Ruthie Foster has a cult/fanatic following. People either have never heard of her or they think she has one of the best voices of our time. Her new CD Live at Antone’s shows why her voice has received such notice. It is husky and soulful but never overdone. She wails at the top of her register when she needs to, but then brings it back in an easy manner. Her singing possesses a familiarity that welcomes listeners, and her onstage persona is good- natured and inviting.
Her song choice is similarly appealing. She takes Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)” and transforms it from an upbeat gospel rocker into an eerie meditation. Lucinda Williams’ “Fruits of My Labor” moves from its dirge-like vibe to an inspirational number. However, the remaining songs would benefit from imaginative arrangements. Aside from her voice, there is little to distinguish the songs from other folk/roots rock music out there. Her voice digs in and really goes for it all over this disc, but the songs rarely go beyond third gear. It takes special guest guitarist Papa Mali to kick up Foster’s song “Heal Yourself,” and other songs could use that kind of goosing. Live at Antone’s is a good record, even great at times, but it doesn’t equal the talent of its leader.
