Ruthie Foster – Ballard Park – August 19, 2014
Foster works at the intersection of blues and gospel. She got there from her strong gospel background – I don’t suppose that too many of the blues/gospel artists will arrive there from a strict blues origin, or even if there is such a thing. The backing band is just bass & drums, but the light faded before I could capture the drummer. Her fingerpickin’ licks are really fine. I was hoping she would just rip in for some searing lead riffs, but that’s not her style, at least not in this context. There are sections of her songs, especially at the grand finales, where all instruments fall away to allow her (and us) to relish in her powerful pipes.
Ruthie Foster
Larry Fulcher