Almost a year to the date that I was first introduced to The Asylum Street Spankers, they returned to Seattle for their third show in the last 12 months, playing an early and a late show to a full house at Seattle's Tractor Tavern.

Since their last appearance last August, The Spankers have had a series of member rotations, losing drummer Paul Schlichting, clarinetist Stanley Smith and violinist Korey Simeone while gaining Scott Marcus on drums, Reese Gray on Piano and Westen (Shorty) Borghesi replacing Korey's role as multi-instrumentalist.

As a critic as well as an instant and rabid fan of The Spankers, I was naturally apprehensive that the member changes would adversely affect their sound and stage show, but as soon as the opening notes were struck, it was evident that The Spankers had lost none of their sparkle. Reese Gray's stride style piano playing added an entirely new dimension to The Spanker's sound while ukulele playing and tap-dancing Westen Borghesi's towering 7-foot frame more than replaced any of the circus elements that may have been lost by top-hat wearing Korey.

Their latest album, Mercurial, is a 14 song collection of many of the classic and traditional covers done Spanker Style, as well club favorites like TV Party and Hick Hop. The unique thing of Mercurial is that it was recorded at Mercury Hall in South Austin, Texas using vintage equipment and vintage techniques; recording directly onto a 1959 Ampex 351 tube reel to reel recorder...live to a two-track with no way to over-dub. You hear them as if you were live at one of their shows without the hooting and laughter of the audience. I eagerly listened to each track as if I was devouring the next chapter of a book I couldn't put down. Aside from being a great album from front to back, Mercurial gives a new appreciation for the talent that each of these musicians have and their ability to work together to produce truly great music.

For more information on The Asylum Street Spankers, CLICK HERE