Artist: Fiona Boyes
Album: Voodoo in the Shadows
Label: Reference Recordings
Release Date: 10.19.2018
I’ve been listening to Ozzie picker Fiona Boyes for a few years now, each successive release adding just something else to her growing stature. With this latest release, Voodoo in the Shadows,’ she has simply jumped up more than a few notches. This is easily her finest offering to date, and that’s saying something about this mighty fine blueslady.
All eleven tracks here roar with pure class and distinction. This album must surely push her further to the fore and propel her to even greater respect and recognition. Boyes has a growl and grip of the music that belies her Ozzie origins in so many ways. It’s easy to look at Australian blues and single out now near-veteran Lloyd Spiegel as, historically, its finest practitioner, but that would be a serious error, for Boyes is now in full-stream, turning out consistently captivating, arresting music that demands global attention.
Since turning to California Bay Area label, Reference Recordings, Boyes has truly gone from strength to strength and blues-lovers have benefitted from the production values and exposure provided. Voodoo in the Shadows highlights this near-perfect, dynamic, empathetic meeting and combination.
Boyes’ picking is always inspired and structured but with a delightful, free-flowing feel and touch that drives her music on. Her voice is soulful, gritty and powerful as needed with cuts that move effortlessly from northern soul to swampy Louisiana stylings. Her last offering, Professin’ the Blues, in 2016, picked up a number of international awards. With ‘Voodoo in the Shadows’ she must surely be guaranteed a repeat award performance. A simply excellent album, a blues must-have essential this year, this is kickass, badass music, exactly what blues has always been, and could and should remain.
—Iain Patience
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