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Photos by John DaDalt

Touring in support of their recently released debut on Alligator Records, The High Cost of Low Living, The Nick Moss Band played Black Eyed Sally’s in Hartford to a packed room on Saturday. The album jumps, swings and gets downright bluesy and so did the band this night. This is a return of sorts to Moss’s Chicago blues roots, and with the addition of New Jersey harmonica ace Dennis Gruenling to the lineup, one sensed this would be a hot show.

Material from the new album was highlighted throughout both sets. The title track, along with “No Sense,” “Count On Me” and “Get Your Hands Out Of My Pockets” were among the notable performances. Moss is back to taking the majority of the vocals, with Gruenling singing his songs. While they are both fine vocalists, they shine on their respective instruments. Moss’s pedigree as a Chicago bluesman can’t be questioned. His guitar playing hits the right notes, never overplaying a solo but hitting the listener in the soul. Gruenling is a harmonica master who gets you moving and grooving. Add in Taylor Streiff on piano and you have a three-pronged attack. Patrick Seals on drums and new member Michael Archer on bass get a nod for their part in the band.

In the second set, Moss told a compelling story of his first meeting with Chicago bluesman Barrelhouse Chuck, and how the legendary musician helped him when Moss was an aspiring young musician. After the story finished, the band launched into Moss’s tribute to Barrelhouse Chuck, “He Walked With Giants.” The tune featured excellent piano from Streiff and a fiery guitar solo from Moss—one of the highlights of the night.

The Nick Moss Band never fails to deliver. We are fortunate to see such excellent musicians in a small club.

—John DaDalt