Levi Foster – We Made Fire
After releasing two EPs – a four-track self-titled set, followed by South of Boulder – Nashville’s Levi Foster releases his debut long player, We Made Fire, a wonderful, lip-smacking collection of songs drenched in manifest emotions.
Talking about We Made Fire, Foster shares, “I wanted the album to feel honest—like something familiar, but with a few surprises along the way. I got to explore the places and people that shaped me, blending heartache, hope, and a little grit. Putting out my first record feels like a huge step, and it’s been a long time in the making. I’m so proud of the work and patience that went into it, and it feels good to finally share it with the world!”
Produced by triple Grammy-nominee Ken Coomer, the album was mixed by Gabe Masterson and mastered by Jonathan Pines. The crème de la crème of talent playing on the album includes Joe McMahan (guitar), Ted Pecchio (bass), Adam Ollendorff (pedal steel), Gloria Anderson (vocals), Armando Saenz (vocals, guitar), Eric Fritsch (keyboards, guitar), Ron Gomez (bass, guitarron), Sabrina Stewart (vocals), Max Abrams (sax, baritone sax), Forrest O’Connor (mandolin), and Billy Contreras (fiddle).
The album begins with “She’s in Richmond,” a silky, swaying tune full of gleaming guitars riding a mid-tempo rhythm. A love song, the melody mirrors the magical influence of love over the human heart. There’s a luscious rolling motion to Foster’s phrasing and delivery, suffusing the lyrics with unconcealed warmth and passion.
Marinated in retro ‘60s flavors, “Emerald Eyes,” featuring Gloria Anderson, offers a gorgeous duet dripping with profound sentiment. Quixotic lyrics complement the delicious, drifting flow of the evocative melody.
“Waking and wanting you every morning/ The more I try to fight it, the further I fall/ No, there won’t be a day where I won’t want you/ Till the day I don’t wake up at all.”
The dark, portentous feel of “Olivia” evokes sensations of shadowy events leading to fated consequences that will devastate lives. A personal favorite because of its wicked you-done-me-wrong melody, “Josephine” narrates a tale of a femme fatale who seems to take cruel pleasure in breaking hearts. Braying saxophones add to the witchy, hoodoo impression of the melody, while Foster’s vocals are redolent of crushing betrayal.
“You Can’t Look At Me Like That” depicts the aftermath of a breakup, when the first time the protagonist sees his former lover out and about, he insists his heart is mended. Yet Foster’s forlorn vocals say otherwise. The flame remains.
Highlighted by the matchless voice of Levi Foster, We Made Fire is an unflinching statement from a true original.
Levi Foster Tour Dates:
Sept 10 in Nashville, TN at The End
Oct 3 in Macon, GA at The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House
Discover more about Levi Foster here.
Check out our previous coverage: Video Premiere: Levi Foster “She’s In Richmond”
