* The Nick Moss Band with Dennis Gruenling (Bull Run Restaurant)

8-3-2019

Chicago guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Nick Moss is a bona fide bluesman down to his soul. He is a 30-year veteran of the city’s take-no-prisoners blues scene. He paid his dues gigging in Chicago's rough and tumble West and South side blues clubs under the tutelage of some of the city's greatest blues luminaries. Blues Revue says, “Nick Moss is at the top of the blues world…. ambitious and intense... He can play traditional blues with the best.” New Jersey's Dennis Gruenling is considered among today’s best blues harmonica players. His high-energy, full-throttle playing has earned him comparisons to the late James Cotton. Living Blues says, “Dennis Gruenling is a contemporary harmonica master… impressive, genuine and fresh-sounding.” Now, recording together for the first time, The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling's Alligator Records debut "The High Cost Of Low Living," is a dream come true for both musicians.

The High Cost Of Low Living is a tour de force of the classic Chicago blues ensemble sound Moss and Gruenling know, live and love. But it's no recycling of old songs. Moss wrote nine memorable new originals and Gruenling wrote two, all deeply rooted in the blues tradition with a touch of old school rock ‘n’ roll. Produced by guitarist Kid Andersen and Moss and recorded at Rancho de Rhythm in Elgin, Illinois, the album is a joyous sonic blast of pure blues power.

Although Moss and Gruenling had known each other for 20 years and had jammed together often, it wasn't until 2016 that they decided to team up full time. Moss' deeply rooted yet fully modern guitar playing flawlessly meshes with Gruenling's monster harmonica chops. On stage, the two communicate seemingly telepathically, as Moss lays down the deepest blues licks and Gruenling's harmonica wails and howls in perfect response, with Moss' top-notch band adding their energy and expertise to the ensemble.

According to Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, Nick and Dennis are a natural fit for the label. "Nick’s a thrilling guitar player, a gritty, honest singer, and his band is tough as nails. Dennis is a blues harmonica master and a terrific showman. This is a partnership of two world-class talents in one band. These are artists that any fan of the blues has got to love."

The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling bring their muscular, high-energy show to clubs, concert halls, roadhouses and festival stages night after night. And it's a show that is not to be missed. According to Moss, “I’m a shy person, but when the band and I get on stage, the music takes over. We can’t hold back and the energy just comes pouring out. We get carried away and the audience gets carried away with us.”

      VIDEO 1 (The High Cost of Low Living)
      VIDEO 2 (Live with Mike Ledbetter)