Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavy On The Blues , from Rory Block and it's a hip, blues rocker. Opening with Tommy Tucker 's High Heel Sneakers , Rory Block sets a great pace on acoustic guitar and excellent slide supporting her own vocals on this rocking track. Buddy Guy 's funky, What Kind Of Woman Is This is very soulful with Block squeezing the vocals and sharing guitar lead/slide with Jimmy Vivino . Right in the slot. Spiritual, Hold To His Hand is one of the strongest tracks on the release with Block overlaying her own voice over her own voice choir style for a very nice outcome. Charley Patton 's Down The Dirt Road Blues has a real earthy feel with Block grinding out the blues vocally and deft finger style accompaniment on acoustic guitar. Memphis Minnie 's Me And My Chauffeur is a great track with Block's notable acoustic guitar accompaniment and warm slide styling. Her vocals on this track are particularly effecti...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Positively 4th Street , by Rory Block and it's a stylized tribute to Bob Dylan. Opening with Everything Is Broken , Block gets it rocking with layered guitars and slide, backed by light snare and bass backing her trademark vocals. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Not Dark Yet , a strong blues with Block working guitar magic against her soulful vocals. Smooth slide and concise picking really makes this track stand out. One of my favorite Dylan compositions, Positively 4th Street this is a nice cover with slide accompaniment and drums. Block really captures Dylan's feel on this one. Wrapping the release is Murder Most Foul , a tough track and well dramatized by Block. This is an interesting exploration of one of America's greatest songwriters.    If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like -...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Prove It On Me , by Rory Block and it's pretty tasty. Opening with Helen Humes' He May Be Your Man , Rory Block uses her laid back bluesy style with some of her best vocals in years, matched by her always concise guitar riffs. Excellent opener. Stuff Smith's If You're a Viper is a great tune, paying tribute to Rosetta Howard. Block's vocals are altered into a cool, more vintage feel and with light percussion and great slide, all played by Block. Very nice. Ma Rainey's Prove It On Me is the title track and shines brightly with full, thick vocals and sweet slide work. Blocks really hits her stride on this release, with a clean contemporary recording of excellent old classics. Memphis Minnie's In My Girlish Days is among my favorites on the release with rich vocal styling and Block's well known slide techniques, backed by her own angelic harmonies. Merline Johnson's Milk Man Blues (Yas...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, A Woman's Soul , A tribute to Bessie Smith, from Rory Block and it's solid. Opening with sassy, Do Your Duty , Rory Block shows she's up to the challenge with strong vocals, percussion and cool slide work. Cool opener. Kitchen Man has stylistic vocals and sparse but tight guitar riffs keeping the track sounding authentic. Give Me A Pigfoot and A Bottle Of Beer is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Block really digging in vocally and fuller slide work giving the track a more complex sound overall. I'm Down In The Dumps has a great story telling quality with a moderate guitar accompaniment and nicely articulated slide work. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Empty Bed Blues , a typically suggestive song with steady pace and dynamics. Block really enjoys this performance and it shows as it fades off. Nicely done.   If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and wa...

Mark Pucci Media is happy to announce that our artists have received 8 nominations for the upcoming Blues Blast Music Awards! Here’s the entire list of our nominees & we’d appreciate your consideration in voting for these well-deserved artists. Information on how & when to vote is listed at the end. 2015 Blues Blast Music Award Nominations Traditional Blues Album ·          Mud Morganfield  &  Kim Wilson  - For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters) Soul Blues Album ·          Otis Clay  &  Johnny Rawls  - Soul Brothers ·          Tad Robinson  - Day Into Night Rock Blues Album ·          Tinsley Ellis  - Tough Love Acoustic Blues Album ·          Big Dave Mclean  - Faded But Not Gone ·   ...

I just received the newest release (October 21, 2014), Hard Luck Child , from Rory Block and I think that it's the best yet of her "Mentor Series" releases. This album, a tribute to the incredible Skip James, opens with the only original Block track, Nehemiah James , which is a interpretive story of James life with slick slide work. Special Rider Blues is up next and Block not only shows her mastery of side, but also hits the vocals quite nicely. Cypress Grove Blues is so much James at his best, Block translates it nicely and her finger picking and slide work is fine. If You Haven't Had Any Hay, Get On Down The Road is a country blues style track with Block giving it a bit of a contemporary feel vocally over traditional picking styling. Little Cow and Calf Is Gonna Die Blues is another song in a somewhat Piedmont style but with a more contemporary feel. Block overdubbing herself with picking and slide in quite nice. My absolute favorite track on the release, an...

Acclaimed Blues Artist Rory Block Salutes Skip James on Her New CD, Hard Luck Child , Coming October 21 on Stony Plain Records Latest Album Is the Fifth in Her “Mentor Series” Paying Tribute to Those Blues Masters Who’ve Influenced Her Music EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces an October 21 release date for Hard Luck Child: a Tribute to Skip James , the fifth in acclaimed acoustic blues artist Rory Block’s “Mentor Series” of recordings saluting those blues masters who’ve had a profound influence on her music. On her latest album, the multi-Blues Music Award winner pays tribute to Skip James, one of the most important country blues artists in history, whose songs have been recorded by a host of contemporary musicians over the years including Cream, who covered perhaps his most famous song, “I’m So Glad,” on their debut album in 1966. The 10 tracks on Hard Luck Child include nine original Skip James songs and the Rory Block original compositi...

I just received the newest release (June 4, 2013), Avalon , from Rory Block and it's quite different! This is the 4th CD in Blocks noted "Mentor" series of releases in tribute to blues masters. (Earlier releases included Gary Davis tribute I Belong To The Band, Fred McDowell tribute Shake'em on Down and Son House tribute Blues Walkin' Like A Man). Opening with Everybody Loves John , Block shows her solid finger work and slide playing. This  track works particularly well as arranged by Block capturing Hurts unique style. Next up is Avalon , a cool track which has a smooth silky sound. One of the all time favorites, Candy Man , is next and with it's quick pace. Block nicely articulates the finger work and curious talk during the guitar work. Nice touch. Frankie & Albert has an even more intricate pattern and slide work. Really nice! Got the Blues Can't Be Satisfied has a lazy pace and allows space for very clean picking and guitar ring. It's ni...

Acclaimed Blues Artist Rory Block Salutes Mississippi John Hurt on Her New CD, Avalon , Coming June 4 on Stony Plain Records Latest Album Is the Fourth in Her “Mentor Series” Paying Tribute to Those Blues Masters Who’ve Influenced Her Music EDMONTON, AB – Multi-award-winning blues singer/guitarist Rory Block will release the fourth CD in her “Mentor Series” on June 4 with Avalon on Stony Plain Records, a tribute to blues master Mississippi John Hurt. Previous Rory Block salutes have been to Rev. Gary Davis ( I Belong to the Band ), Mississippi Fred McDowell ( Shake ‘em on Down ) and Son House ( Blues Walkin’ Like a Man ). Like the others before it, on Avalon Rory Block pays a loving reverence to another of the blues greats whose influences have made a major impact on her career path and music. Ten of the 11 tracks on the new CD are songs associated with Hurt’s repertoire; while the lone original tune - which leads off the album - “Everybody Loves...

Aurora "Rory" Block (born November 6, 1949, Princeton, New Jersey, United States) is an American female blues guitarist and singer, a notable exponent of the country blues style. Aurora Block was born in Princeton and grew up in Manhattan. Her father, Allan Block, ran a sandal shop in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, and the influence of the Greenwich Village folk music scene, such as Peter Rowan, Maria Muldaur, and John Sebastian, tempted Block to study classical guitar. At the age of 14, she met guitarist Stefan Grossman, who introduced her to the music of Mississippi Delta blues guitarists. Block began listening to old albums, transcribing them, and learning to play the songs. At age 15, she left home to seek out the remaining blues giants, such as Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis, and Son House, and hone her craft in the traditional manner of blues musicians; then she traveled to Berkeley, California where she played in clubs and coffeehouses. After retiring ...

I have just received a copy of Maria Muldaur 's newest release, ... First Came Memphis Minnie (available October 9, 2012). Muldaur has elnisted a virtual who's who of blues royalty including Rory Blck, Ruthie Foster, Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Koko Taylor, Del Rey, David Bromberg, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Roy Rogers, Steve James and Steve Freund . First up is Me And My Chauffeur Blues with Muldaur on vocals and Roy Rogers on guitar. This is a really nice cover and one of Minnie's gems. Bonnie Raitt and Freund do a great version of Ain't Nothin' In Ramblin' . On I'm Goin' Back Home , Muldair teams up with Alvin Youngblood Hart for a very classic sounding duet. (Certainly one of my favorites tracks on the release). I'm Sailin' featuring Muldaur on vocals with Del Rey and Steve James on guitars shows Muladur's voice at it's best. Rory Block takes the lead on When You Love Me both on vocals and guitars. Long As I Can See You Smile , agai...

Mark Pucci Media MARK PUCCI MEDIA CONGRATULATES ITS ARTISTS NOMINATED FOR THE 2012 LIVING BLUES AWARDS READER’S POLL Blues Artist of the Year (Male) – Johnny Rawls Best Blues Album of 2011 (New Recordings) – Johnny Rawls, Memphis Still Got Soul Blues Artist of the Year (Female) – Rory Block Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) – Duke Robillard Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards) – Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Best Blues DVD of 2011 – Guy Davis, Guitar Artistry of Guy Davis: Teller of Tales All ballots must be received by July 10, 2012. Vote for one choice only in each category. All ballots must have valid contact details. Only one ballot per person is allowed. To vote, follow this link and click on the VOTE button: http://www.livingblues.com/ .

I have just received and had the opportunity to review the third in Rory Block 's "Mentor" series of Blues Artists. This new CD, I Belong To The Band - A Tribute To Rev. Gary Davis follows earlier tributes to Son House and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Block developed a personal relationship with Davis in the mid sixties when she accompanied Stefan Grossman to Davis' home for lessons. Block has learned the masters lessons well and is certainly an accomplished guitarist. This CD covers 11 of Davis' best loved songs and includes two of of my personal favorites in Sampson and Delilah and Death Don't Have No Mercy . Block does a particularly nice job on Lord, I Feel Just Like Goin ' On not only with her own vocal and guitar work but with particularly cool backing vocals. Another stand out track is Lo, I Be With You Always . If you love the traditional fingerpicking style of blues and want a new take on one of the true masters, this is an interesting more contem...

RORY BLOCK SALUTES REVEREND GARY DAVIS ON NEW STONY PLAIN CD, I BELONG TO THE BAND , COMING MAY 29 NEW TRIBUTE IS THE THIRD IN THE BLUES SINGER/GUITARIST’S “MENTOR” SERIES OF ARTISTS WHO’VE INFLUENCED HER MUSIC EDMONTON , AB – Stony Plain Records announces a May 29 release date for the new CD from multi-award-winning blues singer/guitarist Rory Block, I Belong to the Band: a Tribute to Reverend Gary Davis. The new CD is the third in what Rory calls her “mentor” series saluting blues masters she met in person and greatly influenced her as a musician. It follows the release of similar tributes to Son House and Mississippi Fred McDowell, for which her CD, Shake ‘em on Down , earned Blues Music Award nominations in the Acoustic Artist and Acoustic Album categories for Rory at the upcoming event in Memphis on May 10. “I cried during the recording of this CD,” Rory Block says in the album’s liner notes. “While listening to the music, memories of a precious time c...