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The year 2025 saw the release of a mini disc (marked Blues Fest 2003) uncovered,
in between shifting locations and houses, from one of many packing boxes.

This discovery was a sound stage recording from 2004 of the first ever performance

with a new band (The Fortune Tellers) plus Howling Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin
as a special guest.

“Live at Bluesfest 2004” was recorded at the world-famous Byron Bay Blues Fest

and features the band with Hubert, in fine form, running through acoustic and
electric versions of blues classics including ‘Spoonful’, ‘Who’s Been Talking’ and
‘Sitting On Top Of The World’ to name but three.

As well as capturing the musical and vocal interplay between Hubert and Fiona
throughout, “Live at Bluesfest 2004” also features the harmonica and vocal range
of the late Chris Wilson who was a major inspiration, mentor and talent on the

Australian music scene, an inspiration which continues to the current day, some six
years since his passing. Add to that the tight rhythm section of bassist, Dean Addison
(My Friend the Chocolate Cake) and percussionist extraordinaire, Mark Grunden,

both players with a long and varied history within the Australian music industry.

This 10 track live-set places the listener front and center for a piece of Australian
(and American) blues history, some 21 years after making a mark on the BluesFest

stage.

If this review makes you want to discover more, head to her website for a full
discography and background of Fiona Boyes.

Frank Davidson

Robbin Kapsalis – The Blues Is in the House – Blues
House Productions

(www.blueshouseproductions.com)

There is just so much to like about this album, Robbin’s

first under her own name. Some may recall her sultry,
soulful voice from the excellent work she did with her
band Vintage #18 which first brought her to a wider
audience – and here many of her songs are presented

with a knowing wink.

Her Chicago roots shine through loud and clear
throughout on an excellent selection of songs, with the French band accompanying

her getting the approach absolutely spot-on – they also have a thing for the sound
of Slim Harpo. Husband Giles Robson – I would use the phrase “UK blues harmonica

ace”, but he has gone way beyond the confines of Great Britain these days – is also
in top form and I would guess influenced some of the selections – Little Walter’s ‘Up
The Line’ is the second track, an early indication of how well they can work together
on a traditional Windy City blues.