Customer Reviews

Guitar Artistry of Rory Block Country Blues Guitar

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I saw Rory for the first time at a small venue and her show was wonderful, her knowledge, mastery and interpretations of old country blues classics probably second to none. The brief dialogue between songs was welcomed warmly and brought her right out into the audience. After the show she was available to chat and sign some of her products. Having a couple of cd's already, I asked her which dvd she would recommend and she picked and signed this one over one recorded in concert (This is all in-studio). While the music once again is great, the extensive monologue between cuts was a bit winded. As John Lee Hooker so aptly sang, "You Talk Too Much", at least on this disc. I wish she told me what to expect. If you have not seen her live, do it!

Rory Block is a bit of an acquired taste...for me. She is beautiful, histrionic and one hell of a guitar player. I don't think this woman ever gives less than 100% and it shows on this DVD. I found the dialogue to be interesting and the performances intense and involving - in plain English, I could not look away. Rory really brings the concept of performance art to fruition. Not only is she a remarkable guitar player, interpreter of country blues, and musicologist, she is also a show unto herself - much like her muse, Son House. The acquired taste part is that the visual part of her art - her total involvement with the music has the potential to be distracting. Having said that, I invested the time to go beyond the visual and to engage with her from my heart. I am enchanted. This is well worth your entertainment dollar.