Search - Rory Block :: I'm Every Woman

Rory Block hits the soul train with cover songs/genre album

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 02/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rory Block is well known as an interpreter of electrified country blues but here, she took a detour in doing soul covers, which may have irritated her core fans. On the other hand, maybe a change in style is as good as a rest, provided it's well-performed. The guitar ditties that introduce and close the album is the only semblance of her usual style.The title track of this album is a cover of Chaka Khan's hit song. The present of disco synths and thumping drums along with her acoustic slide guitar is quite a change from what one expects, but it's still good, as it doesn't trash the original. Then comes Curtis Mayfield's "Fool For You" shows she can handle soul music with equal aplomb thanks to the female backing chorus."Sea Lion Woman" is an example of a capella chant, and one of the few traditional songs she performs. Another is the stark a capella "Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down" which was recorded at a church in New York and sports some gospel backup singers. Block's voice retains its hardy power even in her upper soulful ranges.She does Al Green's "Tired Of Being Alone" with the horns duplicating 70's soul stylings. One of my favourites here is her cover of the smooth and laid back "Love TKO" by Womack and Womack.Her rendition of the traditional song "Rock Island Line" popularized by Leadbelly. The instrumentation is clapping and harmonica, with vocals shared with Paul Rishell and Annie Raines.Block wrote the romantic "Talkin' 'Bout My Man" which is a nod to gospel-tinged soul, with a piano arrangement and backing singers that gives it a 70's flavour. Another standout track. The good feelings continue with disco-soul flavourings when she and Keb' Mo' duet on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrelle's "Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing.""Hold On/Change Is Coming" has an introductory speech from Reverend Herb Sheldon before Block launches into the Sounds of Blackness number. And she gets good marks on Ann Peebles' "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" which does have blues stylings that make her feel at home. Jeff Mironov's electric guitars gives that bluesy tinge to the song.A combination cover songs album and genre album, in this case 70's soul and a capella gospel, Block acquits herself easily enough. On her next album, Last Fair Deal, she would return to her usual style."

What a voice!! and guitar too

Mitchell Lopate | Silverdale, WA | 12/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Praise the heavens, this woman can soar with a vocal range that must hit at least seven octaves-and she can unleash a blues explosion on acoustic guitar with a slide for the fuse. The title song has enough shakin' and bakin' to burn those extra calories, but it's her stunning voice that gives you a workout through a firewalk on 2000-degree coals with blistering gospel numbers like "Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down." Love has found a maiden as strong as steel when someone has to take a stand and be the backbone of R&B tradition, or as delicate as silk when Rory's got the testifying need to be "Talkin' `Bout My Man.""

Mixed bag

Howard Teitel | nyc | 02/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"on the new cd filled with versions of classic r & b to acoustic blues rory guitar playong is perfect and her singing brings you back to the masters of years past. the music is enriched with tradition and deep rooted feeling for the music she loves. with
guest appearences by kebmo and kelly joe phillips and others there is something for eveyone from the great duet pretty polly with kelly joe and here electric version of feel like breaking up someone home, there is every type of blues on this cd."