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Tuesday, 07 February 2012 01:00

Written by Jim White

Last week I gave you the fine new album by Joe Louis Walker; now it's time for the latest from the supremely soulful pipes of Ruthie Foster -- "Let It Burn" (Blue Corn Music).

If you've seen Foster in concert, you know she an amazing singer, with a deep, rich singing style that moves with ease from gospel to soul to blues to simply great songs. Which is exactly what you'll find on her latest CD.

"Let It Burn" is an excellent blend of songs and styles that shows off Foster's gorgeous voice, backed by the Funky Meters rhythm section and the vocals of the The Blind Boys of Alabama. There's a stirring duet with the very soulful William Bell on his song, "You Don't Miss Your Water' (with James Rivers on a rippling, sensuous sax solo) -- worth the price by itself.

"Set Fire to the Rain" is another fine track, kicked along by Ike Stubblefield, Hammond B3 legend, which sets fire to a number of songs here, adding jazzy licks, soulful riffs or bluesy feeling as necessary.

The album mixes an intriguing package of songs, including Foster's original "Welcome Home," a gospel-flavored track with the Blind Boys; the gently rocking "This Time;" the Johnny Cash classic "Ring of Fire;" a spirited and tough lost-love blues, "Aim for the Heart, co-written with Jon and Sally Tiven; a torchy "It Makes No Difference by Robbie Robertson; one of my favorites, David Crosby's anthem "Long Time Gone" with the Blind Boys, pumped full of soul by the B3; and a fine take on Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer."

It all works, thanks to Foster's ability to make a song her own, not to mention her rich and soulful voice, which makes you believe that she believes every word of every song. If you're a fan, you'll want this album. If not, you'll want to see what you've been missing.

Here's a video of snippets from the CD:

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