THE MANNISH BOYS "SHAKE FOR ME" Source: Blues Revue Magazine Date: 09/2010 Writer: Rev. Keith A. Gordon

One of the few bona fide blues “supergroups” on the scene today, the Mannish Boys are celebrating their five-year anniversary in 2010 with their fifth album, Shake For Me. The band is built around the instrumental core of guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Frank Goldwasser, harp player Randy Chortkoff, and vocalist Finis Tasby. Everything thing else is improvised, which leaves the (revolving) door open for all sorts of talented musicians to come and play and have a good time. The results are unpredictable, though always entertaining.
        
Shake For Me can boast of, perhaps, the greatest roster of talent ever assembled for a single recording. From guitarists Kid Ramos and Nick Curran and harp players Rod Piazza, Mitch Kashmar, and Lynwood Slim to guest vocalists Bobby Jones (by now a fulltime member), Arthur Adams, and Johnny Dyer, Shake For Me offers up a little something for fans of every shade of the blues. “Too Tired,” for instance, is a sprightly bit of jump blues jive with swinging vocals by Tasby, some heavy-gauge licks by Curran, and powerful horn blasts from David Woodford and Lee Thornburg.
        
As for “unpredictable” results, open your ears to the Boys’ spirited medley of Bo Diddley’s “Mona” and the Johnny Otis classic “Willie And The Hand Jive.” With Jones and Mike Zito sharing vocals, and Zito laying down some wicked leads across Goldwasser’s reckless “Diddley” rhythm, the end product both rocks and rolls. Little Walter’s “Last Night” features an inspired performance from harpist Piazza and Tasby’s mournful, bluesy vocals while Chortkoff’s original “Those Worries” is a Chicago blues-styled slow burner with great Jones vocals, Goldwasser’s slinky slide guitar, and Chortkoff and Lynwood Slim swapping devastating harmonica licks.
        
Shake For Me is best summed up by a raucous cover of Muddy Waters’ “Champagne & Reefer.” With guest vocalist Dyer and Kashmar on harp, the Mannish Boys deliver a performance that dances joyfully close to the flame. That’s been par for the course across five albums and five years, the Mannish Boys playing the music they love and having a good time doing so.