Block, Rory / Shake 'em On Down
Album: Shake 'em On Down   Collection:Blues
Artist:Block, Rory   Added:Apr 2011
Label:Stony Plain Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2011-05-21 Pull Date: 2011-07-23 Charts: Blues
Week Ending: Jul 24 Jul 17 Jul 10 Jun 26 Jun 12 Jun 5 May 29
Airplays: 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. May 10, 2019: Traditions
Mississippi Man
4. Jul 15, 2011: The Songsmith Show
Mississippi Man
2. Jul 23, 2011: blues with a feelin' (music casserole edition)
Shake 'em On Down
5. Jul 09, 2011: blues with a feelin
Good Morning Little School Girl
3. Jul 22, 2011: Music Casserole
Worried Mind
6. Jun 25, 2011: blues with a feelin'
Worried Mind

Album Review
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Reviewed 2011-05-14
Rory Block - Shake 'Em On Down
Reviewed by Kevvy Kev
In this tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowell, Rory avoids the typical regurgitation of covers/adaptations of a treasured mentor’s classics, and instead presents an album that is a mélange of tributes, adaptations, and original compositions that bear the definite stamp of a titantic influence. The result becomes a gift and a celebration. In order:
1. Steady Freddy Rory starts off w/a bang, showing off her skills on the acoustic and slide guitar.
2. Mississippi Man Many will gravitate to this track; an autobiographical account of her meeting McDowell as a 15-year old. Powerful stuff.
3. Kokomo Blues Rory gives an old school classic a slicker, new-school treatment. The result is different; worth hearing for the new interpretation.
4. Good Morning Little School Girl A reimagining of the Sonny Boy Williamson classic, given the Rory treatment.
5. What's The Matter Now Lets some gravel out, and adds a second guitar track to fill out the sound. It’s all Rory; it’s All Good.
6. Shake 'Em On Down Fitting that on this track, she channels McDowell’s guitar work best. And she definitely knows how to make you Feel the vocals.
7. Worried Mind Rory shows off her voice on this one; in one of those displays that lets you know she’s Reaching for notes, so that when she hit ‘em, she Hits ‘em.
8. The Man I'm Lovin' Block adapts the classic "The Girl That I'm Lovin'" to fit the female geist, with the addition of a third chord and new lines.
9. Ancestral Home Showing off her talent in this original composition, McDowell-inspired song, Rory dips into the well of (possible) ancestral memories, music and feelings of her mentor.
10. Breadline The title refers to the Great Depression McDowell lived through, and draws parallels to today’s harsh economic climates. Another original that shows clear influence and love.
11. Woke Up This Morning Rory spares no feelings with this intense, Gospel-flavored offering.
12. Write Me A Few Of Your Lines Rory’s sustained, snarling vocals round out the album, accompanied by more expert guitar work.

Track Listing
1. Steady Freddy   7. Worried Mind
2. Mississippi Man   8. The Man That I'm Lovin'
3. Kokomo Blues   9. Ancestral Home
4. Good Morning Little School Girl   10. The Breadline
5. What's He Matter Now   11. Woke Up This Morning
6. Shake 'em On Down   12. Write Me A Few Of Your Lines