Shirley inspired -
Keywords
Reviews (3)
All about jazz
d. 11. Aug. 2018
By
By
C. Michael Bailey
d. 11. Aug. 2018
"Blues guitarist and vocalist Rory Block serves up an inspired portrait of and homage to Bessie Smith on A Woman's Soul: A Tribute to Bessie Smith. Block has recorded several "tribute" albums, including Blues Walkin' Like a Man: A Tribute to Son House (Stoney Plain, 2008); Shake 'Em On Down: A Tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowall (Stoney Plain, 2011); I Belong to the Band: A Tribute to Rev. Gary Davis (Stoney Plain, 2012); Avalon: A Tribute to Mississippi John Hurt (Stoney Plain, 2013); Hard Luck Child: A Tribute to Skip James (Stoney Plain, 2014) and Keepin' Outta Trouble: A Tribute to Bukka White (Stoney Plain, 2016). Block's grasp on each artist's unique style is matched only by her innate ability to take this music and make it in her image. This is beyond impressive. It is stone-cold grace".
Elmore magazine
d. 7. July 2018
By
By
Jim Hynes
d. 7. July 2018
"Rory Block, as you'd expect, has done Bessie proud. Although it has not been revealed who follows in the series, the liners hint toward Memphis Minnie, Mattie Delaney, Ida Cox, Bertha Lee, and, of course, Ma Rainey. As tantalizing as that seems, settle in. Enjoy Rory's take on Bessie's amazing songs".
Living blues
2018 August
By
By
Robert H. Cataliotti
2018 August
"She doesn't try to recreate Smith's sound and style. Her approach is deeply rooted in the musicians she honored in the Mentor series, and she wisely sticks to what she knows, adapting Smith's repertoire to her own country blues, guitar-driven style. Block accompanies herself with multi-tracked bass, hand percussion and occasional backup vocals, crafting in-the-pocket grooves that enable her to take flight with her vocals and guitar mastery ... Block does a great job staying true to her signature approach to the blues and simultaneously evoking the majesty of Smith's achievements".