Runaway Soul [Reissue]

Runaway Soul [Reissue]

• Ruthie Foster- Runaway Soul

For the past 15 years, 3-time Grammy Nominee and Texas native Ruthie Foster has been garnering critical acclaim for her soulful fusion of blues, gospel, roots and folk. Her CD ''Runaway Soul'' was a feature on many Texas critics' top ten lists and her fan base grows with each of her outstanding live performances. Her appeal lies in powerful songs and her commanding voice, which has been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin. Originally released in 2002, ''Runaway Soul'' has been physically unavailable for the last 5 years. This updated version has a new cover and bar code, but the same outstanding track list as the original. Dedicating one song to her late father who passed away in January 2002, Ruthie Foster's vocals mix gospel with a healthy helping of Texas blues in the vein of Bonnie Raitt or occasionally Melissa Etheridge. The mid-tempo opener, ''Runaway Soul'', is a solid beginning with harmonica and Hammond organ. Her softer side is also shown in some delightful harmonies. ''Woke Up This Mornin''' has a Sunday church feeling, slowly building into a funky Southern track with a choir-like harmony. ''Smalltown Blues'' takes more of an acoustic slant, featuring mainly Foster and acoustic guitar dominating the tune. One trait that makes the album very cohesive is how organic each song sounds, not slick, over-produced radio fodder. ''Death Came A-Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes)'', the track dedicated to her father, is perhaps the album's highlight. The mix of somber lyrics with a moody arrangement makes the best of an otherwise depressing topic.