Fiona Boyes is a one-woman blues tent revival. Her pulpit is the stage, which she commands with the energy of an entire flock of worshippers.  And her Bible is the guitar.  With her acoustic and electric virtuosity and mastery of styles, she uses it as a righteous instrument to uphold the music’s tradition, even as her strong, distinctive songwriting moves it forward.

The native Australian’s soulful, authoritative style — brilliantly displayed on her new album Blues Woman — has earned Boyes unprecedented recognition. For the past three years she’s received major Blues Music Awards nominations that also trumpet her diversity. She received a “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year” nod in 2007 for her Yellow Dog debut, the electric Lucky 13. The next year she garnered a ballot slot for “Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year.” In 2009 she received an “Acoustic Blues Album of the Year” nomination for the trio recording Live From Bluesville.

It’s worth noting that Boyes first arrived in America to claim yet another honor: winner of the 2003 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, where she swept away the competition in yet another incarnation — solo acoustic performer. Representing the Melbourne Blues Society, Boyes was the first woman and the first Australian to earn the title.

Impressive? Pinetop Perkins offers this striking assessment: “I ain’t never heard a woman finger pick a guitar like that since Memphis Minnie.” Indeed, Boyes’ elegant ‘n’ gritty vocal style and powerful playing have also earned comparisons to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and Rory Block.  And Hubert Sumlin — iconic guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf — declares, “She’s got it. I’ve played with them all, and she’s got it.”

Available from Fiona Boyes on Yellow Dog Records (click album cover for details / sound samples) : Blues Woman  Fiona Boyes picks back up her electric guitar for a new studio album full of tasty licks and brassy attitude.  Described by one reviewer as "Bonnie Raitt's evil twin", Boyes is joined by special guests Marcia Ball, Pinetop Perkins, and Watermelon Slim for a rollicking trip through the contemporary blues landscape. Lucky 13  Sassy and soulful electric and acoustic blues from the first Australian — and first woman — to win the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge. Special guests include Marcia Ball and "Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin.  Nominated for “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year”!