THE MANNISH BOYS "SHAKE FOR ME" Source: Blues Bytes Date: 05/2010 Writer: n/a

There are several things you can count on any time you listen to a release by The Mannish Boys:  a lineup of the best players on the current blues scene, a track list consisting of familiar and not-so-familiar blues tunes, excellent performances, and a guaranteed good time from the band and listeners alike.  There is nothing to be found to disprove that statement on their latest release from Delta Groove, Shake For Me.  
 
The present group consists of vocalists Finis Tasby and Bobby Jones, guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Frank Goldwasser, and harmonica player/producer Randy Chortkoff.  This time around, they are joined by a new rhythm section (Jimi Bott –drums and Willie J. Campbell – bass) and another all-star cast of “guest stars,” including Rod Piazza, Johnny Dyer, Mitch Kashmar, Arthur Adams, Mike Zito, Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, and Nick Curran.
 
Of the sixteen tracks, twelve are covers, ranging from the familiar (“Too Tired,” “Reconsider Baby,” “Last Night,” “Champagne & Reefer” and a Bo Diddley/Johnny Otis medley of  “Mona” and “Willie And The Hand Jive,” with Bobby Jones and Mike Zito on vocals) to the somewhat obscure (the Howlin’ Wolf tune, “You Can’t Be Beat,” “Black Nights,” Ray Charles’ “Hey Now, and “Way Down South,” which features Dutch singer/harp man Pieter “Big Pete” van der Pluijm and Kid Ramos).
 
The new tracks include a pair of songs by Chortkoff (“Educated Ways,” featuring Goldwasser on slide guitar, amd
Those Worries,” with Lynwood Slim and Chortkoff pairing up on harmonica), “The Bullet,” a scorching instrumental guitar fest with Fletcher and Nick Curran, and “Raunchy,” penned by Arthur Adams, who also sings and plays guitar.
 
You can’t go wrong with The Mannish Boys.  Shake For Me is as good a time as you’ll have with any current releases.  Simply put, its good blues done right.