It isn't often I get to review an album that's nominated for a Grammy. This one's nominated for two.

Booker T., aka Tiburon's Booker T. Jones, is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the strength of the Memphis Sound he created as the keyboardist and leader of Booker T. and the MGs, the band that put instrumental music on the charts with “Green Onions” way back in 1962.

Now he revives the rock instrumental record with “Potato Hole,” nominated for the best pop instrumental album Grammy, and a tuneful, ear-catching track on the CD, “Warped Sister,” is up for best rock instrumental performance.

Booker T's famed Hammond B3 is accompanied by the Drive-by Truckers, a band considered visionaries

of Southern rock. Neil Young brings the heat with some volcanic and yet tasteful lead guitar work that proves that you don't have to play fast and furious to be more than effective.

The opening track, the pounding “Pound it Out,” announces that this is a hard rock record, which may seem out of character for the former child prodigy who backed up soul singers like Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, and Sam and Dave.

But Booker T insists he always dug rock music, it just wasn't right for Stax, the label that made him a star.

What's amazing is the variety of melodies in the 10 tunes on this CD, the array of sounds he coaxes out of the B3 and the infectious grooves, one after the other, that are great in the

car or on the dance floor. Put it on at a party and watch your guests start shaking their booties, either that or banging their heads.

Jones wrote seven of the tracks, and takes Outkast's “Hey Ya,” label mate Tom Waits' “Get Behind the Mule” and the Drive-By Truckers “Space City” and makes them his own.

In case you're wondering, the title comes from the spot where 19th century African-American slaves hid smuggled food.

Keep your fingers crossed: Mr. Jones deserves a Grammy for this CD. Make that two.

Buy It: “Potato Hole,” Booker T, Anti-; Amazon.com; $13.99

— Paul Liberatore

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