Rory Block Bio
Rory Block (born as 'Aurora Block', November 6, 1949) is an
American female blues guitarist and singer, a notable exponent
of the country blues style.
Rory Block was born in Princeton, New Jersey and grew up in
Manhattan. Her father, Allan Block, ran a sandal shop in Greenwich
Village in the 1960s, and the constant presence of members
of the Greenwich Village folk music scene made an impression
on the young girl, who studied classical guitar. Around age
14, she began to be fascinated by old Mississippi Delta blues,
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 moved to California where
she played in clubs and coffeehouses.
After retiring temporarily to raise a family, Block returned
to the music business in the 1970s with middling success until
signing with Rounder Records in 1981, who encouraged her to
return to her love for the classical blues form. Since then
she has carved out her own niche, releasing numerous critically
acclaimed albums of original and traditional songs, including
many Robert Johnson covers. Block has won four W. C. Handy
Awards, two for "Traditional Blues Female Artist"
(1997, 1998), and two for "Acoustic Blues Album of the
Year" (1996, 1999).
Discography
* 1965 How to Play Blues Guitar, Elektra (artist credited
as "Sunshine Kate")
* 1975 Rory Block, RCA Victor 0733
* 1976 Rory Block (I'm in Love), Blue Goose Records 2022
* 1977 Intoxication, So Bitter Sweet, Chrysalis 1157
* 1979 You're the One, Chrysalis 1233
* 1978 How to Play the Blues Guitar, Kicking Mule 109
* 1982 High Heeled Blues, Rounder 3061
* 1983 Blue Horizon, Rounder 3073
* 1983 Rhinestone & Steel Strings, Rounder 3085
* 1986 I've Got a Rock in My Sock!, Rounder 3097
* 1987 Best Blues and Originals, Rounder 11525
* 1987 House of Hearts, Rounder 3104
* 1991 Mama's Blues (live), Rounder 3117
* 1992 Ain't I A Woman, Rounder 3120
* 1994 Angel of Mercy, Rounder 3126
* 1995 When A Woman Gets The Blues, Rounder 3139 (1996 Acoustic
Blues Album of the Year)
* 1995 Turning Point, Munich 145
* 1996 Tornado, Rounder 3140
* 1997 Gone Woman Blues: The Country Blues Collection, Rounder
11575
* 1997 The Early Tapes 1975-1976, Alcazar
* 1998 Confessions Of A Blues Singer, Rounder 3154 (1999
Acoustic Blues Album of the Year)
* 2002 I'm Every Woman, Rounder 3174
* 2002 Women In (E)motion (live?), Rounder
* 2003 Last Fair Deal, Telarc CD-83593
* 2004 Sisters & Brothers (with Eric Bibb and Maria
Muldaur), Telarc CD-83588
* 2005 From The Dust, Telarc CD-83614
* 2006 The Lady and Mr. Johnson, Rykodisc RCD 10872
