GULF SHORES, Ala. — One-time British croupier Bex “Lady Fingers” Marshall, who earned the distinction of being the first and only woman ever to be invited to perform at the Cork’s International Guitar Festival where she shared the stage with Thin Lizzy founder Eric Bell, Preston Reed, Matt Churchill, etc., returned to the U.S. in mid-April for her first major U.S. tour of 2009 in celebration of the release of her latest CD, “Kitchen Table.”

The tour, which began April 18 in New York City, continues until May 31, where it wraps up in San Luis Abispo, Calif.

Marshall will perform May 12 at the LuLu’s at Homeport Marina Songwriters in the Round concert in Gulf Shores.

“Kitchen Table,” which was recorded in North London, was released in 2008 on the House Of Mercy label, distributed by Koch.

The disc is gutsy collection of self-penned compositions that run the gamut from down-low blues to back-porchy country-rock and marks the arrival of one of the U.K.’s finest new talents in the trans-Atlantic roots-music field.

Marshall is a renowned and respected guitarist whose fierce chops have earned comparisons to the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rory Gallagher and Bonnie Raitt.

Known for her masterful synthesis of fleet bluegrass picking and bluesy slidework, Marshall performs largely on the acoustic steel-top resonator guitar.

She also distinguishes herself as an accomplished songwriter able to craft both sultry serenades and gut-bucket rockers with impressive authority and conviction.

“Kitchen Table” also shows off her unique, earthy voice — equal parts Janis Joplin grit and homespun Raitt tunefulness.

“The Nashville Scene’s” Edd Hurt wrote that Marshall is “a hard-touring, blues-loving Londoner with a voice that suggests a rock version of Esther Phillips’ sardonic rasp. Bex Marshall writes concise songs and embellishes them with intelligent, folkish guitar.”

He continues, “She’s a fine guitarist with a silken touch, as the sublime ‘Black Guitar’ demonstrates.”

Alan Whittaker from “Solfest” proclaims, “Bex has a terrific voice and she plays guitar like a goddess, a cocktail of Joplin and Hendrix.”

Marhsall is the product of two completely different family backgrounds: one, blue-blooded, landed gentry and the other Irish Romany.

Classical guitar playing was her first passion, then flamenco, but eventually country and the blues won her heart.

Growing up she often went along to her uncles’ live gigs and when one of them gave her a 1963 Gibson Hummingbird when she was 11, she was inspired to make music her life.

Hailing from Devon and now settled in London, Marshall worked as a croupier from age 18. She travelled around the world, dealing illegal poker games in Amsterdam, then hitchhiking throughout Europe, always with her trusty guitar strapped to her back.

More than once she had to raise the price of a meal and a night’s lodging with a quick spot of busking. But once she began performing professionally her career took off quickly.

The Fleadh Festival in ’04 saw her performing alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, The Counting Crows and John Prine. The following year Marshall performed four separate sets at the legendary Glastonbury Festival (including the Acoustic and Leftfield stages) and then undertook a 28-date summer tour with the U.K Bluegrass band Hayseed Dixie, ending with a show at the prestigious London Forum.

“Folk and Roots’” Allan Wilkinson raved about “Kitchen Table,” “Seldom do we hear such blues-inflected rawness in female guitar players and so it’s refreshing to hear it done with such authenticity and assurance. The sharp guitar licks and gritty vocals spell out a mission statement that says this girl means business and in no uncertain terms. After listening to ‘Kitchen Table’ a couple of times through, the most staggering fact to take in, is that this girl wasn’t born in any close proximity to the deep Southern delta of the Mississippi, but somewhere much closer to the Thames.”

For more information about Bex Marshall, visit www.myspace.com/bexmarshall.