THE MANNISH BOYS "LOWDOWN FEELIN" Source: Music City Blues Date: 04/2008 Writer: Don Crow

The Mannish Boys are certainly the closest thing to a "supergroup" in contemporary blues. Comprised of players that are not only well-versed in all facets of the blues, each individual has his own "specialty" that gives the group its definition and depth. With the Delta Groove release of "Lowdown Feelin," The Mannish Boys present their most diversified project to date. Anchored by guitarists Kid Ramos, Kirk Fletcher, and Paris Slim Goldwasser, plus vocalists Johnny Dyer and Finis Tasby, the Boys are joined here by a "returning" member, vocalist Bobby Jones, long a fixture on the Chicago blues scene of the Fifties. Add in "the usual suspects," Randy Chortkoff on harp, Ronnie James Weber and Tom Leavey on bass, and Richard Innes on drums, and these Boys can romp and stomp with the best of 'em.

No Mannish Boys set would be complete without a few surprises, presented herein with guest spots from such luminaries as Lynwood Slim, Al Blake, and Jr. Watson, plus a visit from another "old school" vocalist, Little Sammy Davis. That's one of the cool things about this band--they strive to keep the blues alive not only through their own stylings, but by also introducing some perhaps lesser-known or predominantly regional artists to the mainstream blues population, as well as resurrecting some rather obscure song nuggets, too.

"Lowdown Feelin' rocks from the git-go, fans. Bobby jones does his best Wolf imitation on "Chocolate Drop," while Johnny Dyer channels Muddy like no one else can on "That Same Thing" and "Good Times," featuring keyboard work from Fred Kaplan. Kid Ramos' slide behind Bobby Jones' vocal on "Searchin' Blues" makes for a sweet ride down to the Delta, indeed. A punchy horn section drives Finis Tasby's vocal on the title cut, a tale of a woman so mean she has "ice water in her veins!"

We had two favorites, too. Little Sammy Davis takes the lead vocal on "Fine Lookin' Woman," as the band sets up a groove straight outta the clubs in Chicago. And, Bobby Jones takes a long-lost nugget from Sun artist Billy "The Kid" Emerson entitled "Figure Head" and perfectly conveys the story of a "money grubbin' woman" set to a swampy, stop-time groove.

Just like the Lakers or Celtics, THe Mannish Boys have taken an extremely talented group of individuals and put them together to produce an unbelieveable band committed to the preservation of the blues, and doing so with unabashed enthusiasm for the genre'. Enjoy what is sure to be a 2009 Blues Award nominee, and get that "Lowdown Feelin' today!!! Until next time....Sheryl and Don Crow.