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Label: Rounder
Sound/Style: Faith-themed bluegrass and country/folk/rock blends
By Steve Morley
Gospel music is a cousin to country and bluegrass styles, a kinship harking back to the multi-cultural sounds that freely mingled throughout America’s Appalachian Mountains well over a century ago. Today, those mountain strains continue to show up in crossbred styles like the bluegrass, Americana and modern folk of Alison Krauss. Krauss’ virtuoso bandmate Ron Block is the diminutive singer’s link to the sub-genre of bluegrass gospel, having authored Krauss’ most inspirational numbers like the soul-stilling "A Living Prayer."
Block’s latest album, Doorway, opens into a roomful of rootsy and harmony-rich songs featuring strong Christian themes and top-shelf musicianship from Block and guests, including Union Station. Among the bluegrass barnburners and gentle country-folk offerings are less typical Block originals that further expand the hybrid style of bluegrass gospel. He mixes Appalachian twang with swampy blues-rock on "Love’s Living Through Me," depicting the dark cross-currents that can inhibit the flow of the Holy Spirit: "The more I try, the more I fall/ I finally see the writing on the wall/ The problem lives in what I see/ A separate Him outside a separate me."
"Flame," about the overcoming power that allows escape from the devil’s wily deceptions, is reminiscent of The Eagles’ latter-day work, flaunting a shadowy tone and snaky electric guitar. But here, a soaring bridge trumpets victory in electrifying three-part-harmony.
Block stakes out still more unexpected territory on the exhilarating, countrified gospel-rocker "Above the Line." As he does many times on the record, Block clearly presents biblical truth as an either/or proposition: "Below the line is fear, distress/ Dreams and hopes fall to holy mess/ Grabbing hold now with the grip of faith/ Above the line no fear dismays."
Traditionalists who appreciate the work Block does with Union Station likely won’t be prepared for the searing, rock-flavored licks he unleashes on the CD's edgier numbers, which also showcase the power lurking in his typically thin and uncharismatic vocals. *
Still, the artist provides a generous variety of lighter fare, including two evocative instrumentals based on author George McDonald’s Phantastes.
On his moody title track, he avoids the obvious symbolism of a door as the passage to salvation. Instead, he tells a tale of a harrowing desert journey that eventually leads a weary believer back to the ever-present God.
Throughout the disc, Block’s lyrics combine personal testimonies with unflinching truths about the demanding climb often required of the committed Christian life. While his bold statements might prompt some to shut him out, lovers of bluegrass and experimental country should find Block’s Doorway to be a welcoming one.
Audio Clips
"The Kind of Love"
"Along the Way"
"Love's Living Through Me When I Do"
"Things Aren't Always As They Seem"
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