MOSS THE BOSS: CHISELED AUSSIE ROCK LEGEND RETURNS, UNTAMED AND UNPLUGGED
Ian Moss: Hoxton Square Bar, London
4th October 2017


Words and Pictures: Andy Rawll
8th October 2017





Considered one of Australia's iconic musicians, Ian Moss carries a legacy of homeland solo success in addition to the international acclaim from his invaluable contribution to the still-revered Cold Chisel.

Following a fervently received pair of unplugged shows last year, Mossy is back this month with a series of UK shows that showcase his fine songbook and are delivered by a strong, soulful voice and electrifying acoustic guitar. Better still, for the Bilston and Stratford shows, Ian was joined by renowned Aussie blues rock guitarist Gwyn Ashton in an Antipodean acoustic double-bill that was not be missed.

Indeed, he's in good company, given the recent successful northern hemispherical forays by fellow countrymen, Midnight Oil and Jon Stevens, and the tantalising prospect of a long-awaited Jimmy Barnes UK solo tour in December.

MetalTalk's Andy Rawll was at the first show in the tour and it was right ripper and augured well for the forthcoming dates, for which only limited tickets remain.

Sunday 8th October: Stratford ArtHouse, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Monday 9th October: Stereo, Glasgow



Moss was given a rapturous welcome in this compact and packed East London venue at hipster ground zero. He delivered a passionate and dynamic set that mixed solo works and Chisel cuts aplenty.

Continuing the celebration of the tenth anniversary of his successful 'Six Strings' release, the format was stripped-back, up-close and personal, with man, voice, guitar and fingers performing acoustic alchemy of the higher order. 'Cry Me A River' was an unexpected set opener but its slow-burn quality provided an ideal showcase for Ian's agile and soulful voice. There were tales of the madness of war in 'Message From Baghdad', a longing for home with 'Such A Beautiful Thing' and witchy women on solo hit 'Tuckers Daughter', all rendered with rich, affecting vocals and driven by searing and percussive guitar work.



The classic Chisel song book was well-represented with a quadruple shot from arguably their finest release, 'East', with 'Never Before' particularly effective in acoustic format, as it segued into a fine coda of Traffic's 'Can't Find My Way Home'. The main set included starry-eyed new song in 'Broadway', which will feature on Ian's planned new album which is expected in early 2018. Although this meant that customary set-closer 'Flame Trees' remained unlit during this performance, the Hoxton Choir girls and boys had plenty of opportunity to vie for vocal supremacy with a raucous version of 'Cheap Wine'. Best of all was the poignant and still sadly topical 'When The War Is Over', when the capacity crowd's voices swelled in euphoric yet moving harmony in support of Alice Springs' favourite southern son.

Inevitably, the show culminated in a powerful version of what many consider to be Moss's signature song, 'Bow River', from the biting 'Circus Animals' release. This was as good a singer-songwriter set that you are likely to see, based on the unique combination of sublime songs, supreme vocal and stunning guitar; delivered with the warmth of an artist at ease with himself, his audience and his place in the world.