 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
10/8/2009
Richard Ludmerer
Fiona Boyes is more accomplished than most. She can play acoustic country Blues like the Rev. Gary Davis and then pick up an electric and jam with the boys. Boyes' previous Yellow Dog Records release, 2006's Lucky 13, was a gem. Last year's Live From Bluesville CD with "Mookie" Brill, and Rich Del Grosso proved her to be a gamer. Boyes has received a Blues Award Nomination each year since 2007.
Her band members vary from track to track as producer Kaz Kazanoff customizes each song based on its mood. Musicians include Nick Connolly on B-3 and piano, guitarist Derek O'Brien, Jimi Bott on drums, bass player Ronnie James, and The Texas Horns consisting of Kazanoff and Al Gomez. Boyes has written all but two of the fifteen songs, so there is a lot for the listener to absorb.
J.B. Lenoir's "I Want To Go" is such a good version that I thought the song was written by Boyes. With James on bass, Bott goes nuts playing the bongos and a trash can. When Boyes performs this solo it's a crowd pleaser. "Look Out Love" written by fellow Aussie Chris Wilson features Watermelon Slim on dobro, and it shakes.
Boyes is sensitive and writes based on her experiences. This causes the listener to identify with her. "Woman Ain't A Mule" features Connolly on the B-3 and on "Howlin' at Your Door" O'Brien is featured on guitar. "Train to Hopesville" is a delightful romp with the full band including The Texas Horns, along with Marcia Ball on piano, adding just the right amount of coloration to her voice. They are also featured on a fantastic vignette "The Barrelhouse Funeral" where Watermelon Slim plays a preacher. On these and on "Got My Eye on You," especially on "Place of Milk and Honey" and again on "Waitin' for Some Good News" you can hear Boyes' voice full of expressive grunts and rasps, and it is appealing. Could it possibly be mic.ed better? On the latter, Kaz's harmonica adds the perfect touch. "Old Time Was" features Pinetop Perkins on piano.
"Fishin' Hole," "City Born Country Gal," and "Juke Joint on Moses Lane" are also well sung and well written songs. At this stage of her career, Boyes' might be one of the most complete musicians I have recently heard. The future belongs to Boyes.