Released June 14, 2005

Though a year old now, the latest release from Nick Moss & The Flip Tops is definitive electric blues in the Chicago form. I’ve been listening to it for a while, and feel that I must tell blue lovers everywhere about it, especially those unaware. Sadie Mae, the album and opening song title, is effectively named for Moss’ one-year-old daughter, after the songs by both John Lee Hooker and Hound Dog Taylor. It’s sixteen pure, raucous, and exciting tracks. The guitar playing of the twice W. C. Handy nominee is fantastic. His tone is reminiscent of Otis Rush, and he plays with the passion and enthusiasm of Howlin’ Wolf.

‘Sadie Mae’ gets it all started in a gritty, driving, roadhouse manner. The mood is set for the second one, ‘I Never Forget’, a Moss original no doubt from the school of Rush. Another in that rhythmic mode is ‘Grease Monkey’. This one highlights the fine lead playing of Moss and the creative piano and organ playing of Bob Welsh. ‘The Coldcut Stomp’ displays excellent piano mastery as well. The Welsh penned song is just one of a few not written by Moss. Walter Williams’ ‘If I Could Get My Hands On You’ is a rocked up treasure. Gerry Hundt’s harmonica is fantastic on this one. All the songs within are such pure and perfect blues numbers that you’d swear most were Chicago blues standards, not freshly penned Moss originals.

Gerry Hundt is excellent throughout on both harmonica and rhythm guitar. And one can’t neglect to mention the rhythm proficiency of bassist Dave Wood and drummer Victor Spann, for they drive the music along tightly. I can’t get enough of Spann’s cymbal rides. The Flip Tops are a fantastic blues band.

Sadie Mae is a wonderful experience, a true blues gem. It’s one of the best blues albums I’ve heard in a long time. Nick Moss wails on guitar and vocal throughout.

Sadie Mae Track Listing

1. Sadie Mae

2. I Never Forget

3. Check My Pulse

4. Just Like That

5. Ridin’ At The Rack

6. One-Eyed Jack

7. Grease Monkey

8. The Money I Make

9. Feel So Ashamed

10. The Coldcut Stomp

11. The Bishop

12. You Got To Lose

13. If I Could Get My Hands On You

14. Crazy Woman Blues

15. Everybody Got To Go

16. Gone Hoggin’

Nick Moss: guitar and vocal
Gerry Hundt: harmonica and rhythm guitar
Bob Welsh: piano and organ
Dave Wood: bass
Victor Spann: drums

Blue Bella Records, 2005

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Nick Moss