The Lady and Mr. Johnson

Rory Block

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 15, 2006)
• Original Release Date: August 15, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B000F5GKO0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,884 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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 recording, comprised entirely of Robert Johnson’s music, may be the most compelling and important release in the celebrated blueswoman’s 40-year career. An expert slide guitarist and a masterful singer, Block’s unmatched understanding of the complexity and form of Johnson’s music has gained her the resounding support and encouragement of the Johnson family and the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation. The album features thirteen of the King of the Delta Blues’ classics stripped down to the very essence of vocals and acoustic guitar.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BluesLady, August 29, 2006

By	Gaylen Halbert (Weimar, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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. Also look ahead to her collaboration with Robert Johnson's grandson.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lady Plays & Sings Mr. Johnson Without Rival, January 16, 2007

By	Thomas H. Moody "Music Enthusiast" (Nobleboro, ME United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rory's Best--(so far), September 12, 2006

By	Michael Bushey "MTU Mike" (Presque Isle, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!