Search - Rory Block :: Gone Woman Blues: Country Blues Collection

Awesome traversal of tradtitional country blues

wrj@one.net | cincinnati, oh | 07/14/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rory is the best--bar none. The disc is best heard in one sitting to comprehend the scope and power of her delivery. After you hear the disc, then try to catch her live--an incredible experience."

A fine country blues compilation

Lakeside Listener | Clear Lake, CA USA | 01/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rory Block is probably at her strongest on country blues and gospel numbers, which show off beautifully the techniques she picked up in childhood, listening to masters like Robert Johnson, Son House, Skip James, John Hurt and many others. (She even studied with many of them.) The "Gone Woman Blues" compilation includes some of her best country blues cuts from a recording career that stretches back to the mid-1970s. She is a master of the guitar and her remarkable vocal range perfectly fits the country blues style, allowing her to rove all over the scale in harmony with the sliding treble notes she coaxes from her instrument. I've seen some reviewers sniff at her for being too white, but I've read the same sily criticism of Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb, and I'm not buying it. Those who like acoustic country blues shoud let this artist take them soaring with her. With a collection of her best, how could anyone go wrong? Definitely a five-star release."

Great country blues interpretations

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 01/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rory Block is a close student of country blues, evident in the 24 songs collected here from 5 of her previous albums. Not a copyist per se, she inflects enough stylistic characteristics of the masters she adores in her versions to remind those familiar with the originals exactly where she's coming from. The way she does Tommy Johnson's falsetto near-howls on BIG ROAD BLUES and COOL DRINK OF WATER produces an affect just as haunting as on the originals. Her deep, smoky voice and the way she ends many of her vocal lines with a near sigh or sudden loss of breath are very effective. Her choice of material is fabulous and she has the pipes and guitar technique to pull off these masterful works from Robert Johnson (her version of COME ON IN MY KITCHEN is among the best I've ever heard; only Taj Mahal's can compare) to Henry Thomas's RAILROADIN' SOME to Bessie Smith's DO YOUR DUTY. Each is a delight to hear. Country blues fans should love this album - it's a total knockout."