This album has been a long time coming for Rory Block. Her new cd “The Lady and Mr. Johnson” is one of the first albums of Robert Johnson’s music done by a female singer. While Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the devil so he could learn to play the guitar quickly, Block has taken 42 years to put this masterpiece of a tribute together after she first heard his music in 1964. With the exception of a gospel choir that sings with her on “Crossroad Blues”, Block’s guitar and voice are all that your hear channeling the spirit of “The King of the Delta Blues Singers.”
Since her recording career began in the late 70’s, Block has risen to become one of the premier acoustic blues players in the world but this album will wow even those who are already very familiar with her music. Playing with a socket wrench for a slide she has perfected the unique style Johnson had of playing bass and slide notes at the same time and brings a female perspective to these long time male-only blues rants like “Walking Blues” “Ramblin' on my Mind” and “32-20 Blues”. She gives a whole new meaning to standards like “Come on in My Kitchen” and “Kind Hearted Woman Blues” on which she changes the gender in the lyrics but not the title.
Her vocal delivery transcends anything she done up until now as she growls, moans, yodels and mumbles her way through these numbers like Johnson couldn’t even do because of his high reedy voice and ancient recording standards. It’s anything but feminine and yet she brings a sense of dignity and world weariness to these classics that are necessary ingredients for any student of the blues. Although Robert Johnson only recorded 29 songs during his brief career, it’s tributes like these that continue to enhance his legend and further define these songs as blues classics for generations to come.
Listen for lots of songs from "The Lady and Mr. Johnson" all this week on Paul Shugrue's new music show "Out of the Box" weeknights from 7-9pm and Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm on Public Radio in Hampton Roads 89.5 WHRV