Album Notes

Since her beginnings in a small Texas town, through her musical studies at college, and through the process of becoming a professional musician, Ruthie’s pure voice has been taking her to new places and higher heights. With ‘The Truth According to Ruthie Foster,’ Ruthie has finally arrived.

This extraordinary songwriter/performer tackles life’s big issues throughout her sizzling new album. On it, Ruthie repeatedly testifies to her core message – that through all of the ups and downs of living, you must stay true to yourself. The pain as well as the joy of love, the strength it takes to weather life’s challenges, the hope that grows from seeds of faith and wisdom: All of this breathes inspiration and celebration into The Truth According to Ruthie Foster.

For all the facets of this album, the heat of soul music burns at its core. That’s what drew her to Memphis, where she set up shop at the legendary Ardent Studios with a stunning assembly of musicians. There, symbolically on the day of Isaac Hayes’ funeral, they began working to convey the energy of Ruthie’s performances, cutting almost everything live, going for feeling above all else … and making their own kind of history.

With roots-music producer Chris Goldsmith overseeing the proceedings, all of the essentials – the hard-edged blues of guitar icon Robben Ford (the Yellowjackets, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, countless others), the Memphis magic conjured by keyboardist Jim Dickinson (Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin) and organist Charles Hodges (Al Green, Ann Peebles), the rock-steady rhythm anchor of bassist Larry Fulcher (Taj Mahal, Los Super Seven) and drummer Rock Deadrick (Tracy Chapman, Ben Harper) – settle into their unique pocket, with the legendary Memphis Horns adding a distinctive coup de grace.

“Truth is right where you are,” she proclaims. So it is throughout ‘The Truth According to Ruthie Foster,’ Ruthie Foster’s greatest triumph to date. And that is as true as truth can get.

Quotes:

"The truth, according to this remarkable album, is that Ruthie Foster is one of America's finest soul-blues artists. ...a full-on blast of soul and blues... The combination of a talented band, powerful songs, and Foster's roaring gospel-inspired vocals leaves Truth with no weak spots among its dozen tracks. If this one doesn't elevate Foster to the next level of popularity, it's impossible to imagine what will."
----Blues Revue