::T R A C K S::

1. ALL MINE (sample clip)
2. LET ME IN (sample clip)
3. WORLD FULL OF WOMEN (sample clip)
4. KNUCKLEHEAD (sample clip)
5. SWEET THANG
6. HOW LONG (sample clip)
7. GETCHA BACK
8. SHE GAVE ME BACK MY MOJO
9. JOSIE
10. STATE LINE
11. TOMMY TWO GUNS
12. DON'T GO
13. DIRTY LITTLE MYNX

Busting At The Seams Appropriately titled, Down Home Mojo, the seventh release from Tony Spinner, is busting at the seams with mojo. Two years have passed since the release of Rollin' and Tumblin', one of my favorite discs of 2009. Since then, like Oliver Twist in line for second helpings at supper, I have been anxiously awaiting for more. Down Home Mojo, composed entirely of original material all penned by Spinner, is high-energy, guitar-centered blues rock. Bassist Michel Mulder and drummer Alex Steier keep the band grounded as Spinner does what he does best, play guitar and sing. "She Gave Me Back My Mojo," a fast-paced original, and "State Line," which gives the listener a tasty slice of slide guitar, are two of my favorites, which fall more under the traditional blues category. One of my favorite lines sung on the whole CD is from "State Line." It goes like this: "There's a crackhead in the corner messing with my girl. He don't know how close he is to leaving this old world." That line is pure gold. In the 1960s, Stax Records in Memphis produced a lot of really smooth R&B music. In some ways, I preferred the Stax music over Detroit's Motown. Anyone who appreciated that era of music will most likely appreciate the instrumental, "Josie." This one has a really nice groove to it and a funky bass line. There's definitely a Steve Cropper vibe going on with this one, and it's quite enjoyable. "Let Me In," an anthem for the chronically inebriated and locked out, is quite the infectious tune. One can't help but just start singing along, "I don't want to go. I don't want to leave here. I don't want to go. Baby let me in!" This song certainly has the makings to be a roadhouse juke-box favorite. The crown jewel, "Knucklehead," is the best song on the album. I listened to this one over and over. It’s filled with lots of tasty jam and relentless groove. It contains this smooth, funky bridge which erupts from out of nowhere to release a mind-blowing guitar solo. Spinner's talent and expertise on the guitar is exhibited nicely on this one. Down Home Mojo is definitely worth a listen. I certainly enjoyed it, and am now anxiously awaiting for his next album. Phillip Smith (BluesWax / Blues Revue) (3.12)