THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: National Autistic Society Date: 08/2007 Writer: Norman Darwen

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. I feel sorry for the Mannish Boys. It’s a cryin’ shame. I guess they had such high hopes for this release, but… never mind.

I really don’t know what to do – I don’t want to be the one to tell them. You see, there’s a real problem. Nobody has told the Mannish Boys that it’s not 1960 any more. Nobody’s told them that Chess and Vee-Jay aren’t making 45s any more – and that is where this music belongs. Blues this good should come on a small round piece of vinyl with a label in the middle. It is familiar territory for the still supremely skilled Jody Williams, as that’s where he used to appear – but it’s good he’s still making such wonderful music. It is where the likes of that hot rocking opener, ‘Border Town Blues’ should be. It is where Johnny Dyer’s superlative version of Muddy’s ‘Just To Be With You’, ‘Gotta Move’ with Leon Blue’s fine vocal and Frank Goldwasser’s equally impressive slide guitar work, Finis Tasby’s singing and Kid Ramos’s BB styled playing on ‘Why Do Things Happen To Me?’ should all be found. The 45, the natural home of the kind of classic blues performances featured on all 14 tracks.

Do YOU want to tell them – no, I thought not. But I have a cunning (big) plan. Listen – if we all buy this set, we can at least stop these guys having to face the terrible truth for a while yet – and not one of us will regret the purchase, I guarantee.