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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Recording for forty years now, Rory Block has devoted the entirety of her newest album to the songs of Robert Johnson. This is no mere dalliance or bandwagon jumping for her, as this music has informed her own musical path from the outset, starting with her love of his records when she was just a child. Her subsequent studies of Rev. Gary Davis, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt and others put her in good stead for understanding the dynamics of one guitar and voice. Like some of those blues masters, Block uses the subtle complexities of fingerpicking combined with occasional slide work to create a whole that has the range of a small combo. What's amazing in hearing these thirteen songs is how fully they became part of the blues lexicon -- not just the individual songs, but their entire bearing. --David Greenberger
Product Description
The spirit of Robert Johnson and the Delta Blues tradition come to life on Rory Block's Rykodisc debut, The Lady and Mr. Johnson. The album, comprised entirely of Robert Johnson's music, may be the most compelling and important release in the blues-woman's 40-year career. An expert slide guitarist and a masterful singer, Block's unmatched understanding of the complexity and of Johnson's music has gained her the resounding support and encouragement of the Johnson family. The album features 13 of Johnson's classics stripped down to the very essence of vocals and acoustic guitar.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
BluesLady,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Lady & Mr Johnson (Audio CD)
After seeing Rory perform in July, I eagerly anticipated this release. A number of artists have done justice to this collection of Robert Johnson songs, notably Eric Clapton, Peter Green, John Hammond and recently Dion. I really believe that Rory matches or exceeds these guys in getting into Robert's skin/soul. Rory's slide guitar is easily as good as Bonnie Raitt and her vocal delivery really communicates. She does not "sing" these songs: she wears them, owns them and breathes them in a most authentic way. Rory is not limited to the blues---check out her cd Tornado.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rory's Best--(so far),
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Lady & Mr Johnson (Audio CD)
Unless you've been living on another planet you've heard of Robert Johnson and heard these songs. They've been covered more times by more people than anyone can count-but never like this! Rory Block herself has even recorded them in the past-but never like this!
I have been a Rory Block fan for a long time and she has long been known as one of the best traditional blues artists around. Her passion and reverence for this music is unmatched and all that passion and reverence come pouring out of this album in a flood. Her singing is straight from the heart and gut and her always superb guitar work is some of the best blues playing I've heard. It just has that Robert Johnson feeling. The most telling words come from Robert Johnson's grandsons themselves, who gave their full support to this project. "Rory Block should have a Doctorate in my grandfather's music"-Steven Johnson. "When I hear Rory Block's music, it's as if my grandfather is here all over again"-Greg Johnson. No one else alive has done these songs better; this is the best traditional blues album I've heard in years!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Lady Plays & Sings Mr. Johnson Without Rival,
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This review is from: Lady & Mr Johnson (Audio CD)
One would be hard pressed to find any other performers take on Johnson's material which would earn 5 stars - it's just no that easy to do!. But Block does so with what appears to be great ease.
Of course that's not to say that she picked up her talent and insight overnight. She's been paying hommage and performing the works of the old blues greats for quite sometime. (I saw her solo at a coffee house in Hartford, CT back circa 1984!) However, this music has now become such an integral part of her that she tosses it off with what appears to be a type of flowing essence - both in skill and interpretion. This recording stands at the top of the heap of all the recent Johnson collections!
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