Hurricane Ruth is joined by Nashville’s elite for one hell of a ride!
For her fourth album, Ain’t Ready for the Grave, Hurricane Ruth lays all her cards on the table. Ruth enlisted mega hit-man producer, songwriter, drumming master and Grammy winner Tom Hambridge to work his special magic on 12 tracks, recorded in Nashville with a group of A-list players; Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan) on keys, Michael Rhodes (Joe Bonamassa) on bass, guitarists Pat Buchanan (Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney) and Rob McNelley (Delbert McClinton), who all had to work hard to keep up with Ruth’s fire!
The album kicks off with the good time blues, “Barrelhouse Joe’s,” setting the scene of Friday night at a juke joint just like her old man’s place. This song sets the mood for the entire album. You don’t get a name like Hurricane Ruth by being shy coming out of the gate. “Hard Rockin’ Woman” is an autobiographical song with gritty vocals over a driving four on the floor house rockin’ blues. The album title comes from a line in the low-down blues “Far From The Cradle.” The song is introduced with a sublimely beautiful slide guitar. Ruth’s stunning vocals are restrained yet powerful. Ruth chastises a young woman for messing with a married man on the smoking hot “Estilene.” Hambridge lays down a fat boogaloo beat for the playful dance track “Beekeeper.” This one moves and grooves with clever lyrics. Wynans tickles the ivories ramping up the drama of the classic slow blues “My Heart Aches for You.” Ruth steps back and shows her immeasurable vocal skills as she caresses the soul of every listener on this track. An ice-pickin’ groove and razor sharp vocals are featured on the tight track “Cheating Blues.” The crew then goes for broke, taking on an AC/DC classic “Whole Lotta Rosie,” delivering it with fury and southern rock sizzle. Some blistering slide guitar and swampy drums punctuate the provocative “For A Change.” Next is “Let Me Be the One,” an infectious blues shuffle. Feels like one of the top 10 hits that Hambridge wrote for Susan Tedeschi. The legendary McCrary Sisters and Wendy Moten join Hurricane Ruth for the saucy soul rocker “Good Stuff.” This song unleashes some serious soul. The album’s final cut “Yes I Know” is a joyful Sunday go-to-meeting revival. It’s a gospel blues number that reaches deep into Hurricane Ruth’s soul.
Ruth sums up the axiom of her career saying, “I’ve been one of the lucky ones to get a second chance at what I want to do; not only is it my passion, it is who I am.” Ain’t Ready for the Grave is a testament to the passion, tenacity and power that is Hurricane Ruth.
(Thanks to Rick J Bowen, Peter Merrett, and Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro for contributing your amazing descriptions of Ain’t Ready for the Grave.)
