While I realize today is the release date of the new Stones album, Hackney Diamonds, it’s also Tom Petty’s birthday. I can’t believe it’s been six years since we lost Tom. I feel that loss to this day. The man was only 66… actually less than three weeks away from turning 67. I feel like we’ve missed out on so much music he would have created. Luckily we’ve had some fabulous, posthumous releases like Wildflowers…All The Rest and An American Treasure to keep us connected with Petty and his Heartbreakers. On this day above all others I think it’s good for us to swing our focus back to Petty.

Towards the end of his career, after the slight misstep that was The Last D.J., Petty hit his stride in a big way. The last three LPs he released, Highway Companion (a 2006 “solo” album), Mojo (2010), and Hypnotic Eye (2014) were all great albums that are absolute career highlights. One of favorites from those late releases was Mojo. It was hailed as Petty’s “blues” album. I remember at the time reading a Petty interview and he said he’d been listening to bluesy stuff for a while and when he presented the idea of incorporating a more blues oriented sound into the  music, the Heartbreakers (Mike Campbell, guitarist extraordinaire; Benmont Tench, keyboards; Ron Blair, bass; Steve Ferrone, drums; Scott Thurston, utility infielder…er multi-instrumentalist), readily agreed with the idea. Now it’s probably obvious that I was going to be all in on a blues rock album, I’m on record as loving the blues… it’s the root of almost all the music I love.

But I have to say, while Mojo is very bluesy, I wouldn’t exactly describe it as a Petty’s “blues” album. It’s got more in common with the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds or the Allman Brothers Band than it does with say, Howlin Wolf or Muddy Waters. The Heartbreakers really stretch on this record. And frankly, try on a few different styles, including a reggae styled tune, than just straight up blues. I had to drive to the outskirts of town yesterday to go to the DMV and I put on Mojo as I barreled down the highway and I must say… this album might be a better “Highway Companion” than the album that bears that name. And now the Petty camp has re-released the record, now dubbed Mojo (Extra Mojo Version) with three extra songs, only one of which was previously available.

There are a lot of great tunes on this record to begin with. If you haven’t ever lingered over this record, I highly suggest you do. The opening track “Jefferson Jericho Blues” is the pinnacle of blues rock. It leads into “First Flash of Freedom” a trippy almost Allman Brothers-esque track. At almost seven minutes it reminds of that bands’ tune “Dreams.” “Running Man’s Bible” is up next and in my ears this should  have been the first single. It’s bluesy but it slinks along. As always Mike Campbell’s guitar is searing. “A Trip To Pirate’s Cove” is another Allman-y kind of track. “Candy” is a chugging, straight blues number. With different lyrics it could have been a train song.

“No Reason To Cry” kicks off the middle of the album and it’s an acoustic driven, country ballad. Frankly, I had forgotten about this track until I was racing down the highway and it’s a beautiful song. And a nice change of pace on the record. “I Should Have Known It” may have blues flourishes but it’s hard rock. Petty almost snarls the lyrics over a monster riff. I always thought this was the first single but I may be wrong. The guitar solo at the end is worth the price of admission. “U.S. 41” is a great blues tune and if I ever do a playlist of “Road Songs” this song will be on it.

After the riffy “Takin’ My Time” and the slinky blues of “Let Yourself Go” with great harmonica no less, Petty does a great reggae influenced track, “Don’t Pull Me Over.” I love the blues but this song almost steals the whole show. It tells the tale of a pot smuggler… “Please Mr. Policeman… don’t pull me over.” There are so many highlights. “Lover’s Touch” is a great blues rock tune. “High In The Morning” is another tune that should have been a single. It’s a total ear worm of a track. “Something Good Coming” is another wonderful ballad…

Now to the reason for this post – the great bonus tracks. “Little Girl Blues” is a bluesy rave up that was available as an iTunes exclusive when the album came out. I never hear anybody talk about this song. It sounds like a late 60s blues rock band. There are also two tracks that had never been released before. “Help Me” is a cover of an old Sonny Boy Williamson II track. There were 2 unrelated Sonny Boy Williamson out there… it’s a long story. Petty and the Heartbreakers just kill on this cover song. They sound like the Animals. Great organ and bluesy guitar. I don’t know who plays the harmonica but get that man a beer! If I heard a band playing this song in a bar, I’d be sitting down, ordering something strong, perhaps a rye whiskey, and staying for a while. The other song, “Mystery Of Love” is a Petty original and I’m a little stunned it didn’t make it on the original album. It’s another slinky blues track. When Petty sings “I’ve done things I can’t defend…” I feel it in my solar plexus. I’m delighted to add this track to the pantheon of great Petty tunes.

If you’re a fan of Petty, Mojo, the blues or blues rock you need to hear these tunes. I bought them immediately this morning. Of course, I owned “Little Girl Blues” already. These two very strong blues tunes prove that Mojo wasn’t just a genre exercise for these guys. They were committed to the blues and they play it with passion and skill. If you’ve never heard Mojo before, I urge you to put on this Extra Mojo Version as soon as possible… maybe open a cold beer… and prepare to groove on the blues. Many people think of the blues as being depressing or sad music. This music proves that there can be a hell of a lot joy in the blues… and joy is in short supply these days…

Cheers! and Happy Birthday Tom, we all miss you down here at B&V.