The Truth According to Ruthie Foster

Ruthie Foster has plenty of soul in her voice and the funky music she enjoys, enough to spread around to many listeners of populist contemporary blues and beyond. Blessed with solid chops and a style to match, Foster brings down the house on this set of tunes that crosses over to dance music through acoustic folk-pop at times, and most certainly rock & roll. With electric guitarist Robben Ford, keyboardist Jim Dickinson in one of his last studio efforts before passing away, and a horn section steeped in Memphis R&B, Foster has a very potent band to support and lift her up. Two Eric Bibb songs "Love in the Middle" and "Thanks for the Joy" have Foster offering opposite energy patterns in a slow love song or rocker mode, respectively. Patty Griffin's "When It Don't Come Easy" is a folk-pop amalgam via Dickinson's old-school Wurlitzer organ. Except for the reggae-infused "I Really Love You," the rest of the material is good-time, upbeat music that allows Foster and her audience many energized moments. Her tune "Truth" is easily the hit of the set, a groove biscuit anthem where she offers premises such as that real-deal honesty is something you can't find in most places, but in fact is always right where you are. This is a fully realized project, and recognized as such by a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2009. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi