Hard to believe that it took until last year for Ruthie Foster to take home a Grammy, but the blues stalwart finally slayed the Best Contemporary Blues Album honor with her 2024 LP Mileage. Foster’s songwriting has always been a triumphant wellspring of hope and endurance, her songs sweeping through roots styles with a deep sense of gratitude and grit elevated in her powerful, soulful vocals. Mileage logs the long journey while still pushing ecstatically forward. Foster returns to the Paramount with the new, aptly titled single “Thank You,” previewing her upcoming summer LP Just Say Yes. – Doug Freeman
