JOE MOSS BAND

Drive Time – Live At Chan's

Hit Brothers Records

by Steve "Fly" Klein

Joe Moss - guitar and vocals

Dave Wood - bass

Dana Thompson - drums

Greg Sefner - keyboards

Joe Moss grew up in Chicago and has been a guitarist since he was 15. Kenneth "Buddy" Scott noticed Moss at a jam session at Rosa's Blues Lounge on Chicago's west side and recruited him for his band, Scotty and the Rib Tips. This gave Moss the opportunity to dig into the blues by playing behind Scott and maintaining a seven-days-a-week gig schedule. This relationship lasted until Scott's untimely passing and Moss can be heard on Scott's final recording, the 1993 Verve release, Bad Avenue.

A talented and versatile guitarist, Moss quickly became an in-demand sideman on the local blues scene and he played countless gigs with nearly every blues musician in the city. After extended stints with performers like Zora Young, Charles Wilson, Lil' Smokey Smothers, Lefty Dizz, Magic Slim, A.C. Reed and Billy Branch, Moss decided it was time to front his own band.

Surprisingly, the organ is an integral part of the sound of The Joe Moss Band. Greg Sefner's keyboard work is outstanding while Dave Wood and Dana Thompson hold the groove and find room for some swaggering solos as well. Moss sings with a lot of feeling and his music has a funky blues style that's impeccably executed.

Drive Time was recorded live at Chan's in Woonsocket, Rhode Island on March 5, 2010. I love to hear blues bands play live, because it strips away the studio magic and presents the real musicianship of the players. This is a true concert recording, with stage introductions, small talk and applause. With only one exception, these blues and R&B-inspired songs are Moss originals.

"Black Boots," the only new song on the CD, is a riff-heavy blues that gets the disc off to a flying start. Its funky groove and sizzling solos showcase the band's extraordinary musicianship. Sefner's organ playing makes you believe this is his band - right up until the last 2 minutes when Moss cuts loose with an inspired solo to finish the song.

The CD slows it down a bit for a deep groove. "I Am Feeling You" features a great extended guitar solo by Moss. The next two songs speed it up a bit. "My Life" lets Sefner stretch out and "Lost My World" spins out as a quicker, tighter romp with Moss’ guitar solo taking on some Allman Brothers' style flair. "Need Your Love" is a deceivingly low-key song that actually pulses with compressed energy. "Maricela's Smile," is Moss' slow, bluesy song dedicated to his daughter; it provides a nice change of pace.

"You Made Me So Happy" displays searing emotional riffs with a laid back beat. Again Sefner has time to take an extended solo only to be followed by Moss's cutting guitar work. The CD ends with Billy Myles' "Have You Ever Loved A Woman," a blues standard that's treated to a slow build up which culminates into a fiery climax from Mr. Moss.

The Joe Moss Band may be the most road worthy band I've heard in quite some time. The aptly-named Drive Time CD contains all of the elements that make listening to the blues so engaging and, conversely, so fun to play. About halfway through the first cut, I wanted to grab my bass and play along. The Joe Moss Band plays the kind of music that makes you want to jump on board and come along for the ride.

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