THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: MySpace.com/SupportingTheBlues Date: 07/2007 Writer: Robert D. Lehrian

The Mannish Boys are an "All-Star" band in the truest sense of the word. Featuring a virtual who’s-who of contemporary blues artists and guest legends, the band is one of the most exciting and experienced outfits on the blues scene today. Big Plans is the third release from The Mannish Boys and it continues the tough, no nonsense approach of their prior releases featuring a well-chosen collection of covers and exciting original material, along with a boatload of blues artists with talent to spare.

Finis Tasby remains the band’s centerpiece, laying down soulful vocals on “Border Town Blues,” “I Get So Worried,” Walkin’ Down Fillmore,” “My Baby’s A Good ‘Un,” and “Why Do Things Happen To Me.” Johnny Dyer steps up to deliver strong takes on two Chicago Blues classics, Muddy Water’s “Just To Be With You,” and Jimmy Rogers’ Broken Hearted Blues, while guitar legend Jody Williams delivers “Groan My Blues Away” and “Young and Tender.”

An added surprise on the disc is the appearance of veteran Chicago singer Bobby Jones who unleashes his legendary vocal prowess on commanding takes of “Mary Jane” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “California Blues.” Even Delta Groove’s own Randy Chortkoff joins in with a storming “Mine All Mine,” blowing some killer harp throughout. But it doesn’t stop there as Pianist Leon Blue steps up and delivers “Gotta Move” featuring some superb slide guitar from Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser, Rob Rio delivers the lowdown “Carpet Bagger Blues” and Goldwasser lays into “I Can’t Stay Here” with unbridled passion and precision.

With the core band made up of Finis Tasby, Johnny Dyer, Frank Goldwasser, Kid Ramos, Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, Leon Blue, Tom Leavey, Richard Innes and Randy Chortkoff and featuring guests Jody Williams, Bobby Jones, Rick Holstrom, Jeff Turmes, Mitch Kashmar, Rob Rio, Larry Taylor and David Woodford, this is an outfit that’s been nominated for Album of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year at the Blues Music Awards. Big Plans is the CD that’s going to finally put them in the Winner’s Circle. It’s that good.