Rory Block - Angel of Mercy

Block moves completely away from the blues form on this release, doing original pieces that evoke the familiar themes of alienation, anguish and romantic conflicts, but in a production climate geared more toward folk and singer/songwriter arrangements than 12-bar settings. She still plays excellent guitar solos and accompaniment, but her vocals are now powerful or mournful, questioning or declarative, and she's unconcerned with trying to capture the quality of someone else's compositions. The disc's final selection, the nine-minute-plus "A Father and Two Sons," reworks the biblical Prodigal son tale with a contemporary focus, featuring wonderful vocal interaction between Block and her son Jordan. This album showcases Rory Block's own sound and vision and deserves widespread praise and attention. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Name Credits Amy Fraden Vocals (Background) Brendan Croker Slide Guitar Brian Keane Programming Dan Dugmore Guitar, Guitar (Steel) Dave Pomeroy Producer, Bass J.D. Martin Composer James Kasanof Vocal Harmony Jeff Mironov Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar (Electric) Jerry Marotta Drums John Gardner Drums John Sebastian Harmonica Johnathan Biebisheimer Programming Jordan Block Valdina Vocal Harmony, Vocals Larry Chaney Guitar (Electric) Larry Knechtel Piano Michael Mugrage Guitar (Electric) Neal Wilkinson Drums Paul Block Vocal Harmony Richard Bell Piano (Electric), Organ Rob Leon Bass Ron Bach Programming, Synthesizer, Producer Rory Bach Guitar, Vocals Rory Block Guitar, Vocal Harmony, Vocals (Background), Programming, Arranger, Composer Sam Bacco Percussion Vinnie Martucci Clavinet, Horn Warren Bernhardt Piano (Electric), Piano