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'Crossroads'


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Special Events



MS Blues Trail Marker commemorates Robert Johnson's Blues Contribution.
Robert Johnson Blues Marker

Recently a Blues Trail marker was dedicated to preserving the legacy of Robert Johnson. The Johnson Family and the foundation were honored at the dedication of this marker at Robert Johnson's gravesite.
MDA Tourism Heritage Trails Program, the Mississippi Blues Commission and the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureaul unveil another Mississippi Blues Trail marker at the gravesite for blues legend, Robert Johnson on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at the Little Zion MB Church in Greenwood, MS.   More....
Left to right: Dr. Edgar Smith (MS Blues Commission), Hon. David Jordan (MS State Senator), Alex Thomas (Heritage Trails Director/MS Blues Commission), Steven Johnson (Vice-President of Robert Johnson Blues Foundation), Ms. Sheriel Perkins (Mayor of Greenwood, MS) and Mr. Jesse Robinson (MS Blues Commission)
Rory Block Rocks!!  New Blues Charts reflect Rory's success
with new cd The Lady and Mr Johnson.

Recently #1 at XM Bluesville Satellite Radio!
Top 10 Living Blues & Roots/Blues charts!



"This album cements Rory Block’s reputation as THE premieracoustic blues practitioner
in today’s music canon... one of the best albums of the year, bar none!”... George Bennet
MusicTap



"The Lady and Mr. Johnson is the culmination of years of playing and preaching the gospel according to Robert Johnson and the Mississippi Delta for Rory Block. In her liner notes she talks about his music being an obsession for her since the day she picked up that album in 1964 and how people have questioned her about why she would be so focused on music
from before she was born.

The only answer she had is it's a matter of spirit. When the spirit moves you like it moved
her you almost have no choice in the matter. Whatever the reasons for her deciding to persevere we owe her a debt of gratitude for the amazing gift she has given us with The
Lady and Mr. Johnson. The players out there who can bring this music to life with such authenticity and originality simultaneously are few and far between, but Rory Block does
just that.

In her hands the music of Robert Johnson are not dusty museum pieces to be seen and not touched, but music that's alive and vibrant with as much to say to people today as when it was first written. Rory Block has to be one of the finest acoustic slide Blues players alive
today and this album is a perfect showcase for that talent. "

“This is an extraordinary recording... Song after song she pulls us in and holds us in the
palm of her hand... her voice, whiskey poured over gravel never sounded so good before... we owe her a debt of gratitude for the amazing gift she has given uswith The Lady and Mr. Johnson ... Rory Block has to be one of the finest acoustic slide Blues players alive today
and this album is a perfect showcase for that talent.”
Richard Marcus
Blogcritics.org
                                                                                             back to top


The following is an excerpt from the liner notes:

“From 1964 until the winter of 2006, I thought Robert Johnson had no surviving relatives. There was a sense of terrible loss and loneliness surrounding his tragic, early death. How could so great a musical giant have left us after only one recording?* Imagine my joy when halfway through this project I learned that Johnson’s family had been found,alive and well in Mississippi. Heart pounding, I dialed the phone, voice shaking, and said ‘You don’t know me, but to me, you’re family... I feel like I’ve just found long lost kin!’ On the other end came a beautiful voice in a deep, mellow tone... and the hair stood up on my neck.
..”

Claud Johnson and Rory Block
Robert Johnson's son Claud Johnson & Rory Block

                                       Photo: Shonna Valeska               back to top
 
Straitway Ministries Choir... Steven Johnson and Rory Block

Rory with Elder Steven Johnson, grandson of Robert Johnson, and the Straightway Ministries Choir of Utica, Mississippi.

Shortly after speaking with the Johnson family via phone, Rob and I traveled to Mississippi to meet in person. Robert’s grandson Steven Johnson suggested doing a concert together in New York City with words of introduction by a Johnson family member. Having learned that Elder Steven Johnson was a member of The Straightway Ministries Church and a singer in the choir, I thought we should bring the two elements, blues and gospel, together in one concert. We all got excited and the “Down At The Crossroads/Blues Meets Gospel” tour was born. We will be on the road in August in conjunction with the release of The Lady & Mr. Johnson.                                                                                             back to top



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