The development that Nick Moss has taken through his first three records is amazing. For Got A New Plan he was already nominated for a W.C. Handy Award as “Best New Artist” and now he takes the next step further with Count Your Blessings. Moss´ blues is honest, powerful, “classic” in the best sense. He´s undeniably influenced by Chicago-Blues but he goes beyond that. Moss has shared the road for years with legends like Jimmy Dawkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith or Jimmy Rogers. And for his new record he has recruited a marvellous list of musicians too, like Curtis Salgado, Barrelhouse Chuck, Bob Stroger, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Anson Funderburgh, Lynwood Slim or Sam Myers. Not very common for a “newcomer”! But moss justifies this “luxury”. The CD was recorded in a “jam-atmosphere” and produced with a good studio-live-feeling. The 18 (!) songs show a variety from a more traditional Windy-City-sound to moments of rock and ´60s influenced instrumentals. Along comes Barrelhouse Chuck with some fine barrelhouse piano (“Barrelhouse Woman”). With this mixture Nick Moss is one of the number one contenders for the title “guardian of the blues”.

—Dietmar Hoscher