The Mannish Boys is a new project which features some of Southern California's best blues musicians with the cast fluctuating depending upon other commitments of the players. For instance, Leon Blue, who is the regular pianist, is now on tour with B. B. King and the exceptional guitarist, Kirk Fletcher, was unavailable for the show at Biscuits & Blues and their performance the next day at the San Francisco Blues Festival.

Taking over the guitar position, Frank Goldwasser, aka Paris Slim, cranked it up on the tune "Help Me" behind the harmonica playing of Randy Chortkoff. The show-stoppers were the vocalists. Johnny Dyer caressed the microphone while delivering a bluesy vocal on "Everything's Gonna Be All Right" and Finis Tasby's take on "Mean Old World" was repleat with his soulful phrasing. But Mickey Champion stole the show! This lady, now in her seventies, has been wowing Southern California audiences for over fifty years but is relatively unknown otherwise due to her fear of flying. On this evening, Champion's sequin outfit was effectively fashionable along with her comfortable bedroom slippers - she is the real deal. Her version of "Dr. Feelgood" revealed a bluesy raspy vocal style which boomed through the room when she roamed through the audience without the aid of a microphone. The audience could not get enough and hopefully we will get the opportunity to see this gritty, pull-no-punches blues veteran again soon!