the latter is the only original composition, but John Chelew`s inspired production ensures there`s still plenty of invention elsewhere. Johnny Cash`s "Ring of Fire" is rendered almost unrecognizable thanks to a gorgeously shimmering and reverb-laden arrangement, Pete Seeger`s "If I Had a Hammer" is transformed into an authentic slice of New Orleans jazz, while Ike Stubblefield`s rich organ riffs lend a hymnal quality to the likes of the Band`s "It Makes No Difference" and the William Bell duet "You Don`t Miss Your Water." Effortlessly classy covers of Adele`s "Set Fire to the Rain" and the Black Keys` "Everlasting Light" show she isn`t averse to more contemporary fare. But whichever era Foster picks and chooses from, Let It Burn always feels utterly timeless. ~ Jon O`Brien

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Welcome Home - (featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama)
2. Set Fire to the Rain
3. This Time
4. You Don`t Miss Your Water - (featuring William Bell)
5. Everlasting Light
6. Lord Remember Me - (featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama)
7. Ring of Fire
8. Aim for the Heart
9. It Makes No Difference
10. Long Time Gone - (featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama)
11. Don`t Want to Know
12. If I Had a Hammer
13. Titanic, The

Album Information

Release Date:

01/31/2012

Type:

Performer

Genre:

R&B

Subgenre:

Soul

Label:

Relativity Entertainment

Producer:

John Chelew

Catalog Number:

BCM 1281

Original Release Year:

2012

# of Discs:

1

Runtime:

52 : 59

Guest Artist:

Blind Boys of Alabama; William Bell

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