Tonight is the first night of Ian Moss‘ current UK tour and also the first that sees the former Cold Chisel guitarist bringing his full electric band with him. Following the earlier support of Ewan Macfarlane, they take the stage and get things underway with ‘Such A Beautiful Thing’. One of several tracks taken from his double platinum debut album Matchbook that will get aired tonight. Moss looks good and sounds good and you’d have a hard time convincing the uninitiated that it was 50 years ago that he formed Cold Chisel. Sticking with that album, the radio friendly ‘Out Of The Fire’ continues and would give Foreigner a good run for the money. With the full band here show their value and it sounds glorious. ‘One Long Day’ rocks hard and sees some captivating guitar work from Moss. I’ve felt that ‘My Baby’ had always had a John Fogerty feel about it and is one of the lighter Chisel songs but has no less potency to it.
The latest Ian Moss album Rivers Run Dry is due on 21st July and we get to hear new song ‘Nullarbor Plain’ which is introduced as a driving song. It’s a blues rock number that hits AOR territory with a blistering lead. Hold On (To What We Got) is introduced as a song from his ‘Ian Moss’ album. “It took me ages to come up with that title” he deadpans.
Tucker’s Daughter brings Clayton Doley’s keys to the fore and this is where they would usually end the main set. Refreshingly, however, they dispense with the ritual of going off stage and coming back for an encore, choosing instead to play right through. ‘Mr Rain’ allows bassist Zoe Hauptmann to stretch out meanwhile ‘Georgia On My Mind’ reels proceedings in a little and allows interplay between Moss and backing singer Juanita Tippins and holds the attentive crowd in thrall. This of course juxtaposes perfectly with the impending finale of ‘Bow River’ bringing the evening to a blistering end.
Setlist:
Such A Beautiful Thing
Out Of The Fire
If Another Day (Love Rewards Its Own)
One Long Day
My Baby
Nullarbor Plain
Hold On (To What We Got)
Never Before
Choirgirl
Telephone Booth
Tucker’s Daughter
Mr Rain
Georgia On My Mind
Bow River
