Ruth Greenwood
Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Music
Press
There's no need for Singer-Songwriter Ruth Greenwood to apologize for her debut CD, I Won't Apologize. Among one of the many talented songwriters in New Jersey, Ruth Greenwood makes an exceptionally strong debut. With gripping, well-crafted lyrics and music, beautiful guitar and mandolin work along with Ruth's natural, raw and emotional vocals - every song on this CD sizzles.
Greenwood deals with all facets of love in her CD, from losing love in "Wish I'd Known" and "Indian Summer" to unrequited love in "I Won't Apologize" and "What Is," to the joys and passion of love in "Hot" and "One." A wife and mother, Ruth also deals with family life in songs such as "Family Circus" and the lack of love in one of my favorite songs on the CD, called, "Debt."
"A little red-haired boy in a Yogi Bear T-shirt sits on the concrete stairs/ It's too dark to read his comic book - but his mama said "Stay there!" / She gives him food and shelter but she don't realize/ she's gotta listen to his story, look deep into his eyes / Damn that debt she makes him pay/ That mama who didn't care much/ Mad at that daddy who didn't stay/ He pays in tenderness that she don't show / Cause she don't know how to give what she didn't get / So a little boy pays / Damn that debt�
Nashville-based session man Danny Parks did an amazing job on the guitar and mandolin work on the CD and Producer Kim Copeland, who co-produced the album along with Ruth Greenwood, also did an excellent job as well. Stop by Ruth Greenwood's website at for more information on her songs, upcoming shows and to purchase her new CD, I Won't Apologize. - Music Dish
The thing about Ruth is, she's a fantastic songwriter whose worked so hard on the craft of writing a song that I'd swear there was nothing more to learn, and yet, she insist there is. The simple truth is, this is a very well written, extremely lisenable cd and I think everyone would find something to enjoy by listening to it. "Wish I'd Known", the opening track, is one of those songs that I could listen to a million times and not get tired of. It's just damn good. Go over to Ruth's MySpace and listen to it and "On The Head of a Pin" - they are gorgeous.
The publishers around Nashville quite frankly piss me off for reasons such as these because if there were justice in the world, Ruth would rein the female songwriting crowd. NO, I'm not segmenting, nor am I saying Ruth can't compete with men, not in the least! Ruth can slaughter men not only in style but also in substance. She's a great writer. Plain and simple. But there are some celebrated female songwriters in town and Ruth should be one of them. These other songwriters should be begging to write with someone of Ruth's talents.
Here's something else you might not know...
Ruth can SING! I'm not trying to put her down by saying that. I'm saying that it comes as a bit of a surprise because most songwriters, to tell the truth, can't. Go to an open mic around town and you'll know what I'm talking about. Not Ruth. She's confident and that confidence makes her songs sound unbelievable beautiful. Confidence like she displays on this record allows the emotion behind the songs to stand out.
So publishers? Wake up for crying out loud! And the rest of you, head immediately over to Ruth's website and BUY this cd. You will not regret it. It's close to being the best of the year.
UPDATE:
Wanna know what I'm talking about when I say publishers in this town need to get clued into the writing of Ruth Greenwood? Watch this video. THIS is how a song should be written, it's quite simply beautiful - and as always, Ruth's voice is spot on. This is the title track to her album, "I Won't Apologize". - http://nashvillehype.com
SoundCheck
Ruth Greenwood I Won't Apologize ruthgreenwood.com
Ruth did a set at PineyFest in '04 that lingers in my memory as a good feeling -- nothing splashy, just an intelligent, creative adult sharing some honest music. This album intensifies that feeling enormously. Wow. The songs are mostly documentation of the plusses in a healthy marriage relationship, with a couple of heart wrenchers worked in for balance. "I didn't set out to be a performer," she tells me; "it just grew out of the songwriting, so I'm pretty amazed at the responses." My guess is the lady's amazements have just begun. - Bill Littleton
Discography
Current CD "I Won't Apologize" airplay on WMVY-FM (song "What Is"), KAOS-FM (song(s)) TBA), Shonan Beach FM (Japan) ("Name for This" has been the featured song for May), WCVF 88.9 FM in FREDONIA NY (and over 35 international stations) (song "What Is") WDIY-FM, Lehigh Valley PA ("Wish I'd Known" and "I Won't Apologize"), Rockin' Mom podcast (song "Debt"), Murphy's Saloon Blues Podcast, Radio Crystal Blue podcast, --everywhere it's been submitted so far.
Ruth Greenwood was featured in a spotlight segment of Chick Chat Radio, nationally-syndicated program whose hosts were recently named "Rising Stars of Talk Radio" by Radio & Records magazine.
(To listen to a clip of this segment, including "Family Circus" go to http://mamapalooza.com/chickchat.html) Mamapalooza founder Joy Rose talks about Ruth's performances and her experience both as a musician and as a working mother.
Ruth's songs have been recorded by :
Gail Wynters (RCA)
Engelbert Humperdinck (Epic)
Gary Portnoy (Columbia)
Kids from FAME (RCA, #1 in Europe)
Mike Mandel (Vanguard)
Ruth Greenwood (Ruthenium)
KT Oslin
Saundra Steele (Picalic - Nashville)
Bluewater (H&L Records)
Sandy Zio
Network TV shows:
FAME TV (re-released Nov. 2005 on Sony DVD)
Texas
Photos
Bio
Ruth Greenwood - "A classic singer/songwriter with a gift for story telling with great hooks and a voice to match!" Larry Oakes - Founder of "Singer/Songwriter Sessions NYC" - after booking/hearing Ruth at Bitter End
Ruth's first song on her first demotape out of college was recorded by Gail Wynters on RCA. The late John Hammond heard it and wrote that Ruth was "an excellent writer and good singer, very interesting". She performed at Folk City and other New York venues, and had songs recorded on major labels and broadcast on national TV.
Coming back to writing and performing after a decade-long break, Ruth first thought she'd pick it up again as a hobby...but found herself chatting online with a successful Bollywood songwriter, and discovered that she still had so much to express about songwriting...and about life. She began to write again. First online, and then live, she found a home for her music in Nashville, placing 4 songs in the top 15 of a song contest, and was a finalist in both the USA Songwriting competition (which has 32,000 entrants) and the Nashville Song Search . She is an invited performer at the Bluebird Cafe (her first two-hour round included Tony Arata, writer of Garth Brooks' mega-hit, "The Dance") and other venues in Nashville and New York. Here are some recent reviews: I've listened to it five times so far, and on every pass I get another insight(s) into my relationship with the women in my life. Thanks! This album should be required listening for all men, especially those who are wondering what to look for in a relationship and how to be in one (Debt). This album is just plain Honest...And you shouldn't apologize!! [Ruth's note: CD is called "I Won't Apologize"!] I'm going to send a letter to family and friends suggesting they buy it too.
By the way, I was trying to compare you to other singers and you know what? I can't because I think your style is your own. Keep bending your voice in the right spots--it works."
From a review in the June 2006 issue of Music Dish:
Ruth Greenwood makes an exceptionally strong debut with her CD "I Won't Apologize." With gripping, well-crafted lyrics and music, beautiful guitar and mandolin work along with Ruth's natural, raw and emotional vocals - every song on this CD sizzles. Greenwood deals with all facets of love in her CD, from losing love in "Wish I'd Known" and "Indian Summer" to unrequited love in "I Won't Apologize" and "What Is," to the joys and passion of love in "Hot" and "One." A wife and mother, Ruth also deals with family life in songs such as "Family Circus" and the lack of love in one of my favorite songs on the CD, called, "Debt."
"A little red-haired boy in a Yogi Bear T-shirt sits on the concrete stairs/ It's too dark to read his comic book - but his mama said "Stay there!" / She gives him food and shelter but she don't realize/ she's gotta listen to his story, look deep into his eyes / Damn that debt she makes him pay / That mama who didn't care much/ Mad at that daddy who didn't stay / He pays in tenderness that she don't show / Cause she don't know how to give what she didn't get / So a little boy pays / Damn that debt"
Although Ruth co-writes with mainstream country writers, her own music may draw from all the musics she's played and loved, including folk, rock, blues, R&B and jazz...sometimes just one unexpected note or chord or image that makes it jump out from the pack. Her beautiful, unique voice has been compared to a young Maria Maldaur, and a combination of Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss and Norah Jones...with the emotions of a poet but the artistry of a real musician.
Although promotional efforts for her new CD have just started over the last 2 weeks, Ruth has been just been selected for WMVY.com, a Rockin' Mom and Texas countrypodcasts, KAOS-FM, Olympia WA, as well as sales in Barnes & Noble. She's been invited back for another show at Nashville's Commodore after her CD release showcase on February 7.
Links
