Features

Woman At Work: Ruthie Foster

Photo by JohnmCarrico

When we last heard from Ruthie Foster, she was providing the fiery, soulful backing vocals on Warren Haynes’ Man in Motion album. The release of her new record Let It Burn finds the Texas-born Foster leading an outstanding group of musicians—bassist George Porter Jr., drummer Russell Batiste, Hammond B3 player Ike Stubblefield, saxophonist James Rivers and guitarist Dave Easley—through a mix of covers and self-penned originals that range from gospel-inspired rave-ups to sultry jazz torchers.

Foster—who received a Grammy nomination in 2010 for The Truth According to Ruthie Foster —grew up in Gause, Texas, a small town about two hours north of Austin, where she lives today. She was surrounded by musicians on both sides of her family. “Most of the church choir when I was growing up was [made up of] my relatives,” she says. “It was quite intimidating to have so many incredible voices around me.”

In fact, Foster had concentrated on playing the guitar and piano until one day in her early teens when her mother said, “Baby, you’ve got to open your mouth and sing—it’s your turn.”

And once Foster did, there was no turning back. Since then, her life has been a journey of self-discovery and honing her skills, although she says, “whatever comes out of my mouth is always going to sound a little bit like gospel—I can’t leave that home.”

Highlights on Let It Burn include a dreamy, smoky take on the June Carter classic “Ring Of Fire,” that feels like it’s being sung across a pillowcase; a powerful version of David Crosby’s “Long Time Gone,” featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama; and a total hallelujah blow-out jam on The Black Keys’ “Everlasting Light.”

“We were playing [“Everlasting Light”] live in the studio and I had great eye contact with George Porter [Jr.],” she says. “He could tell I wanted to go somewhere with the song and he followed me—and everyone else followed him.”

Foster has what she calls her “own set of superstars” for her live shows in 2012: drummer Samantha Banks, bassist Tanya Richardson and B3 player Scottie “Bones” Miller—with Foster handling guitar duties herself. “I always write out a setlist,” she says, “but I let the crowd take me to where they want to go.”