THE MANNISH BOYS "SHAKE FOR ME" Source: Washington Blues Society Date: 11/2010 Writer: Malcolm Kennedy

The whole Mannish Boys project is about three things: 1) one playing some damn good music with a bunch of friends, 2) focusing some attention on the music of some of the artists who gave us the blues, some well known others less know, and 3) focusing some long over due attention on some first class singers like Finis Tasby, Bobby Jones, Arthur Adams, and Johnny Dyer. They do this in true revue style with players and singers moving in and out of the band. Shake For Me marks the Mannish Boys fifth anniversary and once again, as on their first four releases, fins the band hitting on all cylinders and delivering the goods. The first fiver tracks are all different in style and introduce some new players including the rhythm section of Willis Campbell on double bass and Jimi Bott on drums. Finis opens things up with a ripping take on the classic “Too Tired,” backed by sister label Eclecto Groove’s Nick Curran on guitar. Bobby Jones is up next for a medley of Bo Diddley’s “Mona” and Johnny Otis’ “Willie and the Hand Jive” backed by Eclecto’s Mike Zito on guitar and vocals. Finis comes back and a laid back version of one of my all time favorite blues, Lowell Fulson’s “Reconsider Baby” with Frank Goldwasser laying it down on lead guitar. If you don’t already have some Mannish Boy’s in your collection there is no better time to start than with Shake For Me, and I am sure after you listen one time you will be back at the platter store to get the whole collection. I have this CD my highest recommendation.