Ain’t Nobody Worried
Stony Plain, 2022
9/10
Listen to Ain’t Nobody Worried
The esteemed blues artist Rory Block releases the third volume of her Power Women of the Blues Series, and it’s perhaps her most ambitious yet, where interpretations of classics by legendary females and a Block original are fleshed out in her inimitable fashion.
“I’ll Take You There” opens with warm vocal scatting, before Block’s soaring pipes sing with much soul amid the well timed drum programming in the Mavis Staples’ tune, and “Midnight Train To Georgia” follows with breezy melodies and gospel flavored backing vocals to illuminate the Gladys Knight and The Pips hit.
Tracy Chapman’s fantastic “Fast Car” lands in the middle, and the hypnotic guitar and expressive singing retains all the beauty of the original, while “Love Has No Pride” does justice to Bonnie Raitt with much emotion in the bare climate.
Close to the end, “Dancing In The Streets” certainly will get your body moving with its rich backing vocals and lively guitar playing as Block tips her hat to Martha and The Vandelias, and “Freight Train” exits with a poetic quality, as a folk influence enters the eloquent and cozy finish.
Block plays several different guitars on the album, and also contributes percussion and drum sounds. She crafted this listen during the lock downs, and they represent some of the most iconic songs from the ‘60s-’80s, and sound better than ever via Block’s distinct and memorable blues skills.
Travels well with: Crystal Shawanda- Midnight Blues; Rory Block- Prove It On Me