Review: Nick Moss Band Ft. Dennis Gruenling ‘Get Your Back Into It!’
By Mike O’Cull
The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling makes sparks fly and bones shake on the group’s new album Get Your Back Into It!
The set drops July 14th, 2023 on Alligator Records and features 14 new original songs that mix Moss’ deliciously-vintage sound with contemporary lyrics meant for present-day blues lovers. Moss co-produced the record with NMB bassist Rodrigo Mantovani and captured it in Rancho de Rhythm, his personal recording studio, so all the necessary vibrations are right where they need to be. All across these tracks, Nick, Dennis, and the band put down the classic, ensemble-based Chicago blues sound, a conversational, improv-heavy style in which the instruments intertwine rather than play scripted parts.
Guitarist and vocalist Nick Moss has the kind of blues authenticity that has to be lived to be had. He came of age being directly mentored by some of the giants of Chicago blues. His stints with Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and his Legendary Blues Band, and Muddy Waters’ guitarist and genre icon Jimmy Rogers taught him everything he needed to know about playing and living the blues.
Moss went solo in 1997 and has since developed a large, international following. He has shared stages with major artists including Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gary Clark, Jr., and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), toured the USA, Canada, the UK, Norway, Belgium, France, Spain, Latvia, and Poland, and has become known as one of the most vital tenders of the Chicago blues flame.
New Jersey native Dennis Gruenling draws his inspiration from harmonica masters Little Walter and George “Harmonica” Smith and saxophonists Lester Young and Red Prysock. He’s a self-taught player, a natural performer, and a solo artist who has released seven albums. His fat harp tones, untamed vocals, and overwhelming energy are unmistakable. Gruenling has won five Blues Music Awards with Moss and his band and the two make a perfect pair.
Moss kicks off the record with the life-affirming jump blues number “The Bait In The Snare.” The song has the groove and energy of the best 1940s jump kings and delivers the message that it’s best to keep yourself out of trouble in this unfair world. His vocals are smooth and cool and his playing is tight and expressive on both lead and rhythm. Gruenling schools us all on the harp, turning in an impressive take full of strong ideas. Backed by Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, Taylor Streiff on keyboards, and Pierce Downer on drums, Moss and Gruenling practically burst into flames.
Nick’s title track “Get Your Back Into It” hits a hard blues pocket and drives it all the way across town. The entire band shows their mastery of the Chicago sound on this steady roller and just about matches the physical experience described in the lyrics. Taylor Streiff delivers the goods in his solo and helps propel the tune forward. Moss goes for broke on guitar and Gruenling responds in kind on his harp.
“Man On The Move” puts Gruenling in the lead vocal spot and his bare-knuckle vibe fits this crowd-pleaser like a second skin. His harp tone is dirty and fine, sending his hot licks into the stratosphere. His intensity is impossible to contain and he hits like a heavyweight champion.
The primordial rock and roll cut “Scratch ‘N’ Sniff” overflows with reverb-drenched exuberance and the instrumental will take you back to the days of Link Wray, The Ventures, and Duane Eddy. It’s a full-on killer with the scent of hot rods and decadent kicks all over it. Not many artists can play like this convincingly anymore but Moss totally owns the moment.
Highlights are many on Get Your Back Into It! and you won’t want to miss any of them. Be sure to spin “It Shocks Me Out,” “Choose Wisely,” and “Lonely Fool.” Nick Moss has another winner on his hands with this one, so don’t be surprised when it becomes his biggest success yet. This is most definitely the good stuff.
The Nick Moss Band website
“The Bait In The Snare”
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