Of all Lou Reed’s remarkable ensembles, the one collective that garners the least attention, yet deserves accolades aplenty, was anchored by Ellard- James Boles. Commencing with Take No Prisoners in 1978, a swinging live set wherein Lou’s stream of conscious humor displaces his habitual street hassled libretto, “Moose” grooves heartily akin to a big band bassist.

Courtesy of Ellard James Boles Facebook

From Take No Prisoners, here’s Moose working a soulful pocket with Lou on radical remakes of “I’m Waiting for the Man” https://youtu.be/pZLKlQsWfgY  and “Satellite of Love” https://youtu.be/aAoZTP4dIA0

Lou also benefits from the mighty Moose’s soulful disposition on The Bells (1979) and Growing Up in Public (1980).  As I was witness on numerous occasions, this band delivered on record and on stage despite the fact that Lou was at a commercial ebb – which eventually righted itself when artists of Reed’s stature were afforded legacy status in the mid-1980s as CD reissues came into vogue. If you missed them the first time around, discover Lou’s slabs with Moose Boles.

“The Power of Positive Drinking” https://youtu.be/P0F45-Fyl2E

“Think It Over” https://youtu.be/gDx3EpDIRww

A multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, producer, sideman, recording artist – nowadays Moose fronts his Bulletproof Blues Band, among other projects.

Dig Moose and The Bulletproof Blues Band: https://youtu.be/_kNcBPpFNrQ

Boles’ history will bowl you over as well – among his collaborators include Gregg Allman, Stevie Ray Vaughn, David Bowie, Buddy Miles, James Cotton, Lonnie Brooks, Junior Wells, C. J. Chenier, John Belushi, Steve Marriott, and Steve Miller.

Dig Moose’s rendition of “Hoochie Coochie Man” https://youtu.be/u1VTOJbHCX8