Webmaster note: This review was translated from Dutch into English so the accuracy of inflection may be just a touch off.

Renewal is a beautiful thing, but diligently and passionately known path walk is often as well. That I remembered when listening to the album 'The Real Thing' Da Foster. The CD takes off blocks with Good Man Bad Thing, with a fine horn section, a roaring B3 and beautifully sounding singers. Track two, The Real Thing, is a solid blue pestle. Nothing new, but well done. That goes well, I thought. Unfortunately that is not the case. After these numbers follow too many contrived ballads, which culminated in an unnecessary version of Bill Withers "You Just Can not Smile It Away". In track three, "We All Fall Down", you hear that Foster's voice and musical approach sometimes reminiscent of Dr. John, including the ladies choir, but this number is missing pit, including the guitar solo. Everything is well maintained, neat actually.

The same applies to Eddie Hinton's "Super Lover". With more Cocker in his voice would sound less easy-going; more Chris Rea may be, that would take care of weathered vocals. In track four, "Ain't Doing Too Bad", Foster tends late as crooner singing happy omitted, but five track "This Time I'm Gone For Good", "I Need A Good Woman Bad" and track eleven "Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You?" still sound very good weather and little adventurous. Foster has been a band since 1979, has played with many greats (Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Maceo Parker, etc.), so he has enough experience. His band, largely musician Taj Mahal's Phantom Blues Band, plays exactly what to play, but the fire just will not flare up.

The producers (Tony Braunagel and Mike Finnigan, including both the Phantom Blues Band) were there for me for may make 'The Real Thing' less good and more lived had sounded. Other repertoire choice could certainly contribute to. Track ten, smooth swinging, Taj Mahal-inspired version of Lie To Me by Brook Benton, the CD can not save. Foster the best comes into its own in straightforward blues appears in the latest issue, Down Home Blues. Track eight, Bab Smack In The Middle (Charles E. Calhoun) was played in 1976 by Ry Cooder on his plate Chicken Skin Music. That is a version where you are trusted with goosebumps.