 |
|
 |
THE
MANNISH BOYS "LIVE & IN DEMAND"
Source: Blues Critic
Date: 11/2005
Writer: |
They
have one of the best band names since the Spin Doctors
and prove they are more men than mice on this no nonsense
blues show recorded at the 19th Annual Winthrop Rhythm
& Blues Festival. This 12 song set boasts a clean,
clear sound that could pass for a studio album. I mention
this so you're not turned off by the idea of a "live"
record. This is one smokin' band consisting of guitarists
Kid Ramos & Frank Goldwasser, blues harpists Johnny
Dyer & Randy Chortkoff, pianist Leon Blue, bassist
Tom Leavey, drummer Richard Innes & acclaimed singer
Finis Tasby. The disc kicks off with a ripping instrumental
("Kid's Jump") spotlighting Ramos' tart guitar
licks before band leader Chortkoff leads the gang through
a rather routine blues shuffle called "I'm Ready".
Things really pick up on the piano boogie "She
Wants To Sell My Monkey" with Leon Blue's dextrous
fingers and able vocals up front. Blue's credits include
The Ike & Tina Turner Review, Albert Collins, Lowel
Fulson & Jimmy Dawkins. Now it just wouldn't make
sense if The Mannish Boys didn't cover the Muddy Waters
classic "I'm A Man (Mannish Boy)" from whence
they take their moniker. Dyer handles the vocals here
as he does on "You're Sweet" and another Muddy
song, "Howling Wolf". The latter features
some slide guitar courtesy of Goldwasser. Tasby finally
grabs the mic for the rest of the set made up of classic
Chicago & Texas blues. Especially noteworthy is
the brooding "As The Years Go Passing By"
and "Walkin' And Talkin'" where Ramos really
shines. Ramos has played with the Fabulous Thunderbirds
and James Harmon but has also established himself on
his own. (Check out his "West Coast House Party"
). While your at it make sure you pick up The Mannish
Boys' first Delta Groove Productions album "That
Represent Man". See, if you like your blues rough
and raw sans the frills "Live & In Demand"
is blues you can use. And, as if you needed any other
reason to buy this CD, Delta Groove is donating 10%
of the net proceeds to the American Red Cross for the
relief of the victims of hurricane Katrina. |
|
|
