A Sold-Out House Concert of Unforgettable Blues
A Memorable Night at Reckless Steamy
by Tom Baldino
In the 25 years we have been putting on house concerts at the Red Bank Woman’s Club, there have only been a few acts that approach the status of The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling. This has performed for us at the Long Branch Festival and our Holiday Party, but not in an intimate setting like the living room of the sold-out Anthony Reckless estate. Master blues guitarist Nick Moss and world class harmonica virtuoso Dennis Gruenling have toured the world together and won many accolades individually, and as a band, since forming in 2016. Along with electric and upright bassist, Andrew Gohman, subbing for Rodrigo Mantovani, and drummer Pierce Downer, they captivated a standing room only crowd on what was a hot and steamy late September night. Our soundman, and JSJBF board member Gary Neuwirth, who was a student of Dennis, deserves much thanks for making the connection and putting this show together.
They opened the night with an instrumental workout Dennis called “The Rev,” and the song lived up to its title with all of the band members showing why they are considered some of the best in the business. On this night, they dipped deep into the blues well, with their high energy take on the Jimmy Rogers 1953 release “Act Like You Love Me.” They took the Depression era tune “Your Red Wagon,” and gave it their own flavor, with Nick’s rich vocals and Dennis emotive harp styling. If you haven’t seen Dennis live, you’re missing his athletic style, where he certainly “puts his back into it,” as their latest release suggests. A highlight of the set, was Dennis taking the mic for a terrific version of their song “Count On Me,” from the award-winning collection, “the High Cost of Low Living.” They ended the first set with a high energy take on their signature Chicago blues sound, performing the instrumental tune, “Remington Ride.”
For the second set Nick strapped on his Black Danelectro, and broke out the slide, for a searing version of the Elmore James tune, “Done Somebody Wrong.” Hound Dog Taylor’s “Give Me Back My Wig,” was given Dennis full throttle harp treatment, which was enthusiastically received by the packed house.“Send You Back to Georgia” was most notably covered by Hound Dog Taylor, and on this night the band showed they can make a song their own, with this great sounding version. With Dennis on vocals, “Wait And See,” from 2019’s “Lucky Guy,” showed there’s never to much of a good thing. Pierce plays with the experience of someone who has behind the kit for many years, and he just turned 25! With Andrew, they made a formidable rhythm section that served the songs without overpowering them. For the finale, they reached back for the Nick Moss original, “Try to Treat You Right,” and they certainly did that on this night, with a full evening of authentic Chicago style blues.
Go to https://www.nickmossband.com to find out more about the band.