CD Reviews

Let It Burn

Ruthie Foster

Blue Corn Music

Ruthie Foster is an exceptional musician with a voice of pure gold. Her singing is filled with passion and can lift your spirits or have you crying along with her pain. Exactly what you want from a vocalist. Somebody that can bring out in their expressions the feelings that everybody shares in their daily lives.

On her latest recording, Let It Burn, Ruthie went into Piety Street Recording in New Orleans, bringing along a dream band that includes notable Crescent City mainstays like George Porter, Jr. and Russell Batiste. She also features special guests William Bell and The Blind Boys Of Alabama. The selections roll along as if they were written to be matched with one another. Besides incredible original songwriting, she also presents stellar covers of well-known tracks like Los Lobos’ “This Time,” the Johnny Cash chestnut “Ring Of Fire” (written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore) that has been done in a soft jazzier lounge feel that works brilliantly, David Crosby’s “Long Time Gone” with a punchy organ and The Blind Boys backing, Robbie Robertson’s “It Makes No Difference” that maintains the emotion first felt by The Band’s rendition, and Pete Seeger’s folk classic “If I Had A Hammer” with a funky bass line and James River on a sultry sax behind it. Her duet with William Bell on his trademark number “You Don’t Miss Your Water” upholds the song’s true soulful feel to perfection. The Blind Boys Of Alabama are also included on her own originals “Welcome Home,” “Lord Remember Me” where they take you to church and also the traditional Leadbelly number “The Titanic.”

You can never go wrong with any release that Ruthie Foster offers. No exception here. It is a joy to your ears and another winner for certain. Her vocals are at their prime and the progression from one song into the next are spot on. You’re going to want to make sure that Let It Burn is added to your regular playlist where it is going to find a permanent home without doubt.

Total Time: 59:41

Welcome Home / Set Fire To The Rain / This Time / You Don’t Miss Your Water / Everlasting Light / Lord Remember Me / Ring Of Fire / Aim For The Heart / It Makes No Difference / Long Time Gone / Don’t Want To Know / If I Had A Hammer / The Titanic