Australian Blues Cds, Dvds, Gigs & Books Reviews

Fiona Boyes
“Blues Woman”
- CD -
website: www.fionaboyes.com

Australia's very on queen of the blues returns with her most diverse set yet.

In the past Fiona has explored band and solo settings, electric and acoustic styles of playing but on Blues Woman she covers all these bases while still maintaining the distinct tough but humorous style we've come to know.

Be sure to check out the album's second track Howling At Your Door where she takes a few ideas learned at the feet of Delta bluesman Robert Belfour and cranks out a deep Hill Country groove that sounds like she's been playing it all her life. Towards the end of the album dig the deep grooves of Juke Joint on Moses Lane, a powerful meditation on the places where the old blues can still be found alive and well. The album's highlight however has to be her version of Chris Wilson's Look Out Love where she takes the rockabilly number and turns it into a swinging shuffle accompanied by the unmistakable sound of Watermelon Slim on Dobro.

This album is a top-shelf set of blues that really demonstrates the depth of Fiona's talent. For the diversity in style and quality of playing I'd even go far enough to call Blues Woman Fiona's best album yet.

Jimi Hocking
“Electric Mojo Machine”
- CD -
website: www.jimihocking.com

They say you can sing the blues about everything in life. Hunting through my CD collection I can find blues songs about homebrew whiskey, spaceflight, TV shows and more but I have to say that this is the first time I've ever heard a blues about skateboarding.

After his flirtation with the “blue mandolin” Jimi Hocking returns to the electric realm with this tough, rocking set. There's something on this disc to please fans of pretty much all aspects of the rocking side of Jimi's career with some tunes recalling his Spectre 7 days, some massive sounding tracks that wouldn't be out of place in a Jets LP and, of course, some deep, deep blues. Overall there's something about this album that feels very personal,as though Jimi is looking at where his career has taken him and exploring his past through his guitar. There's an emotional depth here that really sets this disc apart from most guitar based records.

As for the skateboarding, check out the tune Old School Skater where Jimi sings about his old skating days. A great song and, in my mind, the key song in the album. Whether it's guitar or skateboarding, Jimi's singing about the skills his acquired and the lessons they've taught him.

Take from this album what you want. If you want a rockin' guitar set than here it is but if you want to dig a little further there's real hidden depths to this record. One to listen to again and again.

Buddy Knox
“Got Da Blues”
- CD -
website: www.buddyknox.com.au

From out of Tamworth, Aboriginal blues guitarist and singer Buddy Knox rips it up with this stellar CD. Buddy is billed as Australia’s answer to BB King and the description suits his deft, expressive guitar soul but his singing voice is sweeter, moving towards soul territory with traces of Bobby “Blue” Bland.

The match between instrument and voice is ideal and the solid, unobtrusive backing gives Buddy a real chance to shine. Check out the stellar cover of I’m Tore Down and the surprising, but very successful, version of You Are My Sunshine. Buddy is clearly a seasoned performer who knows how to squeeze every ounce of emotion out of his voice and guitar. A quality disc that gives a good representation of who Bobby is as an artist. Be sure to check him out when he comes to Victoria for some shows later this month!