A Blues Mama, Yes She Is

Reviewed by Alfred Johnson, 2009-05-18

Apparently I am to have a love/hate "relationship' in reviewing the CDs of Ms. Rory Block. I have thus far expressed my gratitude for her fine work in her "Gone Woman's Blues" album (as well as `saving' me, see that review in this space for the details). I, however, had to pan her 1994 effort, "Angel Of Mercy", as it did not "speak" to me. In that review I made the following point:

"... Rory, I believe, has always had two speeds. The natural blues one and the contemporary folk stylist one. That latter style is on display here and not to her benefit. Probably, and here I may get back into "hot water" politically, the main problem is that the lyrics of these songs do not "speak" to me. It could be age, it could be gender, it could be the wayward subjects but they just do not resonant with me. Not to worry though there are other Rory CDs that do "speak" to me and will get more a more positive review like the one given to "Gone Woman Blues"."

Well, with this CD we are back on the positive side that I mentioned in that review. Partially it is due to the point above about letting her natural bluesy side show, as exemplified here by her own title track song" I've Got A Rock In My Sock", Charley Patton's "Moon's Goin' Down" and the Willie Brown classic "M&O Blues". That tips it to the positive side, no matter what else is here. However, even her folk stylist persona is ratcheted up a notch on this one. "Love and Whiskey" is evocative and rings true as coming from someone having taken a few blows from life's sometimes mysterious doings. And "Send The Man Back Home" is well, just good advise as you will learn as the lyrics unfold. Kudos.