About a week ago I saw that our good friend Sam Moss was performing a short run up into Vermont and though we just saw him perform with Joan Shelley a few weeks back, when this gent comes to town you go see him perform. Moss has a delicate way about him. He effortless grazes the frets as his fingertips unleash notes at a frenetic pace, though he never seems to come close to breaking a sweat while doing so. His voice is calm and graceful, but with a vulnerable essence that intrigues the listener.

La Puerta Negra is tucked high above Main Street in Montpelier. Heading up two flights of stairs into an almost speakeasy vibed room with dark woods and red velvet drapes lining the room it was a beautiful and intimate setting to catch Moss and his songwriting pal Katie Trautz performing some of the quieter stuff for a small listening crowd.

I have heard traditional songs played in many fashions. True to the original or completely off the wall, but Sam’s take on “Working on a Building” is an absolute beautiful rendition of a classic he learned by way of Bill Monroe. Per his description, he couldn’t quite nail it down the way the Father of Bluegrass music did, so he made it all his own…and we are damn glad he did. Peep this…