2007 from Blue Corn Music

"Foster has a deep gritty voice with a little Janis and some Aretha that will please discerning soul and rock fans. Her cover of Lucinda Williams' 'Fruits of My Labor' tops the original."
- Dan Aquilante, NY Post "New Faces For '07"

"Foster’s deeply soulful vocals dip into gospel and swing toward contemporary folk with R&B panache. When she sings a cappella, the heavens part.”
- Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle

"Considering the Aretha Franklin comparisons getting tossed her way, it’s safe to assume the A&R folks at Atlantic are kicking themselves right about now. ‘Phenomenal’ is no idle boast."
- Christopher Blagg, Boston Herald

“The energy she brings with just voice and guitar is stunning. Ruthie’s drawn comparisons to Ella and Aretha, but musically neither is really close. What she does have in common with Fitzgerald and Franklin is the irresistible blaze – it’s impossible to look away, even close the eyes, for one second.”
- Mary Armstrong, Philadelphia City Paper

"Her new CD...gutsily named "The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster," will convert those hungry for some real, hot soul."
- Ann Powers, Los Angeles Times

"The album takes its name from ‘Phenomenal Woman,’ a Maya Angelou poem set to music by Amy Sky and David Pickell, but Foster's voice would earn the superlative anyway."
- Shay Quillen, San Jose Mercury News

“She’s got a right to brag. Foster is a natural-born singer with a voice that is potent, unfussy, and, at times, deeply moving.”
- Renee Graham, Boston Globe

“Braggadocio titles were big back in the day. (Remember "The Genius of Ray Charles" and "The Fabulous Johnny Cash"?) And "The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster" is pretty fabulous. ... The arrangements are spare, but this is about Foster's rich, robust voice...”
- Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star Tribune

“The spiritual indestructibility is conveyed through the power of Foster's voice -- a clear, sterling instrument sparkling with elements of a young Tina Turner and Joan Armatrading. ... a knockout album.”
- Rashod Ollison, Baltimore Sun

“her talent is universal with no pretense. ...she is a holy Anita Baker ... as bold as Nina Simone...The evocations go on and on...”
- Roberta Penn, Seattle Post Intelligencer

“a songwriter and singer as good as Foster doesn’t fit in genres- She creates her own.”
- James Porter, Time Out Chicago

“The disc serves up 57 varieties of soul... In Ms. Foster's wailing voice, "Fruits of My Labor" is the greatest tuneSam Cooke never recorded.”
- Thor Christensen, Dallas Morning News

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