Merrimack Hall welcomes the truly phenomenal Ruthie Foster to the stage on July 17. Writer Dan Aquilante compares this awe-inspiring songstress' "deep gritty voice" to Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin and even declares "her cover of Lucinda Williams' 'Fruits of My Labor' tops the original."
Already adored in her native Texas, Foster is poised for international success. Her 2005 'Runaway Soul' put her on the map with folk tastemakers but it's her dip into Al Green and Sam Cooke stylings on 'Phenomenal' that will project her to heavyweight status.
"This CD," she says, "is what happens when all the elements come together and you just get out of the way and let the groove go, you know? I learned a lot about just getting out of my own way."
That goes for the subject matter, too, with Foster originals like "Harder Than the Fall" and "I Don't Know What to Do With My Heart" revealing a level of personal vulnerability that she'd previously shied away from sharing.
"This record's all about what I've been through these last couple of years here, and then some. There was a lot of emotional stuff left over from all that that I'd been carrying around with me, and I managed to write a few songs and find a few songs from other people that really say it all. But that kind of had me holding back on the whole project, because it's hard to put your life into a record like that and really expose yourself. 'Harder Than the Fall' was about my last relationship, and 'I Don't Know What to Do With My Heart' was about a relationship before that. You're not so sure you want people to be able to see your vulnerability like that, but in the end it's necessary, because that's how you get past those things. And, by putting these songs on the record, it's kind of a way of letting them go out and heal somebody else out there who may need to hear them."
After the healing comes empowerment, which brings us to what is arguably The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster's most powerful statement: "Phenomenal Woman," a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou originally set to music by Canadian artist Amy Sky and David Pickell.
"I'm a big, big fan of Maya Angelou," says Foster. "I grew up wanting to be a poet. So running across this poem in a song was just beautiful to me. I had to record that one, because to me, that's the essence of where I'm at right now. I know God ain't done with me yet, but I'm feeling pretty good. I've got a lot to say and a lot to share, and I'm going to keep doing it through music. And the message in 'Phenomenal Woman' - I think every woman should feel that."
"Foster's deeply soulful vocals dip into gospel and swing toward contemporary folk with R&B panache. When she sings a cappella, the heavens part."
Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle
“She’s got a right to brag. Foster is a natural-born singer with a voice that is potent, unfussy, and, at times, deeply moving.” Renee Graham, Boston Globe
“The spiritual indestructibility is conveyed through the power of Foster's voice—a clear, sterling instrument sparkling with elements of a young Tina Turner and Joan Armatrading . ...a knockout album.”
Rashod Ollison, Baltimore Sun
“her talent is universal with no pretense. ...she is a holy Anita Baker ... as bold as Nina Simone... The evocations go on and on...” Roberta Penn, Seattle Post Intelligencer
"Foster has a deep gritty voice with a little Janis and some Aretha that will please discerning soul and rock fans. Her cover of Lucinda Williams' 'Fruits of My Labor' tops the original." Dan Aquilante, NY Post "New Faces For '07"
