Fiona Boyes And The Fortune Tellers
Georges Lane 4 November 2023 St Kilda
Saturday night and some blues playing at my favourite music venue in St. Kilda, how could it go wrong?
Fiona Boyes was in town with a band and based on the last time I saw her down there during the St. Kilda Blues Festival, I thought it would be a packed-out party. Alas, there might have been 20 punters in attendance, but it was still a party in my mind.
Fiona has been working the slide guitar for some time now from way back in the day when she was part of that female blues band, The Mojos, in the 90’s. She released her first solo record in 2000 and she has not looked back since then. With 9 studio records and 2 live releases, she has built a career around her slide playing and her deep, growling blues vocals.
After having listened to Tim Neal play keys on Monday with the Paul Williamson Hammond Combo I was hoping to hear him again tonight. Neal was struck down by the 21st century plague and they had to resort to some other dude to sit in. This other dude was James Black who has been playing around Melbourne for a lifetime and you have probably seen him on Rockwiz.
James and Fiona traded solos and they both seemed to be vibing off each other. As you can see and hear from the videos posted within this review, they were both on fire. After a set break the band did some second-line action through the audience, but it did not involve getting people out of their chairs. Phill Jenkins was on bass and tuba and Mark Grunden was on drums tonight and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Although I do not hit the blues circuit as much as I have in the past, I have always enjoyed Fiona whether she was sliding along solo on her various cigar box guitars or with a small band. She is entertaining in any format and tonight was no exception.
Was thinking while I listened to her how she is one of the few people in Australia who can really get that Mississippi sound when she heads that way. She talked about playing down in juke joints there and she has done her miles and paid her dues.
Catch her while she is touring with the Fortune Tellers and if you are headed to Blues Festival in Byron this year make sure you drop into whatever tent she may be playing in. You will not be disappointed if you are in search of the blues.
While you are waiting to catch Fiona live, get a hold of her latest release, Ramblified, to get you in the mood. Check out her website if you want to put the money directly into her account and while you are there check out her other delights and merchandise.