Rory Block

Rory Block is a Gold-album selling and 7-time Blues Music Award winner, widely regarded as the top female performer of traditional country-blues worldwide. Rory's commitment as a blues preservationist with an ear for finding the soul of every song she performs has rewarded her with accolades from the blues and roots music community. ' Ain't Nobody Worried' is a tribute to some of the most iconic female soul & R&B artists of that ruled radio waves from the past five decades. Rory's new arrangements of chart topping hits originally performed by such icons as Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples and Koko Taylor, as well as contemporary artists as Tracy Chapman and Bonnie Raitt bring new life to the songs and is a tribute to the original performers. Rory plays all guitars, percussion and vocals on the album.

Rory Block is the most celebrated living female acoustic blues artist. On her fifth release in the acclaimed 'Mentor Series' on Stony Plain, Rory pays tribute to Skip James, one of the most important country blues artists in history. Rory actively tours internationally and each new release is a high profile occasion in the blues community. "Today, she is regarded as the top female interpreter and authority on traditional blues worldwide".

As its title implies, this is a spiritually based collaboration from three distinct - even disparate - yet surprisingly harmonious voices. Mostly, but not entirely acoustic, the trio of rootsy singers trade lead vocals on smooth jazz/blues (“Bessie’s Dream”), folk-blues (“Good Stuff”), Delta blues (“Rolling Log”), gospel (an a cappella version of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Rock Daniel”), and combinations of those genres.

What does a woman do when she gets the blues? If she is blues wizard Rory Block, she gets out her guitar and starts singing and playing until her spirits lift. That is exactly what she does on this 1995 Rounder recording. The CD features her son, Jordan Block Valdina, on vocals with her, along with Annie Raines on harmonica and Warren Bernhardt on piano and harmonica. Together, they reach back in time for some tried-and-true blues, as well as one original from the pen of the blues diva. "Take My Heart Away" is Block's own contribution to the recording, which won her a W.C. Handy award in 1996 for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Rory Block is quite impressive. Ignoring the fact that she is a white woman singing older-style blues in the 1990s, Block compares favorably to many of the top country-blues artists of the 1930s. Highlights of her very enjoyable set include Robert Johnson's "Terraplane Blues," a pair of Tommy Johnson classics and two songs recorded by Bessie Smith ("Do Your Duty" and "Weepin' Willow Blues"). Block's own originals (which have intelligent lyrics) sound more contemporary (with the influences of R&B, pop and gospel being felt), which alters the general mood of the release a bit. However, even with its brief playing time (38 minutes), her CD is highly recommended as a fine example of the work of this talented blues performer.

After establishing her blues credentials with the traditional "Mississippi Bottom Blues," Rory Block turns to a set of original folk-rock songs on which she is joined by a band and such guests as David Lindley (who plays a guitar solo on "Pictures of You") and Mary Chapin Carpenter (who sings harmony on "You Didn't Mind"). Block brings a blues simplicity and directness to her music and lyrics, which helps ease her transition from folk-blues interpreter to folk-rock singer/songwriter.

A somber, morose mood permeated this album dedicated to Block's son, guitarist Thiele David Biehusen, who died in a car crash at age 20 and whose voice can be heard on the answering machine in the lengthy final cut "House of Hearts." There are also other equally gripping tunes, like "Farewell Young Man," "Heavenly Bird" and "Bonnie Boy." Block's voice was at its most mournful, and this is both a deeply moving work and a downer of an album. It's impossible not to be affected hearing Block's singing or these lyrics; anyone who's been through any remotely similar experience will feel the pain, and even those who haven't can't help but share in her sadness.

Rory Block Debuts New “Power Women of the Blues” Album Series with Bessie Smith Tribute CD, A Woman’s Soul, Due July 6 from Stony Plain Records

Ain't Nobody Worried is a tribute to some of the most iconic female soul & R&B artists of that ruled radio waves from the past five decades.