THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: KVRX Radio Date: 05/2007 Writer: Roger Gatchet

The all-star blues ensemble The Mannish Boys is back for their second studio release. This outfit of veteran West Coast and Chicago blues legends and up-and-coming talent are one of the hottest bands on the circuit today, and they prove why on this excellent set of deep, driving and soulful blues. The band¹s regular lineup is held down by cats like Johnny Dyer, Kid Ramos, and Texa'¹s own Finis Tasby, plus a bunch of special guests from Chicago vocalist Bobby Jones to college radio favorite and guitarist Rick Holmstrom. The album opens with a high-energy shuffle called "Border Town Blue" with Tasby handling vocal duties. Bobby Jones, a heavy-hitter in 1960s Chicago, delivers a nice cover of "Mary Jane" (4) while Delta Groove label owner Randy Chortkoff throws down some mean Jimmy Reed harmonica in the background. Mississippi born blues legend Johnny Dryer, who happens to be one of my favorite all-time artists, drives the ship on "Just to Be with You" (6) and Jimmy Rogers' "Broken Hearted Blues" (13). Goddamn he sounds so much like Muddy Waters on those cuts, it's uncanny.

Indecent/Obscene: None
Recommended Tracks: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 14