THE BAND Bobby Jones: vocals (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 17) Finis Tasby: vocals (3, 5, 15) Johnny Dyer: vocals (7, 14) Randy Chortkoff: vocals (12), harmonica (1, 4, 12) Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser: vocals (16), lead guitar (8, 12 – 1st guitar solo, 16), slide guitar (2, 7), rhythm guitar (5, 9, 10) Kid Ramos: lead guitar (3, 11, 12 – 2nd guitar solo, 15), acoustic guitar (1) Kirk “Eli” Fletcher: lead guitar (5, 10), rhythm guitar (1, 7, 8, 15, 16) Ronnie James Weber: upright bass (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17), electric bass (1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 16), guitar (3 – intro breaks) Tom Leavey: electric bass (2, 11, 13) Richard “Big Foot” Innes: drums (all tracks)
SPECIAL GUESTS Little Sammy Davis: vocals & harmonica (9, 13) Fred Scribner: slide guitar (9), rhythm guitar (13) Junior Watson: lead guitar (4, 14, 17), rhythm guitar (6) Lynwood Slim: harmonica (6, 8) Al Blake: harmonica (14) Fred Kaplan: piano (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17), B-3 (11, 12, 13, 14, 16) Scott Steen: trumpet (1, 3, 10) David “Woody” Woodford: tenor sax (1, 3, 6, 10, 17) baritone sax (1, 17) Cynthia Manley: background vocals (13) Jessica Williams: background vocals (13)
Produced by Randy Chortkoff & Jeff Scott Fleenor
Co-Produced, Recorded and Engineered by David Z
DESCRIPTION
The Mannish Boys seem to be in command of virtually every classic, neo-classic, obscure, and almost –unknown riff and lick in the postwar cannon, and they approach it all with unfettered enthusiasm and commitment.” – Living Blues Magazine
“…no finer collection of blues talent exists today in one band.” – Blues Revue Magazine
“An all-star blues band with an authentic spirit, The Mannish Boys have what it takes to preserve the music that deserves to be called our national treasure.” – Southland Blues Magazine
“Lowdown Feelin’” is the fourth installment by The Mannish Boys, which looks to capture all the success and forward momentum stirred by last year’s universally praised release “Big Plans.” Evoking the spirit of such legendary Rhythm & Blues revues of the past as the Johnny Otis Show, Ike Turner & The Kings Of Rhythm, or even the highly regarded American Folk Blues Festival, The Mannish Boys look to single handedly restore this grand tradition and carry it forward into the 21st century. This unrivaled convergence of world class talent combines the very best of both the older and younger generations representing the blues.
Returning to the spotlight on this endeavor is Chicago Blues veteran Bobby Jones, now a permanent fixture in the group, who turns out many of the album’s stunning highlights along with revered vocalists Finis Tasby and Johnny Dyer. The core unit of the band is once again comprised of guitarists Kid Ramos, Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, and Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser; band ringleader and master of ceremonies Randy Chortkoff on harmonica; bassists Ronnie James Weber and Tom Leavey holding down the bottom end; and drummer Richard “Big Foot” Innes supplying the fundamental rhythmic pulse that ties it all together.
As is customary on any Mannish Boys studio release, the program is enhanced by an array of special guests. This time out we find the boys joined by legendary vocalist and harmonica player Little Sammy Davis, whose recorded legacy dates back to the early ‘50s in Chicago appearing on notable recordings with guitarist Earl Hooker. Davis is accompanied here by his own guitarist and longtime musical collaborator Fred Scribner, who together, contribute two solid examples of Davis displaying his complete mastery and undying enthusiasm for the art form. Additional guests include West Coast guitar wizard Junior Watson, along with label mates Al Blake and Fred Kaplan of the Hollywood Blue Flames, and Lynwood Slim.
CREDITS
Produced by Randy Chortkoff & Jeff Scott Fleenor / Co-Produced, Recorded and Engineered by David Z / Assistant Engineer: Chuck Kavooras (SlideAway Music Studio) / Mixed by David Z, Chuck Kavooras, Randy Chortkoff & Jeff Scott Fleenor / Track Sequence by Jeff Scott Fleenor / Mastered by Robert Hadley (The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, CA) / Artwork, Design & Photography by Joshua Temkin (joshuatemkin@gmail.com) / Front & Back Cover Photographs courtesy of the American Memory Library of Congress, Digital ID: 8a16489u / Liner Notes by Scott Dirks / Radio Promotion by Frank Roszak / Retail by Jeff Fleenor / Business Affairs by Malcolm Wiseman
All tracks were recorded live to 2” Analog multitrack tape with vintage equipment and very little overdubs, and then mixed to ½” tape by real human beings. No Digital recording or editing was used on these entire recordings before final mastering. No goats or llamas were harmed during the recording of this production.
