Search - Ruthie Foster :: The Truth According to Ruthie Foster

A Disappointment

Frank C. Iossa | Wethersfield, CT USA | 06/04/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I may be in the minority here, but "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster" was a major disappointment to me. Let me begin by saying "The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster" and "Runaway Soul" are two of my all-time favorite cd's. They are forever and always in my cd player. Almost every song on those cd's crawl up into my soul and make me a part of the music. Almost every lyric is a memory from my past. I love those cd's. I've lived those cd's. You can imagine my excitement when "The Truth..." arrived. What I heard was a bland, one-dimensional, cardboard-like production. I wasn't moved. I wasn't anything. I was bored. Why, oh why remake "Joy On The Other Side"?? The original is a classic. I dare anyone to sit still while hearing the original. The re-make is as bland as a cup of luke warm water. The only reason I gave this cd two stars were the tracks "Tears Of Pain" and "Thanks For The Joy". If I listen closely, I can hear remnants of the Ruthie Foster I love. The Ruthie Foster that moves me. For the future of "The Truth..."? I'm putting it on the shelf with the rest of my cd's, and I'll probably never play it again."

Curiously Restrained

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 07/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I want to love this c.d. I mean, how can you not a love a c.d. entitled "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster"? Moreover, this c.d. has Robben Ford on guitar and the Memphis Horns. And here, all these other reviewers have raved; and I'm in serious need of some "helpfuls" here, since Amazon won't count my friends' votes and all.



But, "the truth according to Rick Cornell" re. "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster" is this:



After several listens, I'm concerned about the restraint surrounding this c.d. How can this be? After listening to the c.d. several times, I conclude that it's not Ruthie Foster: it's the mixing and overdubbing. Ms. Foster's voice should have been sharp, front and center, and the sound should have been clear and loud. It's not. Ms. Foster can belt; and songs like "Truth!", "Joy on the Other Side" and "Thanks for the Joy" are really good r & b material. But I conclude that after listening to the c.d. and imagining what this c.d. would sound like with topflight engineering. Dammit, this day and age, I shouldn't have to work that hard!



I strongly suspect that Ruthie Foster can raise the roof. I'd love to hear her live, and have her confirm that. This c.d. should have filled that bill by itself, but it does not. RC"