Bex Marshall
Fortuna
Dixiefrog Records
London based blues guitarist Bex Marshall has been honing her craft in clubs, on cruise ships, and at festivals from Brighton to Australia and back. She’s been a blues disciple since the age of 18, counting Bonnie Raitt and Tina Turner as major influences. Fortuna is Bex’s first new album in ten years and features nine original tunes and one classic cover.
The album opens with “Dirty Water,” a slow-burning blues lament. Marshall’s stinging guitar accents her pledge, “I ain’t drinkin’ no more.” Bex’s searing slide work is the backbone of the record. She has a strong, raspy voice, and the band cooks along with a funky beat. Her lyrics tend to rely on well-worn phrases, weakening the overall impact.
My favorite tunes are the instrumental “Fortuna” and the California rocker, “When It’s Gone.” “Fortuna” is a rollicking boogie that shows off the band’s tight playing and Bex’s stinging guitar work. “When It’s Gone” makes me think of Fleetwood Mac with their blues roots on full display. The song has the rough edges polished down, making it ready for radio play on an imaginary ’70s pop station.
