Ruthie Foster at Ballard Park...

The last time we tried to catch Ruthie Foster in CT, the UConn Huskies hoopsters were in the midst of a championship run (back when they were allowed to compete; goddammit, do your homework!).  Tickets were purchased for her concert at FTC in Fairfield, but never used.  Her sets at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, especially the first time we saw her in the Blues Tent, were, if I may use the title of her album, Phenomenal.  She's touring in support of her latest, Let It Burn, with a stop in Ridgefield at Ballard Park as part of the CHIRP Summer concert series.  I coerced The Reet to go Thursday evening.

Sorry, lady, bad timing.

Ballard Park is a very cool venue for concerts.  Located just south of Ridgefield center, it is spacious, with meandering treed walkways,  benches, a large gazebo, plenty of parking; the temporary stage tucked at one end.  Pack a lunch, maybe a bottle of wine (it doesn't ruin the family unit, as they fear in Southington).  Perfect evening, weatherwise.  We arrive at six, an hour before showtime, eat our grinders and people-watch.

Promptly at seven, Barbara Manners, the woman responsible for the concert series bookings, takes the microphone to thank sponsors, remind us to not be rude talkers during the performance (apparently this has been an issue, for there are "SSSSHHHHHH" signs around), listing the remaining series concerts.  By way of introduction, Ms. Manners tells of  hearing Ruthie at a festival in Nashville, following her all the way to another festival in Canada, then trying for a number of years to book her for CHIRP, finally succeeding this year.  Ruthie takes the stages with her bandmates,  Tanya Richardson on drums, Samantha Banks on bass and fiddle. With influences of gospel, blues, country and soul, Ruthie plays two sets of Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Los Lobos, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash (a slowed down Ring Of Fire) in addition to her self-penned numbers.  All great.  Love you, Ruthie!