"A couple of weeks ago on a stiflingly sultry afternoon at the Texas Book Festival I heard in the distance this incredible voice singing the old Curtis Mayfield song, "People Get Ready." I moved quickly toward it and caught the last two minutes of Ruthie Foster's one hour set at the Entertainment Tent. In those two minutes, the gritty spirituality of her bluesy gospel rendition of that classic gave me the chills, and, I confess, watery eyes. She shook me. I told my wife that she was the greatest singer I had ever heard, and I'm not sure that I would qualify that even now. I ordered two of her CD's as soon as I could get to the internet and Amazon.com. The studio produced "Runaway Soul" is truly great, and I highly recommend it, but "Stages" is as close to perfection as any human has a right to expect. I agree with the other reviewer. It's the best live CD I own, with the possible exception of "James Brown at the Apollo!" Her rendition of "Oh, Susana," is revelatory. Foster discovers beneath the hokey joy of the tradition tune a transcendently beautiful lament. It is a shockingly insightful performance. Haunting. I could go on and on about other great numbers on the CD, but won't. Just buy it and enjoy it."
The Best!!
Parislexi | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 06/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ruthie Foster is THE BEST pure singer I have ever heard. When she sings Walk On and/or Oh Susannah - chills...
I absolutely LOVE HER - not only her singing but her guitar playing also. Check out/download her video at Kerrville from the internet and see her perform. A genius who can sing anything: blues, folk, whatever. I LOVE her - she is my favorite singer. Both her Stages and Runaway Soul albums- whew!!
Wish she would perform on national TV..."
Stages is Awesome
Fiona | Canmore, Alberta Canada | 08/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is simply the best live album I have heard! Having seen Ruthie Foster live at the Canmore Folk Fest - Stages stays true to her performance and gives the listener insight in to the fabulous range and style of Ruthie Foster - highly recommended."
Absolutely The Best!!
H. Carson | Crawford, CO | 12/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a jazz/blues DJ on community radio in Western Colorado ([...]), this is one of the top 10 female vocal CDs I've ever heard. Not only can Ruthie hold a candle to Etta, Tina, Mavis, and Aretha, she is their equal."
If you can see her live, then: get! If not...
R. W. Hankins | Dallas, TX | 12/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...then you owe it to yourself to buy this album. You won't miss her on stage again: expect goose bumps, and maybe some damp eyes, just listening to the CD. This is one of the best live recordings -- of anyone -- that I have heard. Buy it now, as the first in your collection, and you can tell your friends later: "Ruthie Foster? Oh yeah, I know her music!""