THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: Blues Critic Date: 05/2007 Writer: Dylann DeAnna

The old cliché "too many cooks spoil the stew" may be often true but that's not the case with The Mannish Boys who are a revolving, expanding aggregation of some of the top Blues players of West Coast Blues. Eight different gentlemen take their turn at the mic on these fifteen cuts but it feels as if it was all recorded in one heckuva session. "Big Plans" (**** 1/2) is the second studio set from what is essentially the Delta Groove Productions house band with aces like Kirk "Eli" Fletcher, Finis Tasby, Kid Ramos, Leon Blue, Richard Innes, Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser and Tom Leavey making up the core. Tasby sings lead on five, including the Texas pounder "Border Town Blues", Chicago classic "She's A Good 'Un" and "I Get So Worried". On the latter guest "Boys" Rob Rio (piano), Jeff Thurmes (bass) and David "Woody" Woodford (sax) assist.

Speaking of guests on this testosterone fest the great Jody Williams showed up to sang "Groan My Blues Away" and "Young & Tender". Bobby Jones leaps out of obscurity (was once the featured vocalist with the late 50s group The Aces) for "Mary Jane" and the Howlin' Wolf number "California Blues". Former Mighty Flyer Rick Holmstrom picks on four tracks. Mitch Kashmar blows harp on two. I could go on but shan't. Call this "the All Star Game of the Blues". It's not easy picking a highlight as the majority of these cuts are flawless in production and execution. A few cuts leap out: Goldwasser's roadhouse boogie "I Can't Stay Here", the aforementioned "Young & Tender" (written by Randy Chortkoff), Tasby's "Walkin' Down Fillmore". Smashzilla. Nobody does it better these days!