Long acknowledged as one of Australia’s finest blues guitarists, Fiona Boyes has a strong fan base across the globe. A peerless passion for the craft has driven her prolific recording and touring career. The others stars of this show are her instruments. For latest release, Box & Dice, Boyes reached way back to bring us something new.
Her Maton Mastersound electric guitar is on hand as always. But the acquisition of some new tools of trade inspired the making of this album. The new babies she’s keen to show off are an old school 6-string ‘Box & Dice’ cigar box guitar and a National Reso-lectric baritone guitar – the latter one of only two in existence. Yackandandah guitar maker Shayne Soall tempted her with another new love. His 4-string cigar box guitar features the image of an FB Holden, making it one of the most eye-catching pieces you’ll find. Boyes is joined by rhythm masters Dean Addison (double bass) and Mark Grunden (drums, junk and Cajun percussion). Colin Wynne tastefully drove the tech side at Thirty Mill Studios. Electric finger-picking rhythms, swampy slide, classics and originals are rolled out to showcase Boyes’ endless quest to tell – and sing – the story of the blues. There’s Bessie Smith’s ‘Black Mountain Blues’ and Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Smokestack Lightning’ among the righteous treasures. More than a cigar box full of fun.
Out now via Blue Empress Records
Reviewed by Chris Lambie
