11/1/2006

Dirk Wissbaum

This gal from down under is finally making her way to the Northern Hemisphere with her first American recording, "Lucky 13". She has recorded eight other albums in her homeland of Australia, and built up a mighty following down there also. Recorded in Austin, and produced by Texas Horns legend Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, the CD's title refers to the 13 tracks here. Many of them seemingly mimic the flapper era of jazz and blues of the Roaring 20's. Her electric guitar easily scratches out the licks in that distorted down home Mississippi style, and her acoustic fingerpicking seems to settle you down on the back porch for a spell.

Fiona was the winner of the 2003 Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge, and has since become a fixture on the blues scene here in the states. She is a 16-year veteran of the business playing with both the Mojos and the Fortune Tellers. Ten out of the 13 songs here are original, as Fiona puts her take on the blues as she knows it. With featured guests like Bob Margolin, Marcia Ball, and the Texas Horns, you know the CD is gonna have some good grooves.

"Celebrate the Curves" stands out with a prohibition era speakeasy sound, literally paying tribute to the great blues singers of the past. Marcia Ball tinkles the keys in proper fashion for that one. A raucous guitar comes out of "You Gonna Miss Me" with Marcia and Bob both joining in. The down home feel of "High Cotton" makes you wonder where this Aussy lass is really from, Melbourne or Mississippi? "Pigmeat Lover" delivers an old timey theme complete with violin and tuba, and Fiona tossing out a yodel here and there. Kaz plays the harp on this one also. "Big, Bigger, Biggest" pays a slight tribute to Louis Jordan, and "Hold Me" holds out for some good R&B with Marcia and Bob again letting it all hang out. The slower spark of "Red Hot Kisses," originally a Lillian McMurray number, has Bob Margolin and Fiona sharing vocals and playing off each other, guitar to guitar, in the minimal style the Delta Blues is known for. The last tune on the CD, "Homesick Blues" is a great end to this recording with Kaz again on harmonica, and a fitting urge to head home.

There are too many musicians on this project to mention besides Kaz, the Texas Horns, and her band members. It all adds up to one good sounding CD. You will just have to pick thos one up and hear for yourself.