THE NICK MOSS BAND

Time Ain’t Free

Blue Bella Records

14 tracks/77:03

by Mark Thompson

Nick Moss has been on a musical journey ever since he disbanded the Flip Tops, his longtime Chicago blues band. Some fans and listeners have not appreciated the forays into music that had a stronger foundation in rock rather than the traditional blues styles that Moss can play so expertly. But Moss has a restless spirit and his journey has finally taken him to a point where labels and genres no longer matter. With the help of his outstanding group of younger musicians, the guitarist has created a recording that wraps all of his influences up in a package of exceptional music.

Moss plays guitar on all tracks, taking all of the guitar solos as well as the lead vocals on half of the 14 tracks. Moss also plays bass on four cuts. The disc showcases his accomplished songwriting skills on eight titles that allow the band plenty of room for musical expression. The title track is powerful rocker complete with a fast-fingered solo from Moss over drummer Patrick Seal’s hard-driving rhythm.

“Was I Ever Heard” finds Moss questioning if his listeners really take the time to hear the messages he is trying to deliver. To drive that point home, he makes a stirring plea for listeners to move past hate and fear on “No Reason,” with Matthew Wilson’s sturdy bass line giving the cut a funky edge.

Bryan Rogers provides the swirling organ wash that intertwines with another searing solo from Moss on “Been Gone So Long”.  The pace shifts dramatically on “EZ Bree zee” as the leader delivers a heartfelt vocal on the ballad complemented by soaring backing vocals from Tina J. Crawley, Lara Jenkins, and Michael Ledbetter.  The opener, “She Wants It”, has a loping rhythmic foundation and blistering slide guitar licks courtesy of Moss. The band totally recasts the Son House classic, “Death Letter Blues,” into a full band workout with Rogers once again distinguishing himself while Moss, again on slide, keeps things grounded in the tradition.

On the band’s previous release, Here I Am, Michael Ledbetter was in the studio for backing vocal support. His talents so impressed Moss that Ledbetter was asked to join the group. Truly one of the brightest talents in the blues realm, he gets a chance to showcase his amazing vocal skills on six songs in addition to playing rhythm guitar throughout the project.  “Light It Up” is one of three tracks he co-authored with Moss, Ledbetter handling the lyrics while his boss composed the musical accompaniment.

He injects plenty of feeling into the simple lyrics, showing us the scope of his vocal skills with a vibrant, soulful reading of “Fare Thee Well”.

Ledbetter doesn’t pull any punches on “Tell You Somethin’ ’Bout Yourself,” promising a cheating lover that retribution is right around the corner. He takes on the Rod Stewart role on a hard rocking cover of the Faces tune, “Bad ‘N’ Ruin”. Ledbetter’s finest moment takes place on his original “I Want the World to Know” as he expertly mixes soul and gospel elements in a stirring performance that leaves no question that he is a singer to be reckoned with.

The lone instrumental, “(Big Mike’s) Sweet Potato Pie,” is a funky workout with Rogers getting another opportunity to shine before Moss unleashes another fierce, free-ranging solo from his arsenal of guitar licks. It is a fitting climax for a recording that makes it clear that the Nick Moss Band has evolved into potent musical force that ignores musical boundaries in favor of music that speaks to our hearts, minds and souls. It makes for a challenging – and very rewarding – listen. Don’t miss this one!

###