CD Reviews
"Blues For Hard Times"
Fiona Boyes
Blues Empress Records / VizzTone
You know, sometimes it just seems that certain people are blessed with talent. Fiona Boyes for example. How does she continue to come up with such fabulous material every time she puts out a new recording? And I don’t just mean a great song here and there, but the entire project. Must be that good living and happiness bring out the best in somebody. And Fiona has that in abundance.
Out of the sixteen tracks found on the new release, Blues For Hard Times, Fiona has written all but five of the numbers. And they are all the type of music that is going to set you into her fun-paced groove on every listen. Opening the disc is “Nickels & Dimes,” with Fiona running terrific string picking on her resonator guitar with a nice little rhythm skiffle behind her supplied brilliantly by Jimi Bott and Dave Kahl. The next track, “Chain Gang” is a romping piece with haunting electric glides from her guitar. Kaz Kazanoff offers some spectacularly enjoyable harmonica playing on a couple selections and Bob Margolin delivers vicious slide on “Baptized In Muddy’s Sweat.” Even when Fiona takes on a solo presentation as she does on her tribute to Memphis Minnie “She Could Play That Thing” and the autobiographic “The Preacher,” it still stands heads tall over a lot of other musicians recording today. Other nice original pieces featuring Fiona alone include “I Let The Blues In” and “Maybe I Could Be Your Girl.”
Her choice of cover material is wonderful, too. Outstanding readings on Rev. Gary Davis’ “Mean World” and J.B. Lenoir’s “Grandma’s Advice” excel. And the take on Dan Grove’s answer to Sippie Wallace’s “Woman Be Wise,” the tongue-in-cheek “Guys Be Wise,” holds the former’s New Orleans’ paced trance with exceptional tuba work from Mark Rubin.
Plenty of terrific sidemen are on hand throughout the disc, including bassist John Mazzocco, Nick Connolly’s rolling piano, Frosty Smith on drums and John Mills on clarinet.
What can truly be said? Fiona Boyes is a master musician and songwriter and there are not a lot who can keep up with her adeptness at creating such entertaining music as often as she does. I guess what I am saying here is that “Blues For Hard Times” is another keeper. Every track a winner! It should receive a lot of applause, and well deserved applause at that. Bravo once again Fiona!
Total Time: 62:38
Nickels & Dimes / Chain Gang / Guys Be Wise / Mean World / High Time / Baptized In Muddy’s Sweat / I Let The Blues In / Maybe I Could Be Your Girl/ Drink To Your Health / God & The Devil / She Could Play That Thing / Pony Ride / No Friends / Grandma’s Advice / The Preacher / Jesus Took Possession
