Ruthie Foster - My Heavy Load

While touring Europe with the American Folk Blues Fest in 1965, Chris Strachwitz staged an impromptu recording session with Big Mama Thornton. The resulting 1966 LP In Europe (Arhoolie 1028) is one of Thornton’s most powerful and satisfying, with a remarkable backing band that included Buddy Guy on guitar, Eddie Boyd on piano, and Fred Below on drums. The few tracks featuring only Thornton and Mississippi Fred McDowell’s sparse slide guitar accompaniment are a particular highlight. “My Heavy Load” is one of those songs, so it was thrilling to see Texas blues singer Ruthie Foster reprise it for the 60 Years of Arhoolie anniversary celebration in 2020..
From her beginnings singing church music in rural Texas, to her service in the Navy (where she fell in love with performing), to multiple GRAMMY nominations and Blues Music Awards, Ruthie Foster has been a uniquely creative and soulful voice in blues for over two decades. Visit • SIXTY YEARS OF ARHOOLI... to see more amazing performances from the Arhoolie 60th anniversary celebration.
#Arhoolie #RuthieFoster

[@chucknickerson9223]

Arhoolie Foundation, thanks for exposing me to her music!

[@Bongofurry]

Pure heat !