Search - Rory Block :: Tornado

Disappointing

11/04/1998

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered Rory Block one night on Austin City Limits. I was captivated. On stage by herself, performing passionate folk/blues, singing and playing her acoustic guitar as if she meant every word and note. Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez all rolled into one. I went on a quest to find some of her CDs, and eventually bought Mama's Blues, which I liked. I also recently bought Confessions of a Blues Singer, which is even better.Tornado disappointed me. Only three or four of the songs were the bluesy stuff I was expecting. Most of the rest are more mainstream ballady things, and they really drag. I really love the artist, but this was one CD I wished I hadn't bought."

Title track worth the price of this CD!

John Casey | Wheatland, Ca. USA | 08/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rory Block has accumulated enough accolades and awards over the course of her career to where she doesn't have to worry about what her critics may have to say. (That being said) Tornado may not be her best work, but the title track alone is worth the price of this CD. Growling synthezized guitar and keyboards drop into a bluesy gospel-tinged vocal that grab your attention and have you reaching for the volume control (turn it up!). And there are other noteworthy tracks, including the album opener, Mississippi Bottom Blues. This is the Rory we all know and love, putting her finger-picking style up front in a blues-charged rocker. And who can resist Gone Woman Blues, just Rory and her acoustic guitar underscoring her breathy vocals in a moaning, blues-infected tour-de-force. And I challenge anyone to find a more intense vocal from Rory than on "The Last Leviathan"; absolutely jaw-dropping!! These aren't the only great moments on this album, but unfortunately to get to them you have to wade through some surprisingly dull tracks that seem to suffer from over-production. Was Rory trying to be a little too MOR when all she needed to be was herself? But that won't stop this fan from collecting any and everything this woman chooses to record. Buy this CD folks!"