Stew Moss

Item: The Plum
Author: Mark Thompson

The Plum

(2003)

Reviewed by Mark Thompson

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Label Grandma Gerber RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2003

acoustic blues folk gospel blues

Stew Moss is a name most of you will not recognize, even though this disc is his third release in the last eight years. Moss plays guitar and performs a mix of acoustic blues, gospel, and humorous original tunes.

The title song is a bluesy take on the Adam and Eve story. Moss has a gruff voice that does a fine job telling the story of "a real bad day in the Garden of Eden," the day the whole world got the blues. The track has Moss supported by harmonica, drums, and bass. The packaging does not list any other musicians, so Moss must be over-dubbing to fill out the backing support. One of eight tunes Moss wrote on this disc, it clearly illustrates that he is a clever songster who knows how to tell a story. Two other gospel songs, "Get Back Home" and "That Ol' Gospel Ship," show Moss must have spent some time in church while growing up in Texas. He displays a real knack for material with a spiritual leaning.

The last cut, "Osama Yo Mama," is an upbeat tune that pokes fun at Osama Bin Laden and his family. Some might consider this one politically incorrect. I thought it was quite funny with some very creative put-down lines. While it may lose its appeal with repeated listening, Moss scores points for not being afraid to take on a difficult subject.

Another fine Moss song "Cuttin' Up Onions" is about a man with love trouble who is "cuttin' up onions, these ain't teardrops in my eyes, just cuttin' up onions because a man ain't allowed to cry!" The track features a brief acoustic guitar solo and Moss is again accompanied by harmonica. There are very few solos on the entire disc. All of the instrumental backing serves to highlight the songs and Moss's voice. It is a refreshing change from the endless solo excursions that seem to be on every recording these days.

The two highlights for me of this disc are traditional songs that Moss chose to cover. "St. James Infirmary" is a tour-de-force--just Moss and his guitar, spinning the sad tale of love lost. The seven minute version includes several verses I don't remember hearing before. Moss sings with a voice that conveys sadness and resignation while requesting "a blues band on my hearse wagon, to raise hell as they roll me along." This track may become my favorite version of this classic song.

Equally fine is the smokin' version of "John Henry," the railroad song about the steel drivin' man. The guitar and harmonica work to create an intensity that builds as the tune progresses, giving the listener a taste of the excitement of the man vs. machine contest. Moss whoops and hollers with abandon. It must be great to hear Moss do this one live.

This is a fine release that hopefully will gain some well-deserved attention from blues listeners for Stew Moss, a musician with plenty to offer to anyone willing to take a listen. Don't be afraid to spend your hard-earned dollars on this one.