THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: Blues Source Date: 05/2007 Writer: Tony Dellaria

I read somebody’s blog regarding The Mannish Boys today and I quote “It takes more than a little balls to attach your band name so closely to the great Muddy Waters. Well, it appears that these guys can deliver the goods with some unadorned, gutbucket blues.”  I immediately agreed! 

Finally, the long awaited follow up CD to the Mannish Boys debut CD That Represent Men and the in-concert set CD Live and in Demand is here!  A lot of bang for the buck here as always with The Mannish Boys, and I’m pretty sure this CD is destined for a Blues Music Awards nomination (probably more than one).  The artists include a cast of all stars, including, Finis Tasby, Johnny Dyer, Randy Chortkoff, Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser, Kid Ramos, Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, Leon Blue, Tom Leavey, and Richard “Big Foot” Innes, and also include special guests Jody Williams, Bobby Jones, Rick Holmstrom, Mitch Kashmar, Rob Rio, Larry Taylor, Jeff Turmes, and David “Woody” Woodford.  A total of eight singers take the microphone, so throw in a few guitar players, piano players, bass players, harp players and a caliber of musicianship like these gentlemen maintain and WOW!  If you want the full story on these phenomenal musicians it’s all in the liner notes.  Check them out.

The CD definitely captures the 50’s and 60’s blues sound and presents a great mix of lesser known covers and well penned (and played) originals.  The CD opens with a fast Texas shuffle titled “ Border Town Blues” featuring the vocals of Finis Tasby and some beautiful guitar licks by Kirk Fletcher.  Following is a nice little roadhouse boogie by Frank Goldwasser titled “I Can’t Stay Here”.  Finis then takes it down with T-Bone Walker's "I Get So Worried".  This may be my favorite on the disc, but it’s hard to get stuck with favorites amongst so much great material!

Well I would love to talk about all thirteen other tracks but you can check it out for yourself.  You won’t be disappointed!  Most of the cuts are flawlessly played and produced.  Please keep em’ coming Delta Groove, and thanks for keeping it real.