THE MANNISH BOYS "BIG PLANS" Source: Blues Magazine Date: 09/2007 Writer: J. Brown

I have never had such a difficult time understanding who I am listening to, while enjoying every second of what I am listening to.  Such is the situation presented by “The Mannish Boys”, in their 2nd and latest album “Big Plans”.   The band consists of 9 musicians and the album features 8 special guests in its 15 songs, and I love it.  From song #1, the incredible and young lead guitarist Kirk “Eli” Fletcher and long time blues singer Finis Tasby let it be known, under no uncertain terms, that I was going to be stompin and struttin to some sweet old home town blues.   The rhythm section was as talented and tight as BB King in a Mini Cooper.  The hardest part about listening to the CD was thinking about all the fun the musicians must have had recording such a great album with one another and me not being there to enjoy it with them!  This would be a perfect CD for musicians of any instrument or styling to play along with and learn professional timing, space and riffs.   This band was nominated for “Band of the Year” for the 2007 Blues Music Awards and their previous debut release “That Represent Man” was nominated for “Album of the Year” in 2006.  “Big Plans” can be found at
http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/releases/bigplans/main.html
This album receives my 4 of 4 stars and is an early Christmas present must buy.