Also this issue: Ghost in the Machine Japanese psychedelia invades brains, raises spirits. -A.D. Amorosi Family Fugue Orchestra 2001 puts the Crumbs back together. -Peter Burwasser Originators of the Species The progenitors of progressive house sprout legs, go on tour. -Sean O’Neal The Gig Jon Langford -Paul Burress Jello Biafra -Patrick Rapa Ryan Adams -A.D. Amorosi The Blind Boys of Alabama/ The Dirty Dozen Brass Band -Sam Adams

October 3- 9, 2002

musicpicks

Ruthie Foster

On the last of four sleep-deprived, music-crammed days at Folk Alliance, somebody insists, you just gotta make time for one more showcase. At 2 a.m., no less. You go, and surprise, Ruthie Foster carries the second wind with her. The energy she brings with just voice and guitar (and percussion assistance from partner Cyd Cassone) is stunning. Ruthie's drawn comparisons to Ella and Aretha, but musically neither is really close. What she does have in common with Fitzgerald and Franklin is the irresistible blaze -- it's impossible to look away, even close the eyes, for one second. Ruthie is a native Texan, now in living in Austin, its musical heart, but her roots are north of there, in a small town where she heard plenty of gospel and enough blues to indelibly mark her singing style. Ruthie wails.

Sun., Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15, Cherry Tree Music Co-op, St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk, 215-386-1640.

—Mary Armstrong