Blues News #621

The last time Fiona Boyes was in Geelong, Sleepy Hollow was based down in the Limelight.
I wanted to do an interview with her, and we ended up sitting in her car, up in the street, because the background noise down there was so pervasive. This time will be better. the good thing about the club’s current operations site at the back of Trades Hall is that it’s just us, and people are there for the music.
Fiona has been recording and performing internationally for more than 25 years, building a career that has taken her to major festivals and stages in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.
A veteran recording artist with 13 releases, six international award winning albums, four successive Blues Music Award nominations in four different categories, 15 Australian Blues awards, as well as a string of accolades in the folk, jazz, and Americana scene. Fiona has carved out a well-deserved reputation as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and band leader.
Fiona will be appearing with Dan Dinnen.
Dan was the 2009 MBAS Blues Performer of the Year and competed in the International Blues Challenge on Beale Street, Memphis TN in 2010. Dan also gigs regularly as front-man (vocals and blues harp) for Greg Dodd & The Hoodoo Men.
As well as interpreting classics from the blues repertoire, Dan also pens original blues-infused tunes that draw on a wide range of influences – especially on the deep well of old time, pre-war country styles.
His track ‘Ain’t No Good’ from his 2010 release Back Home won the Song of the Year in the 2010 Vic/Tas Blues Music Awards. His 2013 release Last Thing on My Mind contains12 original compositions out of 14 tracks. Last Thing on My Mind reached #2 on the Australian Blues & Roots Air-play Charts and was selected by the MBAS as the Best Self-Produced Album for 2012/13.
The combination of these two on the one bill, ensures an evening of excellent music to listen and to dance to. I’ll certainly be looking forward to the session!
Some readers might know that I present ~meanderings~ on 94.7 the Pulse. Well, as from today, a more accurate description is that “I presented” ~meanderings~.
I have been doing the show (and a couple of antecedents) for close on 15 years, and have been involved in community radio, and such late night music programs for about 40 years, from soon after community radio was established. Initially I was in Tasmania on 7-CAEFM with a program called Parcel of Rogues for a number of years before coming to Geelong.
Those with an arithmetic bent can probably work out that as Detective Murtaugh says “I’m getting too old for this …” so last night was the last ~meanderings~. I’ll still be on 94.7 the Pulse, at other times, in other contexts, I’m just relinquishing the late nights to the next generation.
I’ll still be with Sleepy Hollow, so see you there with Fiona and Dan on the 27th.
Written by John (Dr John) Lamp
Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club