TONY SPINNER - Rollin' & Tumblin'"

“Rollin' & Tumblin'”, the superb sixth solo disc by this awesome, outstanding, world-class, blues/rock axeslinger from Arkansas, features 14 tracks (74 minutes) of awesome, top-shelf, soul-powered, "old-school" blues-based heavy guitar power trio grooves that will melt your blues away. Tony Spinner digs deep on "Rollin' & Tumblin'" and produces an amazing, timeless, authentic disc that definitely stands tall in the world of Classic blues/rock guitar magic.

Hailing from Jonesboro, Arkansas, this way-kool, down-home, blonde-haired Stratmaster Supreme is the REAL deal when it comes down to soulful, organic, earthy, retro-70s bluesy heavy guitar power trio grooves that cut hard and deep. Tony Spinner is an authentic, seasoned blues/rock guitar veteran who has played and toured with Toto, Pat Travers, Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big) & White River Monster, to name a few. Spinner knows what time of day it is on the Guitar and he absolutely "Shines" on the awesome "Rollin' & Tumblin" disc. An incredible, dynamic mix of blues meets rock from a True blues/rock axeslinger who's guitar playing skills are right up there with the best of them. "Rollin' & Tumblin'" also features the excellent rhythm section of Michel Mulder on Bass and Han Neijenhuis on Drums, both great players who lay down serious soul-powered grooves throughout this awesome disc. Tony Spinner & Co. do blues/rock loud & proud on "Rollin' & Tumblin".

The Tony Spinner: “Rollin' & Tumblin'” disc is an awesome blues/rock heavy guitar groove that is Highly recommended to fans of Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, SRV, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Walter Trout, Warren Haynes, Chris Duarte, Indigenous, Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall, Ian Moore, Jeff Healey, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Buddaheads, Craig Erickson, Scarlet Runner, Chris Aaron, Lance Lopez, Wes Jeans, Philip Sayce & the Black Crowes, among other killer blues/rock axeslingers. And fans of Tony Spinner’s previous discs will heavily dig the truly stand-out, righteous, groove-induced “Rollin' & Tumblin” disc of amazing, gifted blues/rock guitar talent. Spinner's excellent kool/solid second disc for indie-label Grooveyard Records is a true testament to REAL blues guitar power. Tune in and become a believer. It's time to Roll & Tumble your bad-ass blues away with Tony Spinner.

::T R A C K S::

1. SATURN BLUES
2. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
3. ROLLIN' AND TUMBLIN' IN MEAN TOWN
4. WALKIN' THE DAWG
5. LAY DOWN YOUR CRUTCH
6. SAVING GRACE
7. CC RIDER
8. CATHEAD BISCUIT
9. WALKIN' THE WALK
10. GOLDFISH BOWL BLUES
11. LUV THANG
12. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
13. LOVE JUNKIE
14. CATFISH / MAKE LOVE TO YOU

The Toto guitarist has accomplished much since his 1993 debut. Having spent years as a session player, it’s nice to see him stepping out from behind the curtain in such an artistic and formative way. Many will remember Spinner’s name from his several Mike Varney (Shrapnel, Blues Bureau International) contributions that included tributes to Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. Aside from touring with Pat Travers and Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Spinner also graced three Toto efforts including Livefields (1999), Live in Amsterdam (2003) and Falling In Between Live (2006). We covered his prolific solo effort Live In Europe a year ago and so were thrilled when Rollin’ & Tumblin’ showed up in the mail box. The same trio lineup of Spinner, bassist Michael Mulder and drummer Han Neijenhuis deliver a classy slice of blues-edged rock in the styling of Rory Gallagher and Robin Trower. The disc takes the spark of the live setting and fuses it with the warmth of the studio. By arranging nine originals with five influential covers they explore combustible, inspired guitar with catchy, textured rhythms.
Recorded in Germany at Eylandranch studios Rollin’ & Tumblin’ caters as much to Spinner’s resonating timber as to his flash fret fingering. Shuffling the blues in several directions make the disc that much more enjoyable. There’s the waddle of “Walkin’ The Walk” with it’s hypnotic bass bounce, the ‘70s swagger of “Luv Thang” over a sizzling lead and the funky groove of Rufus Thomas’ “Walkin’ the Dawg.” Best lyrics go to “Goldfish Bowl Blues” with its double-entendre mask and layered guitar tone. While the southern-fired Leadbelly classic “CC Rider” is a slide-driven, laidback study in footstompin’ delta boogie, the title cut “Rollin’ & Tumblin” (Muddy Waters) has more of a Skynyrd adaptation. The hard rock fire burns brightest on opening track “Saturn Blues” and SRV-inspired “Count Your Blessings” with plenty of fret fury, great vocals and comparisons that include Ritchie Kotzen. Echoes of Toto abound in the FM-friendly “Saving Grace” but it’s the Stones/Faces Keef-guitar in “Lay Down Your Crutch” that truly won us over. Honest, pure and intense.

Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge) (July 2009)
www.thecutting-edge.net