11/1/2006

Jay Collins

If one is to consider perhaps even one positive byproduct of our continued globalization, it is that musical barriers have been minimized and that “legitimate” musical performances are not solely determined by situs. As for Blues, one may easily look beyond the U.S. for talent, a fact that is proven when one considers Australian guitarist FIONA BOYES. It is not enough that Boyes is an Aussie, but gasp, also an axe-wielding female. Naysayers may turn up their noses, but that would be to their detriment, as Boyes convinces on her debut American recording, LUCKY 13 (Yellow Dog 1353). This isn’t Boyes’ first recording as a leader, having released several records in Australia, though this record demonstrates that she is in league with any current American artist. The performances demonstrate that she’s a damn good guitarist, but also, her gritty, gravelly vocal style is a compelling extra treat. With her core band, The Fortune Tellers, and some help from Austin, Texas’ talent pool (Boyes, g, vcl; Marcia Ball, p, vcl; Bob Margolin, g, vcl; Floyd Domino, p; Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff, harp, ts; Danny Levin, vln, mandolin; Chris Maresh, b; Derek O’Brien, g; Riley Osbourne, org; Mark Rubin, tba; Barry “Frosty” Smith, perc, d; Stan Smith, cl; Randy Zimmerman, tbn; Larry Fulcher, b; Al Gomez, tpt; Joel Guzman, acc; John H.R. Mills, bari s. February 2006, Austin, TX), Boyes tackles electric blues rock (“Chicken Wants Corn”), New Orleans-tinged tonk (“Celebrate The Curves”), good time exploits (“You Gonna Miss Me”), some two-step (“High Cotton”), some pop Jazz (“Big Bigger Biggest”) and acoustic realms (Good Lord Made You So” and the humorous “Pigmeat Lover”). Worth noting is that her lyrics often add a bit of fun, such as on “Chicken Wants Corn” (“I want you baby like a chicken wants corn!”) and “Celebrate The Curves” (“I’m built like a woman’s meant to be built with a bellybutton and boobs” (!)). Boyes isn’t all muscle and verve, though, as she ably proves that her Blues can also be smooth and tender (“Stranger In Your Eyes”). In an age where the Blues community is waiting for another Stevie Ray or even some other savior, Boyes is one to watch. Not only does Boyes have the musical goods, but also, the record is a hell of a lot of fun.