HURRICANE RUTH LAMASTER
WINDS OF CHANGE
HURRICANE RUTH PUBLISHING LLC
I FEEL LUCKY–BUILT FOR COMFORT–WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN–GOING BACK TO LOUISIANA
Hurricane Ruth LaMaster is petite in stature, but a dynamo of a vocalist. Her father owned the Glendale Tavern in Beardstown, IL, and was the resident drummer for the many jam sessions held there. A young Ruth recalled sitting on her father’s lap at age three, keeping time on the ride cymbal as he drummed. All types of music were played at these sessions, but Ruth was always drawn to the Big Band, horn-heavy soul-infused R & B, along the lines of Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and “Kozmic Blues”-era Janis Joplin. As such, her latest release, “Winds Of Change,” reflects this love of R & B, set over the course of the four cuts that comprise this EP.
She blasts outta the gate with a rousing version of a song from another “little lady with a big voice,” Pat Benatar’s “I Feel Lucky,” which features a blistering boogie-woogie piano break from Brian Curtis. The humorous lope of Willie Dixon’s “Built For Comfort” is Ruth’s favorite of Dixon’s vast catalog, and she lets all us fellows know that “I got everything a good woman needs.” The set closes with the bon temps roulet of Delbert’s swingin’ “Going Back To Louisiana,” a cut tailor-made for the dance floor!
Our favorite was easy. Since our wedding on October 25, 1978, (for those of y’all keeping score!), the Percy Sledge classic “When A Man Loves A Woman” was “our song.” It takes a special breed of artist to sing it, because, to us, you don’t just sing this song–you have to FEEL it as well. Ruth’s powerful, soulful delivery really hit home with us, very effectively capturing this song’s deep message of love and devotion.
Hurrican Ruth LaMaster is one of those rare artists who can sing whatever she puts her mind to. With “Winds Of Change,” she goes quite successfully back to her roots! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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