THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: Bad Dog Blues Date: 05/2007 Writer: Jeff Harris

The Delta Groove label is one of the more impressive blues labels to emerge in recent years building a roster of top drawer talent mostly culled from the West Coast. The label intially made their mark in 2004 with "That Represent Man" the debut by The Mannish Boys an all-star group loaded with well regarded veterans and talented youngsters. In fact Delta Groove was formed just for the purpose of recording the group much in the same way Alligator was formed for the sole purpose of recording Hound Dog Taylor. The Mannish Boys were an immediate sensation, garnering loads of favorable press, a number of awards and playing string of well recieved festivals around the world. After releasing last year's in concert "Live & In Demand" the group is back with "Big Plans" a release that rivals their celebrated debut and already has to be considered for record of the year awards.

The Mannish Boys are a super group in the best sense featuring the cream of the crop of West Coast blues musicians plus a slew of tlaented guests. The core group is back including: Finis Tasby (vocals), Kirk Fletcher, Kid Ramos, Frank Goldwasser (guitar), Leon Blue (piano), Richard "Big Foot" Innes (drums), Johnny Dyer and Randy Chortkoff (harmonica). Special guests include: Jody williams, Rick Holmstrom, Mitch Kashmar, Rob Rio, Larry Taylor, Bobby Jones, Jeff Turmes and David "Woody" Woodford. Despite all the big names the beauty of the group is the terrific ensemble playing as the group runs through a well chosen set of lesser known blues gems and some first rate originals. The overall sound harks back to the vintage blues sound of the 50's and 60's leaning heavily towards Chicago and West Coast as the main inspiration.

Finis Tasby is a great journeyman blues singer with a career stretching back to the 60's who's cut a batch of very good recordings under his own name during the past decade. Every one of Tasby's five lead numbers are winners including T-Bone Walker's after hours gem "I Get So Worried" with Ramos injecting some elegant fret work, the low-down blues of Roy Hawkins' "Why Do Things Happen To Me" and the shuffling original "Walkin' Down Fillmore" featuring the sizzling twin guitar work of Ramos and Fletcher. Blues legend Jody Williams played with everyone in Chicago during the 50's and after a long layoff has made one of the more impressive comebacks in recent years. Williams turns in a marvelous remake of "Groan My Blues Away" a number from his first session as leader in 1955 and "Young and Tender" an original written just for him. A real suprise is singer Bobby Jones who was active in Chicago during the 50's and a one time featured vocalist for the famed Aces. Jones has kept a low profile but returns in fine form on two cuts; the loping Chicago blues of "Mary Jane" featuring some Jimmy Reed inspired harp from Chortkoff and the moody, little known Howlin' Wolf nugget "California Blues." There's not a bum track in the bunch with other highlights going to Johnny Dyer who delivers an uncanny Muddy Waters impersonation on "Just To Be With You" and some blistering slide guitar form Frank Goldwasser on two numbers.

"Big Plans" is another winner for The Mannish Boys a group so loaded down with talent it's suprising these in demand musicians can find the time ro record so often. Let's be glad they did and let's hope there's more to come.