Showing posts with label Ruthie Foster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruthie Foster. Show all posts

Friday, August 23, 2024

Ruthie Foster - Mileage

Album: Mileage
Size: 81,8 MB
Time: 35:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Styles: Soul/Blues/Roots
Art: Front

1. Mileage (4:10)
2. Rainbow (3:30)
3. Good For My Soul (3:30)
4. Heartshine (4:49)
5. Slow Down (3:14)
6. Six Mile Water (5:21)
7. That's All Right (2:59)
8. Done (Feat. Larkin Poe) (2:39)
9. Take It Easy (3:15)
10. See You When I See You (Live) (1:52)

As the milestone tenth studio album from blues luminary Ruthie Foster, Mileage finds the singer-songwriter reflecting on a life full of professional triumphs, personal loss, and a musical journey that took a self-described “little Black girl with a guitar” from singing at churches in rural Texas to chalking up multiple Grammy nominations and collaborating with fellow greats such as Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

Working alongside acclaimed producer Tyler Bryant (of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown fame), Foster unveils a collection of songs that was born from heartfelt conversations about her story. When the two native Texans first sat down (joined by Rebecca Lovell, Bryant’s wife and one-half of the duo Larkin Poe) to work on a song together, they were still warming up to each other as songwriters and feeling out the possibility of a full project. As the ideas, lyrics, and melodies began to flow, the album that emerged is one that reverberates with a beautiful creative synergy.

“One of the things I loved most about working with Ruthie was hearing her story,” said Bryant. “Every writing session started with a conversation and my wife Rebecca and I were both continuously inspired by Ruthie’s way of speaking her unique truth in song. I learned quickly to just have the microphones on, ‘cause when Ruthie starts singing, it’s gonna be a moment worth capturing.” Even when she wasn’t singing, it was often the way Ruthie would speak her truth in conversation that became the inspiration for a song. The trio were kicking around the idea of a traveling song and the topic of Ruthie’s age came up. “I told them, ‘Honey, I got mileage!’ and Tyler’s ears perked up,” Ruthie laughs. “He said, ‘That’s a song!’” And thus the wide-open road, wide-open heart title track was born.

The album’s soulful first single, “Rainbow,” is a hopeful message of simply letting love be love. “People ask me what is love?” sings Foster. “I just point to you. People get so hung up; I just run to you.” It’s a powerful message from a queer Black female artist speaking to her journey through love and life. Mileage marks a profound collaboration with Sun Records, intertwining Foster's narrative with the legendary label's rich tapestry of musical history and inviting listeners to embark on a soul-stirring voyage through the heartland of American music. Foster's partnership with Sun signifies a union of past influences and future aspirations, echoing the label's commitment to fostering unique voices and timeless artistry.

With nods to musical legends and heartfelt tributes to her roots, Mileage is more than just an album — it's an invitation to take part in a conversation about memories, emotions, and shared humanity. It’s a reminder that every journey, no matter how far, eventually takes us home.

Mileage mc
Mileage gofile

Friday, November 18, 2022

Ruthie Foster - Healing Time

Size: 110.6 MB
Time: 47:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Blues, Soul, R&B
Art: Front

01. Soul Searching (3:57)
02. Lie Your Way To The Truth (4:14)
03. What Kind Of Fool (4:14)
04. I Was Called (4:19)
05. Paradise (4:08)
06. Don't Want To Give Up On You (2:59)
07. Healing Time (4:01)
08. For You (4:03)
09. Love Is The Answer (4:25)
10. Finish Line (2:54)
11. Feels Like Freedom (3:50)
12. 4Am (4:09)

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and roots music giant Ruthie Foster chronicles the emotional extremes of human life and the essence of what it means on her stunning new full-length release Healing Time.

The new set drops November 18th, 2022 thanks to Blue Corn Music and is the ninth studio effort of Foster’s 25-year career. This time out, she pushes her considerable vocal and songwriting talents beyond all previous boundaries to deliver a live-sounding batch of new music that communicates directly with the hearts of her listeners in a more profound way than ever before. “With this album, I dug deep and tried to go for the best way to write,” Ruthie explains. “This album says a lot about the period we were making it in, and how I wanted to find my way out of it.”

Foster worked with distinguished producers Mark Howard (Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams) and Dan Barrett on the project and tracked it with her rock-solid road band. Pedal steel ace Robert Randolph and slide guitar monster Sonny Landreth also stopped by for guest appearances. Glenn Fukunaga (The Chicks, Shawn Colvin) and other top players from the Austin scene completed the ensemble.

Songwriting was a collaborative situation with previous Foster collaborators Gary Nicholson (Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal) and Grace Pettis, as well as every member of her band. Stylistically, Healing Time vibes like the classic soul sides from Foster’s record collection and creates the same kind of magic the old stars dispensed so easily.

All of this adds up to an album that gives off an overwhelming feeling of love and freedom. Foster has one of the best voices in American music today and she uses it as a healing tonic for our struggling world. Fans have always found healing qualities in Ruthie’s music but this new song cycle operates on a fresh, higher level. Her tones, lyrics, and ideas seem designed to comfort all of the displaced souls of the last few years. In many ways, this is the record that many of us need to hear right now.

Foster opens the set with the irresistible and bittersweet “Soul Searching.” It’s a brilliant song about no longer getting what you need from a relationship and watching the changes happen in real time. Foster’s gift is making people feel the same things she is and she uses it exquisitely here. From her first line of lyrics, she will split your heart wide open and spill out the pain and acceptance needed for life to go on. The musicians behind her are just as powerful and spin up a vibration that comes straight from those old records you’ll never stop listening to.

The atmospheric “Lie Your Way To The Truth” is another emotional ocean that hits like an old-school gem. It’s an all-too-familiar tale of deception in love and the need to walk away. Foster sees through the illusions that have been perpetrated on her with an intense melancholy in her voice that only comes from many lessons learned.

“I Was Called” is one of several songs here with a gospel heart. Ruthie excels at this kind of inspirational material and she testifies on it for all she’s worth. When she leans into her belt in the chorus and soars, she goes where few can follow. The gospel choir singing with her is also stellar and will make you believe. The song shifts from a tense, minor key verse to a righteous, major key refrain that feels like a ray of sun breaking through storm clouds. Make sure you get up close so you can let it touch you.

Foster’s title cut “Healing Time” is an upbeat, encouraging song about what many folks have been through in recent times and the necessary roles that artists play in gluing spirits back together. Robert Randolph rocks his steel guitar on it like a boss and makes a wonderful foil to Foster’s epic voice.

Healing Time is transcendent from end to end and may well be Foster’s finest record yet. There’s a sense of purpose that comes through these songs that can’t be denied. Foster seems to feel that the best thing she can do for all of us right now is to sing us back to life and she’s absolutely correct. If you are dragging through endless lost and broken days, spin this and let Ruthie lead you to the light. ~Mike O’Cul

Healing Time MP3
Healing Time FLAC

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Ruthie Foster - Live At The Paramount

Size: 149,5 MB
Time: 64:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Blues Soul
Art: Front

01. Introduction (Live) (1:09)
02. Brand New Day (Live) (2:57)
03. Might Not Be Right (Live) (4:07)
04. Ring Of Fire (Live) (3:32)
05. Stone Love (Live) (5:21)
06. The Ghetto (Live) (5:09)
07. Death Came A Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes) (Live) (5:28)
08. Singin' The Blues (Live) (3:43)
09. Runaway Soul (Live) (7:25)
10. Woke Up This Morning (Live) (3:30)
11. Joy Comes Back (Live) (5:45)
12. Phenomenal Woman (Live) (5:28)
13. Fly Me To The Moon (Live) (3:17)
14. Mack The Knife (Live) (7:16)

Comfort zones are sweet spots. That’s why they’re so easy to stay in. But Ruthie Foster refuses to get too cozy; she’d rather plot escapes from hers than dwell there. Breaking out wasn’t enough for her latest album, however. This time, she wanted to step out — and on the night of January 26, 2019, she did, right onto the 105-year-old stage of Austin’s grand-dame Paramount Theater, where she fronted a guitarist, keyboardist, bassist and drummer, plus 10 horn players, three backing vocalists and one conductor. And one adorable daughter handling the introduction. The recorded result is Live at the Paramount, featuring Ms. Ruthie Foster and the Ruthie Foster Big Band.

For nearly 25 years, Foster has moved us with her powerful blues, soul and gospel vocals and eloquent songwriting, which have earned her accolades including three consecutive Grammy nominations and nine Blues Music Awards, plus fans all over the world. But Foster, it turns out, has harbored a hankering to further explore this long dormant, and little-known, facet of her talent. So she decided her ninth album for the Houston-based Blue Corn Music label would swing back to the days (and nights) when Lady Ella sang Ellington and Sinatra blasted off with Count Basie and Quincy Jones. Live at the Paramount will be released on May 15, 2020.

Those lucky enough to be in the house that night can be heard cheering delightedly as Foster, wearing a sparkly blue gown, starts grooving her way through conductor John Mills’ Frank ’n’ Quincy-styled arrangement of “Fly Me to the Moon.” But then she unleashes an even bigger thrill: a truly stellar “Mack the Knife,” also arranged by Mills, who teaches jazz composition at University of Texas-Austin. As Foster joyfully scats and semi-adlibs her way through that legendary murder ballad, she invokes both Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong — simultaneously — and name-drops the man who made it a No. 1 hit: Bobby Darin. Of course, she tears the house down. But that’s hardly her first standing O of the night.

By the time she delivers those encores, Foster has already dazzled the crowd with several originals and striking covers charted by celebrated arranger John Beasley (Miles Davis, Steely Dan, American Idol). Foster says she gave him free rein, with just a few instructions — including one request for the opener, “Brand New Day.” That one begins with a ring-shout and swells into full gospel blues, then bursts into a New Orleans strut. That was her idea: Foster wanted to evoke a festive church-meeting vibe “with everybody coming in … the women with hats, everybody clapping.”

She heads toward Memphis for the easy soul of her co-write with William Bell, “It Might Not Be Right,” then sets up her next one with the line, “This is not your grandfather’s ‘Ring of Fire.’” No, indeed. This “Fire” has more in common with Roberta Flack or Sadé than Johnny Cash; instead of crackling with danger, it smolders slowly, like warmly glowing embers.

“I love to watch people’s faces when they realize that’s what’s coming off the stage,” Foster says. On the track, she jokes afterward, “Well, that was smooth. I was wantin’ to sit down and have a drink.”

That’s how Foster, raised on gospel in tiny Gause, Texas, wound up joining Navy Band Southeast, an umbrella for several smaller bands, in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We all crossed over into each other’s bands,” she explains. “It was really based on whatever they needed.” So Foster learned to sing with big-band and jazz ensembles in addition to her main band, the top-40 pop/rock/funk/urban band Pride.

Before Charleston, she had to spend six months training at the Naval School of Music in Virginia. The school library, she discovered, had archival tapes of every USO tour. “You could hear people like Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson, all on reel-to-reel tapes,” Foster recalls. “I spent a lot of time just listening and studying.” She wanted to figure out how to sing around the domineering sound of all that brass.

On Live at the Paramount, Foster and company do the dance expertly. As for why it’s happening now, Foster says the desire had been percolating for a while, and after releasing several studio albums that started to feel somewhat similar, she needed to mix it up some.

“To me, it was like this challenge. I just thought it would be fun, too, because it was just so much fun to front a big band,” she confesses. “You can’t out-sing an 18- to 20-piece band.”

This is Ruthie Foster. All she has to do is open her mouth. With Beasley’s arrangements pushing new life into the Marcia Ball-inspired “Stone Love,” the must-have “bona-fide blues” of “Runaway Soul” and “Singin’ the Blues,” the sanctified gospel of “Joy Comes Back” and the still-relevant message of “Phenomenal Woman,” she could blow the marquee off the building.

For Foster, though, it’s also about breathing life into a currently under-exposed style. “I loved Sinatra, the way he would handle a band like that,” she says. “It’s just a real art form. We need to put it out there in front of people so they realize it. And there’s a glamor behind it, too. I got a chance to wear a gown at the end of the night and be a sophisticated lady.”

And now that she has these arrangements, she’s ready to keep using them. She even mentions booking a Ruthie Foster Big Band New Year’s Eve show — and perhaps starting a new annual tradition.

Might as well. She’s already got the gown. ~Martine Ehrenclou

Live At The Paramount MP3
Live At The Paramount FLAC

Monday, March 30, 2020

VA - Blues Singles Collection Vol. 1

Size: 259,3 MB
Time: 113:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Blues

01 Connor Selby - (Move Me) Like That Good Ol' Rock & Roll (4:27)
02 Lilly Martin - Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City (3:27)
03 Sari Schorr - Back To LA (Single Edit) (3:32)
04 David Bromberg - Big Road (4:24)
05 Chris Kramer - Corona Roads (3:17)
06 Geoff Achison - Eyes On The Prize (4:04)
07 The Bros. Landreth & Mariel Buckley - Goodbye (3:51)
08 Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Hello My Old Friend (5:33)
09 Larkin Poe - Holy Ghost Fire (3:22)
10 Dani Wilde - Howling At The Moon (4:46)
11 Steve Earle - John Henry Was A Steel Drivin’ Man (3:28)
12 Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne & Dawn Tyler Watson - Just Do It! (3:46)
13 Gina Sicilia - Lose My Head (3:06)
14 Seasick Steve - Love & Peace (5:59)
15 Jono Manson & Joan Osborne - Loved Me Into Loving Again (4:21)
16 Ruthie Foster - Mack The Knife (Live) (7:16)
17 Wilson Pickett - Many Roads To Travel (6:31)
18 Nuno Mindelis - Monami Zeca (4:45)
19 Robert Jon & The Wreck - Oh Miss Carolina (4:12)
20 Ruthie Foster - Phenomenal Woman (Live) (5:28)
21 John 'Papa' Gros - Please Don't Bury Me (3:23)
22 John Kay - Rain Love Sun - John Kay (2:12)
23 Larkin Poe - She's A Self Made Man (3:01)
24 John Primer & Bob Corritore - The Gypsy Woman Told Me (3:35)
25 The Reverend Shawn Amos, The Brotherhood, Ruthie Foster - Troubled Man (3:35)
26 Lazer Lloyd & Tyler James Boer - We're Gonna Make It (2020 Field Sessions) (3:22)
27 The Bros. Landreth & Mariel Buckley - When I Call Your Name (4:21)

A collection of blues singles released in March 2020 done by myself.

Blues Singles Collection Vol. 1

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Ruthie Foster - Runaway Soul

Year: 2002
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:32
Size: 95,7 MB
Styles: Blues, roots
Scans: Front, sleeve, tray

1. Runaway Soul (3:59)
2. Woke Up This Morning (3:55)
3. Smalltown Blues (3:20)
4. Home (4:14)
5. Hole In My Pocket (4:41)
6. Give You My Love (4:29)
7. Ocean Of Fears (Mama) (3:55)
8. Walk On (4:36)
9. Death Came A-Knockin (Travelin' Shoes) (3:22)
10. Joy (4:55)

Dedicating one song to her late father who passed away in January 2002, Ruthie Foster's vocals mix gospel with a healthy helping of Texas blues in the vein of Bonnie Raitt or occasionally Melissa Etheridge. The mid-tempo opener, "Runaway Soul," is a solid beginning with harmonica and Hammond organ. Her softer side is also shown in some delightful harmonies. "Woke Up This Mornin'" has a Sunday church feeling, slowly building into a funky Southern track with a choir-like harmony.

"Smalltown Blues" takes more of an acoustic slant, featuring mainly Foster and acoustic guitar dominating the tune. Foster rarely takes a wrong turn on the album, knowing her strengths and playing to them. "Home" is a soulful tune that has a tremendous and effortless flow, despite the rather heavy spiritual theme. "Hole in My Pocket," however, treads on similar ground, resulting in the track being a bit more stagnant and difficult to appreciate.

One trait that makes the album very cohesive is how organic each song sounds, not slick over-produced radio fodder. "Give You My Love" has somewhat of an Elton John vibe, whether it's the melody or the song's structure. "Ocean of Tears (Mama)" has subtle but distinctive Latin percussion and rhythm in the style of Santana's "Black Magic Woman." Foster tends to be a bit more theatrical here vocally, but not enough to ruin the effort.

"Death Came A-Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes)," the track dedicated to her father, is perhaps the album's highlight. The mix of somber lyrics with a moody arrangement makes the best of an otherwise depressing topic. "Joy," which features Foster accompanied by Terri Hendrix, is an upbeat roots gospel rave-up that mixes the Austin sound with some Bible belt harmonies. If these ten "hymns" are a sign of things to come from Foster, they're certainly welcome. /Jason MacNeil, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Runaway Soul mc
Runaway Soul zippy

Monday, July 2, 2018

Ruthie Foster - Live At Antone's

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:12
Size: 174.4 MB
Styles: Folk-blues, Texas blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[ 4:07] 1. Stone Love
[ 5:01] 2. I Really Love You
[ 2:37] 3. (You Keep Me) Moving On
[ 5:13] 4. Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In The Air)
[ 5:03] 5. Runaway Soul
[ 4:16] 6. Fruits Of My Labor
[ 4:16] 7. When It Don't Come Easy
[ 6:01] 8. Back To The Blues
[ 5:50] 9. Nickel And A Nail
[ 5:48] 10. Heal Yourself
[ 5:36] 11. Woke Up This Mornin'
[ 5:37] 12. Phenomenal Woman
[11:22] 13. Death Came A-Knockin'
[ 5:18] 14. Ocean Of Tears

Texas native Ruthie Foster contends as one of this generation's finest singers. Her voice is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin. Foster's songwriting also deserves honorable mention. Her six solo albums contain a wealth of material. Her studio album--The Truth According To Ruthie Foster--at Ardent Studios in Memphis earned Foster a Grammy nomination.

Live at Antone's encapsulates Foster's inimitable blend of soul, gospel and blues music. Foster only sings three of her own original compositions on this live recording. Her band on Live at Antone's includes guitarist Hadden Sayers, keyboardist Scotty Miller, bassist Tonya Richardson and drummer Samantha Banks.

Live At Antone's mc
Live At Antone's zippy

Friday, September 29, 2017

Mitch Woods - Friends Along The Way (Bonus Track Edition)

Size: 173,0 MB
Time: 73:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

01. Take This Hammer (Feat. Van Morrison & Taj Mahal) (6:04)
02. CC Rider (Feat. Van Morrison & Taj Mahal) (5:38)
03. Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket (Feat. Elvin Bishop) (4:06)
04. Singin' The Blues (Feat. Ruthie Foster) (4:02)
05. Mother In Law Blues (Feat. John Hammond) (3:19)
06. Cryin' For My Baby (Feat. Charlie Musselwhite) (6:42)
07. Nasty Boogie (Feat. Joe Louis Walker) (3:58)
08. Empty Bed Blues (Feat. Maria Muldaur) (4:53)
09. Bluesmobile (Feat. Kenny Neil) (3:27)
10. The Blues (Feat. Cyril Neville) (5:38)
11. Saturday Night Boogie Woogie Man (Feat. Elvin Bishop) (2:55)
12. Blues Gave Me A Ride (Feat. Charlie Musselwhite) (2:27)
13. Chicago Express (Feat. James Cotton) (2:29)
14. Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive (Feat. John Lee Hooker) (5:11)
15. Midnight Hour Blues (Feat. Van Morrison & Taj Mahal) (4:30)
16. In The Night (Feat. Marcia Ball) (2:58)
17. Take This Hammer (Feat. Van Morrison & Taj Mahal) (Radio Version) (5:18)

The theme of friendship has carried Mitch Woods along through his career and has led him to this, his current duets and trios project…. Friends Along The Way. Featuring Guests: Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, Joe Louis Walker, Maria Muldaur, Cyril Neville, Marcia Ball, John Hammond, Kenny Neal, James Cotton, John Lee Hooker and more… Mitch Woods has delivered a career spanning tour de force. What you hear on these songs is a simple duo or trio of musicians each expressing their innermost feelings and emotions through their instrument….the voice, piano, guitar, harmonica, tambourine…anything that can communicate the feelings, the rhythms of life to the audience. Friends Along The Way finds Mitch reaching into his historical sense of music. He reaches backwards to the roots rather than forward for his inspiration. This shines through on the first single “Take This Hammer” featuring a stunning vocal performance from Van Morrison and backed on guitar by Taj Mahal and of course Mitch Woods on piano. With Friends Along The Way, Mitch wanted to get a chance to play with some of his contemporaries in an intimate and mostly unplugged environment. The piano as an instrument lends itself to this format so perfectly. Mitch can play rhythm, lead, bass, and sing while accompanying some of his friends, who happen to be today’s blues and musical greats. It is a great instrument for bringing out the best of these awesome artists who are keeping the blues flame burning for generations to come. Some say music is a gift. It is a gift, not only to the person who performs it but to the world. The musicians you hear in these songs have spent a lifetime doing what they love to do….play music. Enjoy…this album is Mitch Wood’s gift to you.

Friends Along The Way

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Scottie Miller Band - Stay Above Water

Size: 114,5 MB
Time: 49:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Blues Soul, Blues Funk, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Burned All My Bridges (3:48)
02. Keep This Good Thing Going (Feat. Ruthie Foster) (5:00)
03. Stay Above Water (3:41)
04. Falter (3:46)
05. Same Page (3:13)
06. It Better Groove (4:44)
07. Guardian Angel (3:59)
08. Circles (4:37)
09. It's What You Do (4:08)
10. Rippin' & Runnin' (3:29)
11. Come Along (4:35)
12. Goodbye (4:02)

Blues-Pianist, singer-songwriter Scottie Miller hit’s a home run with his tenth and most powerful release to date. He is well known for his keyboard and mandolin playing while touring with three-time Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster, (who is featured on track #2 of this CD.) Scottie and Ruthie recently co-wrote a song “I Was Called” which is featured on the upcoming 2017 release by the multi-Grammy award winning gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama. Produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos).

“Stay Above Water” comes at a time when Scottie’s career and songwriting are at its very best. Featuring his veteran band of the past seventeen years which include Mark O’Day on drums, Patrick Allen on guitar-vocals, and Dik Shopteau on Bass guitar and vocals. The band is strong and tight, as they skillfully support the wide range of blues-rock-funk and soul music contained within these twelve original, hit-tracks.

“I had the album on loop in the car today. Great stuff. Really great album. Could well be my favorite so far this year.”
- Roger Allen. The Blues & Soul Show, London.

“Southern soul infected...waves of sunshine...crushing rock riffs...heavy groove.”
Roger & Margaret White. Big City Blues Magazine

“An outstanding singer and songwriter...intense and incendiary all-original blues rock.”
- Marty Gunther. Blues Blast Magazine

“Sounds like Dr. John meets The Band at Bruce Springsteen’s house.”
- Tom Hyslop - Blues Revue Magazine

Stay Above Water

Friday, March 24, 2017

Ruthie Foster - Joy Comes Back

Size: 99,6 MB
Time: 42:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Blues, Soul, Gospel, Country
Art: Front

01. What Are You Listening To (4:17)
02. Working Woman (4:00)
03. Joy Comes Back (4:31)
04. Open Sky (4:24)
05. Good Sailor (3:04)
06. War Pigs (4:35)
07. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever (4:13)
08. Richland Woman Blues (3:51)
09. Abraham (4:41)
10. Forgiven (4:44)

To prove the point that one can go home again, Ruthie Foster returned to the small church in Caldwell, Texas, where she began, singing hymns in the choir, in search of inspiration for Joy Comes Back. For Foster, singing gospel and soul is a birthright, blues and country her second nature; the vast Americana musical landscape being her backyard.

After years on the road, Foster chose to record at neighbor and producer Daniel Barrett's studio in Austin, giving the album a comfortable, laid back feeling. Totally in her comfort zone, and with the uncanny ability to sing anything, Foster opens with the country hit "What Are You Listening To ?" and quickly takes the song into another orbit. There are high praises for the "Working Woman," written by Grace Pettis, a rocking empowerment dedicated to the female workforce; Pettis also penned "Good Sailor," which utilizes sailing imagery as analogies for life experiences.

The title track features Derek Trucks on slide guitar, and is presented as a testifying hymn, with Foster reaching deep into her gospel heritage. "Open Sky," the only original included, is a soft, swaying breeze highlighting her romantic side, which continues on the Four Tops cover, "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever." In stark contrast, "War Pigs," the classic metal protest anthem by Black Sabbath, is converted into a hard power blues, complemented by a reverb driven harmonica, courtesy of Simon Wallace.

Down home country blues is Foster territory, and Mississippi John Hurt's "Richland Woman Blues," has her playing dobro, accompanied by superb fiddle playing and mandolin picking from Warren Hood, for a toe tapping, good time number. She switches back into a more solemn role on "Abraham," the Shawnee Kilgore opus on Lincoln, the president, which casts a light on the political turmoil currently embroiling the nation. Foster's upbringing in church singing gave her a natural sense of when and how to convey serious lyrics, and she displays this remarkably well on the ballad "Forgiven." As she recovers from a dissolved relationship, she has chosen the high ground, choosing to forgive rather than hold bitterness and anger, yet it's time to move on.

With her seamless navigation between soul, blues, country, gospel and rock, Ruthie Foster has offered another testament to what makes her a unique voice in American music. As is the case with the best in this business, she did it before it was a business, when singing and playing music was her life, nurtured by a loving family, and a harmonious church environment. She is a natural, and is the consummate professional, an evolutionary artist at the crest of her craft, with the sound of truth and courage in her voice. ~James Nadal

Personnel: Ruthie Foster: lead vocals, acoustic guitar; Daniel Barrett: guitar, bass, percussion, keys; Joe Vitale: drums (1, 4, 10); Larry Fulcher: bass (1, 6); Frank LoCrasto: keys (1, 4, 5, 7, 10); Dennis Bee: drums (2, 5, 6, 7, 9); Grace Pettis: acoustic guitar (2, 5) backing vocals (5); Sheree Smith: backing vocals (2, 7); Mark Epstein: upright bass ( 3, 8) Willie Weeks: bass (4); Derek Trucks: slide guitar (3); Eric Holden: bass (10); Simon Wallace: harmonica (6); Nicholas Ryland : keys (9), backing vocals (7); Samantha Banks: spoons (8); Kim Deschamps: pedal steel (10); Brian Standefer: cello (10); Warren Hood: fiddle, mandolin (8).

Joy Comes Back

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Fabrizio Poggi - Fabrizio Poggi & The Amazing Texas Blues Voices

Size: 110,3 MB
Time: 47:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Nobody's Fault But Mine (Feat. Carolyn Wonderland) (3:37)
02. Walk On (Feat. Ruthie Foster) (4:56)
03. Forty Days And Forty Nights (Feat. Mike Zitto) (4:48)
04. Rough Edges (Feat. W.C. Clark) (3:49)
05. Mississippi, My Home (Feat. Lavelle White) (7:59)
06. Neighbor Neighbor (Feat. Bobby Mack) (5:13)
07. Many In Body (Feat. Mike Cross) (4:05)
08. Welcome Home (Feat. Shelley King) (4:59)
09. Wishin' Well (Feat. Mike Cross) (3:31)
10. Run On (Feat. Guy Forsyth) (4:00)

Fabrizio Poggi singer, Hohner Award harmonica player, traveller, musicologist, writer, journalist and amazing performer, has recorded fifteen albums, mostly in USA. Fabrizio’s performances have been described as dramatic, totally captivating, amazing, engaging and soulful with a sound truly unique.

He during his long career has played at the most prestigious clubs and festivals in Europe and USA performing on stage or on his own recordings with legendary artists as: Garth Hudson, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Charlie Musselwhite, Flaco Jiménez, Little Feat, Otis Taylor, Eric Andersen, Blues Brothers Band, Bob Margolin, James Cotton, Robert Plant, Robben Ford, Tony McPhee, Doug MacLeod, Mitch Woods, Eddie Bo, Super Chickan, and many others..

Live At Fabrizio Poggi & The Amazing Texas Blues Voices

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Jeff Plankenhorn - Soulslide

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:20
Size: 99.2 MB
Styles: Roots, Electric blues
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[3:26] 1. Lose My Mind
[3:26] 2. You Got Me Hummin' (Feat. Malford Milligan)
[5:39] 3. Trouble Find Me
[2:57] 4. Like Flowers (With Ruthie Foster)
[2:59] 5. Dirty Flower
[1:28] 6. Kansas City Nocturne
[3:31] 7. Born To Win
[3:17] 8. Vagabond Moonlight (Feat. The Resentments)
[5:16] 9. Mockingbird Blues
[4:41] 10. Headstrong
[3:06] 11. Live Today (Feat. The Resentments)
[3:28] 12. Walking In The Sun

Jeff Plankenhorn (or "the Plank," as he is known in music circles) is a singer/songwriter/bandleader/multi-instrumentalist who can be seen and heard regularly in Austin with The Jeff Plankenhorn Band featuring Yoggie, Brannen Temple, and Phil Redmond. Jeff also plays regularly in Austin and tours around the country and world with Joe Ely. Jeff is a music producer and his latest project is the cd "The Only Open Road," the debut album from local guitar slinger Will Knaak. He scores soundtracks and can be heard throughout the new release, The Road To Austin," which is opening up in select theaters around the country and just had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2014. He has toured with and played on records for Ray Wylie Hubbard, Malford Milligan, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves, Bob Schneider, Joe Ely, and many, many more. Jeff is also co-founder of "Empyreal Instruments" where he has developed and designed his signature guitar/lap steel with his distinct style and standing neckstrap incorporated.

Soulslide mc
Soulslide zippy

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Pat Boyack - 2 albums: On The Prowl / Voices From The Street

Like so many guitarists of his generation, Pat Boyack traced his initial fascination with the blues back to his early admiration of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Born June 26, 1967 in Helper, Utah, Boyack's tastes as a teen originally ran more along the lines of Van Halen and Kiss, but soon he became so immersed in the contemporary Texas blues sound that he eventually relocated to Dallas to pursue a musical career of his own. In 1993, he relocated to the Phoenix area, where he formed the bar band Rocket 88s with vocalist/harpist Jimmy Morello; after the group dissolved, Boyack returned to Dallas, where he eventually formed the blues-rock unit the Prowlers with bassist John Garza and drummer Doug Swancy. After issuing their debut effort Armed and Dangerous in 1993, the Prowlers welcomed Morello into their ranks, and Breakin' In followed in late 1994. After 1996's On the Prowl, the band fell apart, and Boyack assembled a new supporting cast for his 1997 solo debut, Super Blue and Funky. ~bio by Jason Ankeny

Album: Pat Boyack & The Prowlers - On The Prowl
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:50
Size: 114.1 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[4:12] 1. Sugar
[5:33] 2. Mr. Lucky
[4:46] 3. I Know It's Over
[4:39] 4. Mean Jealous Woman
[4:14] 5. Sneakin' Out
[3:03] 6. Preacher Man
[4:21] 7. Cleanin' Out My Closet
[3:51] 8. What You Do To Me
[3:15] 9. Get Out
[3:52] 10. Goin' To Chicago
[4:01] 11. Mr. Moondog Man
[3:58] 12. Shuck'n'jive

On The Prowl

Album: Voices From The Street
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:15
Size: 131.0 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[0:11] 1. Revolution
[3:10] 2. Listen To Me (W Marcia Ball)
[3:42] 3. Misery (W Ruthie Foster)
[3:42] 4. The Power Is Gone (W W.C. Clark)
[3:34] 5. Chance At Love (W Sweetpea Atkinson)
[3:25] 6. Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further? (W Larry Fulcher)
[3:52] 7. Ain't That A Shame (W Sweetpea Atkinson)
[3:51] 8. First Comes The Grievin' (W W.C. Clark)
[2:53] 9. Feel Like Goin' On (W Ruthie Foster)
[3:04] 10. Sexy Coffeepot
[4:00] 11. These Are People (W Marcia Ball)
[3:29] 12. Shotgun Slim (W Sweetpea Atkinson)
[4:22] 13. Pushin' On (W Ruthie Foster)
[5:12] 14. Time (Has Come Today) (W Everybody)
[8:41] 15. Little By Little

Voices From The Street

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Ruthie Foster - Promise Of A Brand New Day

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 100.1 MB
Styles: Blues gospel, Country soul
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:43] 1. Singing The Blues
[4:01] 2. Let Me Know
[3:26] 3. My Kinda Lover
[3:56] 4. The Ghetto
[4:47] 5. Outlaw
[2:49] 6. Second Coming
[3:22] 7. It Might Not Be Right
[3:25] 8. Learning To Fly
[4:56] 9. Believe
[2:13] 10. Brand New Day
[3:51] 11. Complicated Love
[3:10] 12. New

There is optimism within the title of Ruthie Foster's Promise of a Brand New Day, an optimism that's reflected in the music itself. Some of this brightness may be due to Foster's decision to have Meshell Ndegeocello produce this 2014 album, giving the neo-soul singer free rein to hire musicians and choose final takes, but Ndegeocello is hardly imposing her own attitude on Foster. Instead, she focuses on the soulful, kind vibe emanating from Foster, a feeling that infuses the message tunes and songs of love that comprise Promise. Often, the record veers ever so slightly to soul over gospel or blues -- something that's perhaps inevitable when William Bell collaborates on "It Might Not Be Right," a song that harks back to the classic Memphis sound. A few other songs on Promise of a Brand New Day touch upon that groove, including the opening "Singing the Blues," while other cuts get a little bit harder and grittier ("Let Me Know," "Believe"), and Foster also has a bit of fun twisting old Dylan lyrics on "Outlaw." That playfulness is subtle, as are the stylistic hybrids, and that might be the best thing about this thoroughly winning record: Foster is wearing her open heart on her sleeve but she's never pushing too hard, never overselling her message; she's charming with her warmth and sly skill. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Promise Of A Brand New Day mc
Promise Of A Brand New Day zippy