Customer Reviews

Confessions of a Blues Singer

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This latest album from Rory Block, which won Best Acoustic Blues Album at this year's W.C.Handy Awards is a killer of an album. Two Robert Johnson songs get it going with IF I HAD POSSESSION OVER JUDGEMENT DAY & RAMBLING ON MY MIND which also features the talented Bonnie Raitt on acoustic slide. I AM IN THE HEAVENLY WAY,a song by Bukka White,has Rory's son Jordan singing with her,Jordan sings with such a growl,you think you're listening to Blind Willie Johnson.Rory continues her tradition of recording songs by Blueswomen of yesteryear.Louise Johnson recorded her music in the '30s,her song LONG WAY FROM HOME is included with Rory on vocals and Jordan on piano. Confessions of a Blues Singer is definitely Rory Block's best album yet.

I can't say enough here - she's been the acoustic blues' best kept secret for quite awhile, I am both glad & sad to say. She deserves all the accolades she gets, but as a longtime fan, I almost hate sharing her music! She does it her own way - which happens to be true the masters. If you want to hear a woman that "sounds like a man" in her approach, pounds a guitar like Charley Patton & has the register all the way to Skip James' falsetto, this is it. Matches "When a Woman gets the Blues." If you're new to the blues, but care for some depth, instead of pop treatment & fluff, BUY IT!

As you listen to this C.D., it's easy to close your eyes and feel the emotions from where this music was born. Rory Block has given us another gift. Listen to classics like "Statesboro Blues" and it's the only version you'll remember! "I'm in a heavenly way" will have you looking for the closest tent revival. The sound of her voice is enough to tell a story, but listen to the words too.

rory block is a native new yorker,but her blues roots travel far down south,brought up a son house and skip james her music is straight from the heart. this cd contains bonnie raitt on "statesboro blues" with rory. this cd takes you on a musical journey that starts and ends at the heart

True mississippi delta blues,no doubt about it.I got to see rory in sarasota florida,I am sorry to say that I had not heard of her before than.What a awakening did I have,I could not believe how strong and true to missippi delta blues she is.Talk about raw blues,you have got to 'LOVE Rory Block.Thanks for all the true missippi delta blues,Ronne Drummond.

Rory Block is, quite simply, the best traditional blues guitarist, man or woman, alive today. Her covers of Robert Johnson songs on this and her other albums are the closest approximations of the originals that I have heard. (Listen to Ramblin' On My Mind.) It is a real treat to hear this kind of traditional blues guitar playing clearly, without the cracks and static of the original artists' recordings. Even better yet, Rory applies her superb traditional Delta blues style to other traditional folk and blues songs as well as her own highly crafted originals. While other master blues musicians like Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt went for the big bucks by going mainstream, Rory Block has remained stubbornly dedicated to her first love, traditional blues. And those of us who love and admire this musical art form are the beneficiaries of her stubbornness.

As I'm sitting here on a Saturday afternoon, I'm playing this CD for the second time in as many days. My wife calls from the next room "Who is this? I really like it." "Rory Block", I say. "Wow, she has a wonderful voice." I agree.

Great reveiws above. They hit the nail on the head. If you ever get a chance to see/hear Rory live, you MUST go! What amazing intensity!