Hey Bill H .. a heckuva job, as Geogre Bush might've said. Here's Bill's excellent review of the Nick Moss/Lurrie Bell show at the T-Bird on Thursday night. Glad it came off well, especially after a near-miss.
Nick Moss & The Flip Tops featuring Lurrie Bell was a killer show, as expected. There was a decent sized crowd even though it was a thursday night and the PITT men's b-ball game was on TV. The vibe was interesting, there was definitely a sense of anticipation from the moment we walked through the door.
Nick & the guys opened up smokin' from the get go. Aaron Wilson is the latest addition to the Flip Tops revolving drum stool and he more than held his own playing with power while also being capable of restraint as needed.
Utility man Gerry Hundt worked his way around the horn, begining on bass, but making stops on harp, mando and adding a smattering of guitar as well. He's one of the main reasons that this is one of the best bands out there no matter the musical style. He adds a depth to the overall sound that helps them travel in just about any direction they desire.
Piano Willie Oshawny brings that real deal feel to the keys that keeps things rooted in the classic post war Chicago sound. His touch and taste allow him to step up and shine brightly when called on yet keep the rhythm rolling when while playing within the groove. Like his mates, Oshawny plays ego-free ensemble driven music that captivates with its depth and strength.
A backing band with the chops and power the Flip Tops exhibit might occasionally prove overwhelming to some frontmen. Nick Moss is definitely not one of them cats though. The big man brings it on a regular basis and had it going on extra that night. Perhaps it was the challenge that awaited him in the wings from his special guest or just that it's this man's time and he's capable of taking full advantage on a regular basis. His vocals are powerful and persuasive, he commands the mic like a man with something vital to say. If that's not enough, he's everybit as strong on the guitar. As I am fond of saying about Moss, he can sting with the best of them and swing at just the right moment.
The best of them would have to include Lurrie Bell. He grew up with the blues in his blood. Whether backing his harp master father Carey when he was growing up, as part of Billy Branch & The SOBs(Sons Of Blues) or as a leader on his own fine recordings, he brings an innate feel for the music that only someone born to it could. It was cool to hear him blowing unamplified harp sittin' on the balcony steps at the back of the floor while watching Nick and the guys tear it up. Once onstage, he captivated the crowd with his obvious love of the music, distinctive vocals and world class fret work. Many folks who's opinion I respect, including more than a few from the Chicago area point to Bell as the premier guitarist from that scene. I saw nothing the other night to disprove that.
Cleveland based harp man Wallace Coleman drove in with his wife just to watch the show and he seemed to dig the proceedings every bit as much as the rest of us regular joes.
Having shows like this come through town can only be good for the Blues in this region. This kinda music doesn't get much better than what was heard that night and I'm glad I could be apart of it from the audience. Great stuff.
Humbly submitted this day 3/27/09
bluenotes junior cub reporter
Bill from Elizabeth
Posted
Mar 28 2009, 07:01 PM
by
Jim White