Search - Rory Block :: Lady & Mr Johnson

BluesLady

Gaylen Halbert | Weimar, California United States | 08/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Rory's Best--(so far)

Michael Bushey | Presque Isle, MI | 09/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

The Lady Plays & Sings Mr. Johnson Without Rival

Thomas H. Moody | Nobleboro, ME United States | 01/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"