Product Code Database
Aurora " Rory" Block (born November 6, 1949) is an American blues guitarist and singer, a notable exponent of the country blues style. (1995). 9780851126739, Guinness Publishing. ISBN 9780851126739
Block began 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 traveled to Berkeley, California, where she played in nightclub and .
After retiring temporarily to raise a family, Block returned to the music industry 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, such as "Terraplane Blues" and "Come on in My Kitchen". Her 1986 album, I've Got a Rock in My Sock, included contributions from Taj Mahal and David Bromberg. The same year, Block's 19 year old son, Thiele, died in an automobile accident. Her tribute to him, House of Hearts, contained mostly Block penned tracks.
Angel of Mercy, Turning Point, and Tornado included mostly original compositions. However, Mama's Blues, Ain't I a Woman and When a Woman Gets the Blues featured songs written by Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, Lottie Kimbrough, and Mattie Delaney.Tony Russell (1997). 185868255X, Carlton Books Limited. 185868255X
In 2010, Block released her autobiography in .pdf format and a limited print run titled When A Woman Gets The Blues.
| Credited as "Sunshine Kate", with Stefan Grossman, reissued in 1978 as Kicking Mule 109 |
| Recorded at Bearsville Sound Studios, Produced by John Sebastian |
| Compilation, drawn from the four Rounder Records albums 1981 - 1986 |
| Children's album |
| 1994 Adult Contemporary Album of the Year |
| Live, Bremen, Germany, 1988 |
| 1996 Acoustic Blues Album of the Year |
| 1997 Adult Contemporary Album of the Year |
| compilation from five Rounder albums 1992-96 |
| re-release of I'm In Love from 1976 |
| 1999 Acoustic Blues Album of the Year |
| With Eric Bibb and Maria Muldaur |
| 2007 Acoustic Blues Album of the Year |
| First release in the Mentor Series. |
| With Stefan Grossman, reissue of How to Play Blues Guitar plus 16 additional tracks |
| Second release in the Mentor Series. |
| Third release in the Mentor Series. |
| Fourth release in the Mentor Series. |
| Fifth release in the Mentor Series. |
| Sixth release in the Mentor Series. |
| Power Women Of The Blues series - Vol. 1 |
| Power Women Of The Blues series - Vol. 2 |
| Power Women Of The Blues series - Vol. 3 |
| SPCD 1493 |
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