For American singer Ruthie Foster, the first 10 days of February had their special moments. After being nominated four times, she won the Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy award on February 2 for her latest release Mileage. Then she performed two shows at the Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF) at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios, before celebrating her 61st birthday on February 10.
Foster was originally scheduled for only one gig, but filled in on the second evening for Australian teen prodigy Taj Farrant who cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances. Many musicians doing shows on consecutive days often repeat their set list, but that wasn’t the case with this Texan artiste. Barring three songs from the latest album – the title track, Rainbow and Slow Down – she chose a completely different selection. Even the overall vibe seemed different, as the first day was dominated by gospel-blues and folk-blues, and the second day had some more rock-friendly and faster moments, including a energy-packed cover of the Black Sabbath hard rock hit War Pigs.
The other artistes performing were pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, Australian group Teskey Brothers and Indian artistes Kanchan Daniel and Megan Murray, with the latter making a fabulous MBF debut. The Garden Area had brief gigs by Talent Hunt winners John Blue Ensemble and the wonderful The Beatz Crew & Nanhi Kali Choir, who impressed on the classic Twist & Shout. While Randoph had some sizzling moments and crackling solos, the Teskey Brothers evoked mixed reactions ranging from “spiritual experience” and “this year’s highlight” to “too bland” and “not worthy of a headlining act”.
Before the festival, this writer read many social media comments that the line-up was weak, and that the only star performer Robert Randolph had played before. The organisers said the effort was to bring in fresh faces and represent newer regions, with Australia chosen this time. Yet, people said there was nobody of the level of past visitors Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Jimmie Vaughan and Keb Mo. In the end, of course, it didn’t seem to affect the overall attendance and ambience, and all the different arenas were packed. At such festivals, a famous act can have a bad-hair day, and a lesser-known name may spring a surprise.
A similar feeling was expressed last year, when an all-female line-up was announced. Many fans from other cities decided to skip, and the popular Beth Hart’s cancellation made some locals refrain too. But Dana Fuchs, Samantha Fish, Vanessa Collier and Sheryl Youngblood more than made up.
That brings us back to Foster. Not many in India had heard her name or music before, and some probably heard of her after the Grammy win. There were exceptions, of course. I met Vivienne Pocha, herself an amazing vocalist from Mumbai, before Foster’s first show, and she talked of how much she had followed her music and even learnt a few things listening to her.
The first day’s set began tentatively, as the sound was awry on the first couple of numbers. But once things settled down, Foster was a delight. Her phrasing and intonation were immaculate, and her songs were strong on lyrical content, a far cry from the “Woke up this morning” brand of blues. The band, comprising Haddon Sayers on guitar, Scottie Miller on keyboards and mandolin, Larry Fulcher on bass, and Brannen Templer on drums, was tight, and the sound incorporated elements of blues, gospel, soul, folk and jazz.
The Day 1 highlights included Soul Searching, her ‘a cappella’ rendition of the Son House number People Grinnin In Your Face and the brilliant Phenomenal Woman. Besides War Pigs, her Day 2 gems included a version of the Staples Singers song The Ghetto and the uptempo Travelling Shoes, which had solos by all musicians. Besides the largely middle-aged and older MBF crowd, it was a delight to see the youngsters enjoying her music too. At 19, Tia Karkhanis was completely floored by Ruthie’s singing, and even felt she should have been the headlining act. She has a point.
