Rory Block — “Heavy on the Blues” — M.C. Records
Rory Block — and her magnificent mastery of the country blues idiom — have long placed her in the elite tier of acoustic blues interpreters. But that description doesn’t begin to do her, or her massive recorded output, justice.
She’s paid faithful tribute to the male and female originators in dozens of excellent albums, won awards too countless to list, and performed relentlessly for years, after leaving home at 14 to track down the old blues masters and inhale their essence.
Not that she’s a cover artist. Far from it. Block has absorbed the music, the styles, the vocabulary, and filters it through her own sharply honed sensibilities, often creating new music with its roots deep in her own experience. Her music sounds as though it’s been ripped from the primeval mists that shroud the origins of this great American songbook; her vocals ethereal and haunting. All done while retaining the soulful, emotional integrity and raw beauty of the blues.
“Heavy on the Blues” is Block’s latest effort, and while it’s filled with her traditional soulful stylings, its emphasis is on the work of a handful of electric blues pioneers — Little Milton, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor and a slice of Jimi Hendrix. This splendid session is filled with nine interpretations, plus one original, and features three great contemporary guitarists who bring extra life to the mix — Ronnie Earl, Jimmy Vivino, and Joanna Connor. The album still includes her powerful trademark acoustic work on several tracks.
I’m going to depart from my usual comments and instead, use Block’s words lifted from the liner notes to describe the songs, the singers and the reasons behind their selection. Her words are better than mine. However, the quotes I’ve used are only a fraction of what she writes, and those complete insights are easily worth the price of admission to her performance here.
“High Heel Sneakers” by Tommy Tucker
“This great little song is one of my all time favs. I think it suits my personality. I sing first about personal experiences — sometimes sorrow, loss and pain. But I can turn suddenly to lighthearted and silly. I love fun, and have a whacky sense of humor. You gotta laugh (just to keep from)…”
“Walking The Back Streets” by Little Milton, featuring Ronnie Earl on guitar
“My inspiration always begins with an overwhelming desire to sing a specific song — this one a killer blues song I first heard performed by Koko Taylor.”
“What Kind Of Woman Is This” by Buddy Guy, featuring Jimmy Vivino on guitar
“So deep, so cool, so slammin’! If it hits hard like this, if it rockets through to the core, it would be wrong not to record it.”
“Hold To His Hand” – Traditional
“I encountered great gospel music at the same time I heard early blues. It was simply the best singing I’d ever heard, pared with spiritual passion that could change a life.”
“The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix, featuring Joanna Connor on guitar
“Jimi Hendrix walked the streets of Greenwich Village when I was growing up — a stunning presence, handsome and incredibly charismatic. Walking past him meant trying not to stare for too long. He always dressed impressively — often brass buttons glinted on his jacket. Hendrix was part of the mystique of the times, the presence of musical greatness at a pivotal time.”
“Down The Dirt Road Blues” by Charley Patton
“Country Blues was my first love, an obsession that has lasted a lifetime. It will never leave me. Charley Patton exemplified the deepest possible soul and power. His music rocked my world. I can’t listen to Charley Patton without getting overwhelmed with emotion.”
“Mississippi Blues” by Willie Brown
“ ‘Mississippi Blues’ is one of the most stunning and beautiful Country Blues songs ever written. While I have recorded it several times before, it is deeply sentimental for me to record it again. It symbolizes the musical energy and inspiration of my formative years.”
“Me And My Chauffeur” by Memphis Minnie
“Memphis Minnie is one of the greats, a classic, and one of the most outstanding Country Blues guitar players as well. As usual the Country Blues women were outspoken and clear about just about everything.”
“Can’t Quit That Stuff” by Rory Block
“The guitar parts were initially inspired by Bukka White’s “Jitterbug Swing,” but then the lyrics veered off totally and the guitar parts were also altered by my rogue slide playing. I found myself telling the story of my backstage conversation with the great Hubert Sumlin, iconic guitar player for Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and others.”
“Stay Around A Little Longer” by Buddy Guy
“You know how it goes. You’re listening to music online and then one artist pops up front and center, and that’s how I came across “Stay Around A Little Longer.” BB King and Buddy Guy were sitting together trading lyrics and solos on this deeply moving song. I knew at once I had to record it. They say tomorrow is not promised, and as we all know you don’t have to be old to leave this world, which just underscores the beauty of being grateful for every minute. I resonate with this song because I can hardly believe I’m still here, and still making music. What a great gift, to be able to do what I love!”
The powerful statement of “Heavy on the Blues” is a compelling choice for Block, who is primarily an acoustic artist, but fits comfortably into this mixed groove. Her previous album, though, was also a departure — the elegant Bob Dylan tribute, “Positively Fourth Street.” Both show alternative sides of Block’s talent; both are ambitious and welcome additions to her already impressive body of work.
If you’re not already a Rory Block fan (although that’s hard to imagine!), consider this album a starting point for your exploration of her life’s work of breathing new life into this classic American music. Her depth of feeling and emotional commitment to her music is nothing short of extraordinary.
Here’s an older, live performance of “Mississippi Blues,” reprised on this album:
Tracklist:
- High Heel Sneakers
3:33 | TOMMY TUCKER - Walking The Back Streets W/Ronnie Earl
6:07 | LITTLE MILTON - What Kind Of Woman Is This W/Jimmy Vivino
3:55 | BUDDY GUY - Hold To His Hand
4:25 | TRADITIONAL - The Wind Cries Mary W/Joanna Connor
3:33 | JIMI HENDRIX - Down The Dirt Road Blues
3:49 | CHARLEY PATTON - Mississippi Blues
4:16 | WILLIE BROWN - Me And My Chauffeur
2:48 | MEMPHIS MINNIE - Can’t Quit That Stuff
3:53 | RORY BLOCK - Stay Around A Little Longer
4:20 | BUDDY GUY
Blues Roadhouse 