10/1/2006

Mark Smith

On this stunning stateside release, singer/guitarist Fiona Boyes reveals what Australian blues fans have known for years: despite being born about as far away from the Mississippi delta as possible, she has the unaltered genetics of such icons of the blues as Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith. With a full, sultry voice that recalls Maria Muldaur at her blues mama best, Boyes takes on a diverse set of mostly self-penned blues without missing a beat. There's everything here from lascivious acoustic tracks like "Good Lord Made You So" to jumping jazz inflected reflections on the unique assets of women, "Celebrate the Curves", to rocking blues, "Chicken Wants Corn," to traditional jug band toe-tappers, "Pigmeat Lover," and even some righteous rockabilly, "Rockabilly On the Radio." Boyes compliments her gutsy vocals with spot-on guitar work that would land her a gig even if she couldn't sing a note. Adding to the strength of this release is the stellar cast of guest artists including Marcia Ball, Bob Margolin, Kaz Kazanoff, Frosty Smith and Derek O'Brien. Wow!