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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nick & the guys rock !, June 9, 2009
Nick Moss & The Flip Tops
With special guest Lurrie Bell
Live At Chan's - Combo Platter n° 2
Blue Bella Records - BBCD 1012
2009
(79'09")
If a bunch of guys deserve the title of torch bearers as far as Chicago blues is concerned, they're definitly Nick Moss & the Flip Tops. Not that they slavishly copy note for note their illustrious elders with a quest for the exact sound from those times, in a scholar-like and dusty behaviour. No. Although these fellows have played with some of the Windy City legends, they have done their homework, but their sound is their own. Nick and his companions proved it through a growing number of albums, their most remarkable probably being the first Live At Chan's and the double Play It Til Tomorrow. Until this new page in the band's history book was written on a July 2008 night in the same Chinese restaurant, Chan's, that decidedly seems to bring them success. It's a fact that the sum of talents gathered among the Flip Tops could make the most biased bandleader drool with envy. As if that wasn't enough, several members of the group are multi-talented too ! Indeed, not only is Nick himself a perfectly convincing singer, added to his delicious guitar playing, but he also plays the harmonicas, as well as bass, only not on this album for the latter. Basically, Gerry Hundt is the Flip Tops bassist. But do you think this role in the shadow is enough for him ? Nooo ! He sings, plays harp, mandolin, even piano on occasions, but, again, not on this CD for the latter.
But why would a band that has Willie Oshawny on keyboards want to deprive itself from this pleasure ? Willie who also plays bass and sings, but, as you may have guessed by now : not on this opus. But... come to think about it... who plays bass then, when Nick and Gerry fullfill other positions in the band ? Handsome Kate Moss, of course ! She does on 5 out of 10 tracks of the CD. Oh, yes, there's also Bob Carter, who only plays drums. But he does it so well, we won't hold it against him. And our gang throws in some Chicago blues so thick you could cut it with a knife, during 6 tracks that span from 3 mns plus to almost 9 mns and a half. Waddaya mean, 6 tracks ? Didn't you just say there were 10 ? Oh yes, of course, but starting with the seventh song, Lurrie Bell comes in, and what already was quite the party turns into a blast ! A stronger than ever singing, almost agressive, but in a good sense of the word, supported by some guitar playing in which every single note counts, that sink into your flesh as would arrows. Knowing that Ronnie Earl, who was present that night, sat in for a couple of tunes, one would regret that he's not on the CD - probably some contract issue - but listening to this album, you'll let Mister Bell, Mister Moss and the others take you on a ride that will make you completely forget about the virtuoso's absence. Now that should tell you something about the level of excellence here ! When you'll know Misses Moss is responsible for the CD design and that the liner notes are from the excellent Craig Ruskey, it shouldn't be too hard for you to make the right decision. René Malines
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~ Duke Robillard
~ Ronnie Earl
~ Lurrie Bell
~ Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
~ Tommy Castro
by Nick Moss & The Flip Tops 
