9/1/2006

Peanuts

An Australian Bonnie Raitt? An outback Memphis Minnie? By the time this review is over, Fiona Boyes could possibly have more tags on her then the clearance rack at a Goodwill store, thanks to Lucky 13, her first American label release after toiling Down Under for at least a decade.

And, much like the fabled Cleveland weather, if you don't like what you are getting, wait three minutes or so because it is going to change. Boyes leaps from style to style, starting with Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff's harp pushing "Chicken Wants Corn" out of the starting gate before Stan Smith's clarinet and Marcia Bell's piano takes "Celebrate The Curves" in a honky tonk direction. "Stranger In Your Eyes" is a mix of jazz and blues as "High Cotton" is an all out revival of sorts. "Pigmeat Lover" visits New Orleans as Boyes then channels the spirit of Jackie Wilson during "Hold Me". Basically you name the form of music, any form, and it is on Lucky 13.

"Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin is Boyes' secret weapon, thought, working his slide magic throughout and giving a heartfelt duet with her on "Red Hot Kisses." She even takes a crack at southern mountain jazz aka rockabilly via "Rockabilly On The Radio."

Lucky 13? Not at all. There is no chance of fate here, just the talent of Fiona Boyes turned loose on the American listening public.