Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

A Tribute to Son House by Rory Block
Stony Plain Records

Without question, Rory Block is and has been playing an important and necessary role in preserving the roots of Blues music. This effort is further proof. Rory was born in New Jersey and raised in Manhattan. She picked up the guitar at the age of ten. At fifteen, she visited Reverend Gary Davis at his home in the Bronx and fell in love with the Blues. Soon after, she hit the road. Heading south, she apprenticed at the feet of Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt. She played with Son House in his home and considers him her “most influential Blues Master.”
In 1996, she won the W.C. Handy Award for “Best Traditional Album” (“When a Woman gets the Blues.”) She was named “Best Traditional Blues Female Artist” in 1997 and 1998. “Confessions of a Blues Singer” brought Rory the “Best Acoustic Blues Album of the Year” award in 1999.
Rory plays a Martin OM-40 Signature Edition and uses a socket as a slide. Her playing is close to perfect on this CD. Her style and talent work perfect in this tribute to Eddie J. “Son” House, JR. It is a match made in Blues heaven. Rory performs thirteen of his songs and never loses her own identity or the original passion that Son House intended. She attacks, “Grinnin’ in your Face,” accapella and her strong vocals carry it well. Her slide guitar shines throughout. On a few numbers, John Sebastian adds a harmonica touch. I will close with a quote from Blues Review: “Rory Block is one of the greatest living acoustic Blues artists…She can hold her own with the legends who inspired her”. Amen.