THE MANNISH BOYS "LOWDOWN FEELIN" Source: Blues Revue Magazine Date: 06/2008 Writer: Thomas J. Cullen III

For their fourth album, the Mannish Boys showcase the vocals of former Chicagoan Bobby Jones, the group’s newest member. This smooth chameleon shines on lesser-known gems from the likes of Junior Parker, Howlin’ Wolf, Billy “The Kid” Emerson, and Big Walter Horton. Favorites include Wolf’s concupiscent “Chocolate Drop,” with Jones nailing Wolf’s feral flair for making mirth sound menacing; and Parker’s lilting soul-blues shuffle “These Kind of Blues,” with a flamenco flourish from guitarist Kid Ramos followed by the lonesome strains of Scott Steen’s trumpet before Jones’ silky vocals kick in. With utmost reverence for the memory of the great Junior Parker, the Mannish Boys have improved on his original.

Vocalists Johnny Dyer and Finis Tasby are still on board. Dyer puts his Muddy-esque spin on a Shakey Jake Harris slow blues, “Good Times,” and Muddy’s brooding “The Same Thing.” Tasby appears on three tracks, the best a romping take on Albert King’s “If the Washing Don’t Get You, the Rinsing Will.” Guests Little Sammy Davis, Lynwood Slim, and Al Blake (harp); and Junior Watson and Fred Scribner (guitar) augment the Boys’ core ensemble on Lowdown Feelin’. Fred Kaplan contributes sparkling piano and ballsy B-3 to 14 of the disc’s 17 tracks, and a horn section and backing vocalists appear on several tunes.

Kudos to Delta Groove for featuring the woefully underrecorded Davis, who radiates the vitality of a younger man on his originals “Fine Lookin’ Woman,” a strident mix of Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson II with choking harp and Scribner’s serpentine slide; and “When I Leave,” a surprising Tyrone Davis-like stroller. The lone instrumental is a scorching, horn-propelled version of the Willie Cobbs warhorse “You Don’t Love Me” that features Kirk “Eli” Fletcher on lead guitar.

No band makes the old new again better than the Mannish Boys. There’s something for everyone on the group’s best release to date, a certain contender for album of the year.