THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: The Association of Beach & Shad Club D.J.’s Date: 08/2007 Writer: n/a

The Mannish Boys are back, this time with Big Plans. This second studio album by the contemporary, awardwinning electric blues super group delivers straightforward Chicago-style blues in an unfussy setting. The list of the special guests on the release are as long as the nine-piece band and includes pianist Rob
Rio and harmonica player Mitch Kashmar, just to name a few. The lead song, in my opinion, is Mary Jane. I truly believe that if there is a hit from this release, Mary Jane will be the one. And it will, just wait
and see. However, Gotta Move has got a groove to it, and the up-tempo, leadoff song, Border Town Blues will please the fast steppers. Groan My Blues Away is a little slow, but thank goodness for pitch control. And when I heard Walkin’ Down Fillmore, I thought Sam Meyers had been reincarnated. The Manish Boys’ band members include bandleader Randy Chortkoff, veteran front man, Finis Tasby, guitarist Kid
Ramos, long-time member of The James Harman Band, blues guitar virtuoso Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser and bassist Tom Leavey, whose lengthy resume includes work with Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thornton and many others. This is another great release from the truly talented The Mannish Boys.