Rory Block – Positively Fourth Street – A Tribute To Bob Dylan
Several artists have recorded full LPs of nothing but Bob Dylan songs (Judy Collins, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music & Fairport Convention & Friends among others). But a raw voiced, guitar virtuoso like Rory Block – that’s a different turn of the card. On this, Ms. Block opens with the delightful narrative of “Everything Is Broken” — edgy & earthy. It’s one of 9 tracks by the 7-time Blues Music Award-winning artist who brings an interesting take on Dylan music on her Positively Fourth Street – A Tribute To Bob Dylan (Drops June 28/Stony Plain/61:51) produced by Ms. Block & Rob Davis.
What helps these tunes is the more refined vocal of the blues chanteuse over Dylan’s more grating older vocals that persisted on some of this material. Rory has good vocal tonality, inflection & intonation. She keeps the songs true to their original intent & tradition unlike the rearranged mainstream efforts by Manfred Mann (“You Angel You” “Quinn the Eskimo”).
The classic “Like a Rolling Stone” is a bit of a misstep — since Block doesn’t possess a folky assertiveness it sounds like an effort. However, the work is commendable. “Ring Them Bells,” is far better & more captivating. It may also be the spare instrumentation, the surplus of lyrics – it’s not what you’d expect from a blues purveyor. Blues is more about feeling with brief instrumental interludes between guitar or piano lines with a bit of rawness, not wordiness, philosophy & fluency. Folk music can be lyrically challenging.
A song like “Not Dark Yet” is closer to the confessional channels of an old-world blues spiced with soul. This version’s more of a funeral dirge than Dylan’s soul-affirming acceptance of what’s evident in life. Block’s voice is good, with lots of inflection, soul-stirring & thoroughly absorbing but not penetrating. Rory’s take is brave & she doesn’t embellish with big drama – she delivers here with soul rather than blues. With “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Rory navigates closer to a Buffy Saint-Marie immersion & shines better in this folky element.
Criticism? This isn’t the era of a single song running over 20 minutes. “Murder Most Foul” is a laborious exercise & not an easy listen. Rory could’ve laid down 5 more excellent Dylan tunes at 4 minutes each. This is an intense song but 20 minutes? Who has that attention span?
There are lots of exceptional guitar moments. Rory interprets the covers well. Even the classic “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” has its precision in an opulent spare performance. Rory’s an amazing musician & remains true to the Dylan tradition & maintains a reverence for each tune.
Highlights – “Everything Is Broken,” “Ring Them Bells,” “Not Dark Yet,” “Mr. Tambourine Man” & “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.”
Musicians – Rory (all instruments/Martin Guitars & Strings/vocals/percussion), Cindy Cashdollar (baritone guitar) & Larry Pogreba (baritone Weissenborn).
Color image courtesy of Sergio Kurhajec. Cover image courtesy of David Gahr/Estate of David Gahr. CD @https://roryblock.bandcamp.com/album/positively-4th-street
Find our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Rory Block “Ain’t Nobody Worried”
