Box & Dice
After several years focusing on overseas performance, Fiona Boyes returns home to record for the first time with her long-time Australian rhythm section Mark Grunden (drums/percussion) & Dean Addison (double bass). The result: ‘Box & Dice!’
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Described as Bonnie Raitt’s evil twin, and with 4 consecutive USA Blues Music Award nominations for both her acoustic and electric playing and nine previous albums under her own name, distinctive and authoritative blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Fiona Boyes’ music always draws on a myriad of traditional regional styles from pre-war acoustic ragtime to the classic blues sounds of New Orleans, Chicago and Memphis. On ‘Box & Dice’ she narrows the focus to Mississippi with a stripped back album that is proudly down-home.Â
Digging deep into her guitar collection, ‘Box & Dice’ features some of Fiona’s more unusual instruments including 6 & 4 string cigar box guitars (played either bottle neck style or using miniature whiskey bottles as make-shift slides), and a rare National Reso-lectric electric baritone guitar.Â
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A few classic blues, from Howlin’ Wolf, Magic Sam & Bessie Smith, plus 8 original songs, ranging from a tribute to famous Florida juke joint Bradfordville Blues Club (“Juke Joint on Moses Lane”), personal tips from friend and mentor, Howling Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin (“Walking Round Money”), a heartfelt love song to New Orleans (“Lousiana”).
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Take some usual guitars, augment with double bass, add cool drum grooves and percussion, including frattoir, jangling chains & horse-shoes, and you’ve got the whole ‘Box & Dice!’
