The diminutive, 5-foot tall Ruth LaMaster ‘s moniker “Hurricane Ruth” is not the least bit understated. She can wail like the force of nature the term connotes. For this outing, her debut on American Showplace Records, all the key ingredients are in place in terms of songwriting and backing musicians. Although this is Hurricane Ruth’s fifth album, this is the one that will likely take her career up a few notches. Tom Hambridge, Buddy Guy’s bandleader and songwriter for Guy, the late Frank Bey, and so many others, co-writes on two songs. Guitarist Scott Holt from Guy’s band contributes on three and the standout writer Gary Nicholson contributes one. In addition, songwriter Karen Leipziger, who wrote some great songs with the late Eddie “The Chief’’ Clearwater, joined with Freda (Alfreda) McCrary and Irene Kelly for the closing “I’ve Got Your Back.” In addition to Holt the band includes bassist Calvin Johnson, multiple BMA nominee and keyboard giant Bruce Katz, and drummer/producer/all things blues Tony Braunagel. The album was produced by the recently passed Ben Elliott, which makes it bittersweet as it was likely one of Elliott’s last projects.
Roaring from the get-go, we get the opening, rollicking piano-driven “Wildfire,” one that Ruth says evokes the honky-tonk music she heard at her mom and dad’s establishment, The Glendale Tavern, in her hometown of Beardstown, IL. The pulsating “Dirty Blues,” co-written with Hambridge, is a nod to that one dancer who lets it all out on the dancefloor when she hears her favorite music: we’ve all seen the type. The other Hambridge contributed co-write, “What You Never Had” is a shuffle based on one of her mom’s comments while the slow-burning “Good Life,” written with Holt, celebrates her mom directly.
Nicholson’s “Torn in Two” is another shuffle with his usual infectious hook and a lyric that speaks to the temptations of the flesh, amplified by Holt’s raging guitar solo and Katz’s ringing and swirling keys. “She’s Golden” was written with Nashville blues artist singer/guitarist Bart Walker. It’s about resilience and finding one’s own way. The stomping LaMaster-Holt “Black Sheep” is driven by Braunagel’s incessant beats as Ruth sings about her badass self. Flipping the script, the B3-fueled “Who I Am” celebrates sobriety. “Late Night, Red Wine” is another shuffle, inspired by a hungover friend who uttered those same words before turning back to the pillow late morning. The piano centered closer, “I’ve Got Your Back” is the album’s clear standout, a beautifully written song that brings out the best in Ruth’s emotive delivery.
Hurricane Ruth has been on the scene long enough to have shared the stage with B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, and Taj Mahal, to name a few. Thousands have heard her sing, but many still haven’t. Getting acquainted with her, for many, is long overdue. It’s her time now.
