Thom Owens (All Music Guide)

Best Blues & Originals collects the highlights from Rory Block's '80s albums for Rounder, saving a bunch of fine tracks from otherwise spotty releases. It's a nice overview and, consequently, a solid introduction to her catalog.

Spirituallyunaware (Amazon.com, customer review, April 17, 2002)

Rory covers Robert Johnson better than any male singer I've ever heard, and that's saying a great deal. Her arrangements are tight, her playing is fantastic, and her singing moves me to tears. The Water Is Wide and Golden Vanity are old folk chestnuts that wouldn't seem to fit on a blues album, but by some great feat of magic they are placed perfectly here, and the arrangements and performance of these two in particular are a miracle, because, for me, they bring the dead back to life. I love Pete Seeger and everything, but his version of The Water is Wide didn't leave me breathless. This one did.

T. Goodrich (Amazon.com, customer review, August 17, 2000)

I Love great blues and I love hearing someone who can belt them out with all the feeling and grit that makes them so dynamic...Rory Block delivers all that and more on this album. She has a voice that grabs your attention and a style that's deep and personal. I've heard a few of her albums and I liked them, but this one is one of the top ten in my CD collection. I listen to this CD over and over, start to finish and never tire of it. I searched and searched for this album, because it had some tracks that I knew were awesome. When I finally found a copy, took it home, and realized how great the entire CD was, I went back to the store to order more for friends. I was so enthused I offered to let the clerk(another blues fan)open the CD and play it on their storewide system. As soon as the first song started, she began to smile(that Zen-like smile that music lover's get when they encounter quality) just at the sound of Rory's voice. By the time that track was halfway through, several clerks had gathered from around the store to enquire, "WHO was THAT ? ". The group of us listened to and enjoyed a few more tracks before I made my purchase. As I was leaving they were busy putting in a request for several copies for the store. I haven't played it for anyone who didn't respond in the same way. If you like blues, if you like women who can sing, if you like music that can move you and make you experience that zen-like smile....try this out ! I'm betting this is one you'll want to share!

© Frank Steven Groen