THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Liner Notes by Scott Dirks

In at least one respect, The Mannish Boys will probably go down in blues history in the same way as Hound Dog Taylor: a major independent record label was initially brought into existence for the sole purpose of releasing their music.  In the case of the Mannish Boys, it’s Delta Groove.

Delta Groove has since gone on to add a full and varied roster of additional talent and a growing catalog of well-received releases.  The Mannish Boys are now on their third release with Delta Groove, following up their widely acclaimed debut “That Represent Man” and the in-concert set “Live and In Demand” with the rollicking “Big Plans”, and they’ve cleverly avoided the common pitfall of a ‘sophomore slump’ via a novel method.  Over the course of three releases and countless live gigs and festival appearances around the world, the steady core of the band has featured a flexible and rotating cast of starring characters who have kept things interesting and fresh with each new release.  “Big Plans” carries on that tradition.  Stepping to the fore for the first time on their latest outing is long-time member Frank Goldwasser, whose as a solo artist also records for Delta Groove; he’s featured on guitar on six numbers here, and belts out a fine down-home vocal on the slide guitar showcase “I Can’t Stay Here”; Mannish Boys veterans Kid Ramos and Kirk Fletcher handle the lion’s share of the other guitar duties, with an assist from special guest Rick Holmstrom, who provides the perfect backing for the great Mississippi harp player and blues singer Johnny Dyer and Chicago blues legend Jody Williams.  Piano duties are split between a couple of the best in the business, veteran Leon Blue and west coast ace Rob Rio, who each take a turn stepping up to the mic for a featured vocal as well.  Charter member Finis Tasby on vocals leads the band through five hair-raisingly powerful numbers, and Mannish Boys impresario Randy Chortkoff and Delta Groove recording artist Mitch Kashmar take turns blowing the funky blues harp licks; Chortkoff also steps up to lead the band on a strong new original “Mine All Mine.”  And as always back in the drum chair, the great Richard “Big Foot” Innes anchors the rhythm section along with bass players Larry Taylor, Jeff Turmes, and Tom Leavey.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Mannish Boys CD without some surprises, and this time out they look to the blues capital of Chicago for a couple of extraordinary special guests.  Blues legend Jody Williams, whose amazing resume includes 1950’s recording sessions with Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Rogers for Chess, with Billy Boy Arnold for Vee Jay, and with Otis Rush for Cobra; re-emerged from a self-imposed retirement from music to be enthusiastically welcomed back to active duty by blues lovers around the world.  With The Mannish Boys he reprises a song from his very first recording session as a leader in 1955, “Groan My Blues Away,” and digs into a new original written specially for him by Randy Chortkoff “Young & Tender.”  Also featured on this release is veteran Chicago singer Bobby Jones, who was active on the Chicago blues scene going back to the late ‘50s.  Jones was the featured vocalist in The Aces with Dave and Louis Myers a few years after they’d parted ways with Little Walter; 40 years later Dave Myers still spoke highly of Jones’ talents, remembering Jones as “A hell of a singer!”  Jones has been absent from the Chicago blues scene and flying beneath the radar of most blues fans for many years, though he’s stayed in great shape and continued to sing, mainly in the soul and R&B field.  But now he’s returning to his true blues roots, and with The Mannish Boys providing the backing, proves that this is just where he belongs.

With a line-up like this, along with a perfectly chosen program of seldom heard covers and strong original material, and the first class production qualities that Delta Groove has become known for, The Mannish Boys have come up with another winner.  So sit back and enjoy, and don’t make any “Big Plans” for the next hour, because more than likely you’ll be busy groovin’ with The Mannish Boys.