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Ruthie Foster

Ruthie Foster on Mountain Stage

Ruthie Foster performs during a live taping of the NPR program 'Mountain Stage' at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 24, 2021. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR) Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Mountain Stage hide caption

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Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Ruthie Foster on Mountain Stage

Ruthie Foster makes a return to the Mountain Stage.

Ruthie Foster on Mountain Stage

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'Joy Comes Back' When Ruthie Foster Goes Back To Church

Ruthie Foster's new album, Joy Comes Back, comes out March 24. John Carrico/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Carrico/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Songs We Love

'Joy Comes Back' When Ruthie Foster Goes Back To Church

Foster's easy-rocking slice of gospel soul is shot through with Derek Trucks' blissful slide guitar and tapping high heels recorded on her old church floor.

Ruthie Foster, 'Joy Comes Back'

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Ruthie Foster: Texas Gospel With A Worldly Touch

Ruthie Foster's new album is Let It Burn. John Carrico hide caption

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John Carrico

Music Interviews

Ruthie Foster: Texas Gospel With A Worldly Touch

Born and raised in small-town Texas, Foster spent time in both New York and the U.S. Navy Band before settling back in Austin. Her new album, Let It Burn, features a mix of originals and covers, plus some stirring collaborations with The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Ruthie Foster: Texas Gospel With A Worldly Touch

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Review

Song Of The Day

Ruthie Foster (Quietly) Tells The Truth

"I Really Love You" finds Foster singing to a guy who isn't that into her, pleading, "If you could only feel all the love I have for you." But she's not hitting him over the head with a gutbucket blues growl. Her warm and grainy voice is utterly conversational, totally natural and effortlessly charming.

'I Really Love You' by Ruthie Foster

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Mountain Stage

Ruthie Foster On Mountain Stage

On Ruthie Foster's latest CD, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, the Texas-based singer and guitarist finds a home where deep soul meets classic blues and modern roots music. In her Mountain Stage performance, Foster pours out her heart on songs written by Lucinda Williams and others.

Listen Now: Ruthie Foster On Mountain Stage

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Review

Song Of The Day

Finding Warmth in a Raucous Affirmation

Ruthie Foster opens "Up Above My Head" with a minor-key electric-piano riff, conjuring up Marvin Gaye and the '70s pop-gospel hits of The Staple Singers. Then comes the 43-year-old Texan's warm, down-to-earth voice, with its undercurrent of wistfulness shining through.

'Up Above My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)' by Ruthie Foster

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