Ruth Gerson - Fools and Kings (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

Ruth has a Melissa Etheridge passion with a Kate Bush voice.

01/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A must-have for the lover of chick-rock in the strains of Melissa Etheridge, the Indigo Girls, early Sinead, Shawn Colvin, etc.A powerful singer with breathtaking control, who can move you without ever taking herself too seriously."

She's got more talent in her little finger...

03/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ruth Gerson is an amazing artist. Her voice is stunning--in tone, range, expression. Her music is compelling, with both complex and touchingly simple melodies. She is an intelligent, clever, and soulful storyteller with a sense of humor. Ruth rocks on the piano, and on any guitar you put in her hands. You'll listen again and again, and more than likely start singing along. Catch her now so you can brag about it later--it won't be long before people catch on. And if you can see her live in NYC, don't miss it--she's a true performer. You'll want to get her other two CD,s too--NOT TO BE MISSED!"

As a songwriter, Gerson has few peers, she's a genius.

Salle-boy | 12/03/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I listen to Fools and Kings, I'm shocked that a major label has not signed this woman. The production is top notch (Don Dixon has worked with REM and many others) and her voice is incredible. But the truly remarkable thing about Fools and Kings is the songs. From rockers like "I Want What You Want" and "King of the Mountain" to the beautifully poetic "Fools and Kings" and the haunting "Shoah," Gerson's songwriting ability shines through. These songs surpass the trite offerings of most radio playlists. One listen and I was hooked. She's a true original, if you like Sheryl Crow, you'll love Ruth Gerson. The only other person I can think of that can write lyrics as good as "Your Promised Land" is Bob Dylan. Buy this now and be ahead of the pack, or you'll be buying it later when you jump on her bandwagon. Will someone tell me why this woman isn't headlining at Lilith Fair? I feel like I'm privy to a big secret that the world is about to hear. Ruth Gerson is here and she's going to be here for a long time. "I know why the caged bird sings, Where the devil picked out his angel's wings, What kind of hatred ignorance brings, What kind of love is shared between fools and kings" These lines are from the title track. One word: PURE POETRY. Each listen leaves me in awe. These songs demand to be heard."

No-One Reaches Her Ankles, But It Doesn't Get to Her Head

DoctorBass | The South | 12/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am guessing that Ruth thumbs her nose at the major labels; she probably finds their penchant for the commercial destruction of musical talent repugnant and she is wary. She indeed has more talent in one finger than virtually all singer-songwriters have in their entire mortal coils, but she doesn't make a big deal of it. She is secure in a world of strutting, posturing, insecure people who would call themselves "musicians." So when approached by a major bigwig, who in his/her infinite wisdom has "advice" as to how Ruth "should" do this or that so as to become "more commercial," I am sure that she politely, but very heartily laughs. Ruth has the heartiest laugh: It will blow you away if you're a crook. To paraphrase Hendrix, this dazzlingly brilliant musician is "Stone Free, to Do What She Pleases" and this will never change. This is precisely why her songs are not only beautiful but also ring true; they speak to you like very few others do. Listen: Every song does not have an ounce of fat; it's lean and powerful. Singers like Ruth do not come along very often. She is young and she will have her time in the public sun, but I know that this will not change the authenticity of her musical output. I was privileged to play bass in her band back in our university days and she is exactly the same Ruth that I remember, although many moons have passed. The only difference is that life's daily-grind and periodic blows have polished her musicianship to a blinding sheen. Listening to her sing on our band's 1991 demo-tape The Change to auditioning her latest 2007 release This Can't Be My Life, one hears seamless consistency and evolution--yes, this is possible: A diamond-in-the-rough singing her heart out years ago has become the diamond that she is now. I believe that Ruth's immense talent frightens music biz cats: She is bigger-than-life and they know that they will never be able to manipulate her in any way. What a blow to fragile egos! They know that Ruth Gerson will always be true to her musical vision, which has been salient to all who "saw" her genius unfold. And some day, someone with integrity will sign her to a major (if she even wants that), someone who delights in Ruth's talent rather than cowers in fear in the shadows of mediocrity. Dylan was intimidating to many in his brilliant songwriting and poetry. I am sure that Beethoven would have had a tough time breaking into the fickle biz today if he even cared to. Ruth's on her way, though, to her Promised Land. We have no clue where that will be. She, I suspect, does."

One of the best unknown CDs ever

Brett Gilles | Vermont | 03/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"no body of my friends knows this CD and it is truly amazing. Do yourself a favor and take a chance on this one. This is #2 in my attempt to review my top 10 CDs of all time. Wow. Really good."

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