THE MANNISH BOYS "LOWDOWN FEELIN" Source: Kentuckiana Blues Society Date: 09/2008 Writer: Bob Brown

In the April 2008 Newsletter, I reviewed “Big Plans” by the Mannish Boys. That was my introduction to the band and I was truly impressed. When this new CD was offered up for review at the Board Meeting, I jumped at the chance. I was not to be disappointed. This new CD has 17 cuts which includes originals and covers.

I’ll give you the pros and cons of this CD. First, the cons: There is a song called “The Woodchuck” that should have been deleted from the CD. We all know the song – “how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood”. The pros: Everything else.

These guys are the real deal and we have Delta Groove to thank for bringing them together. Their music is modern, but classic. The songs have a 50’s and 60’s feel to them. There is a “feel” to music of that era that until the appearance of this band, has been un-reproducible. Don’t get me wrong. This is not “old timey” music. It is as relevant today as it ever was and is digital now which makes it more difficult for the artist to have that classic sound. These guys pull it off flawlessly.

The first song starts out as sounding like a Spanish troubadour introduction, but quickly changes tempo. Living Blues magazine said “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”. Amen. Issue 195 (April 2008) took an extensive look at the band.

The harp and slide work throughout the CD make the music authentic. He guitar is    60ish – no distortion boxes, etc.

I think what makes this group unique is that it is a large group of individuals that all seem to have the same taste and desire to produce the same type of music. If it weren’t for them, one might say that “there will never be blues like the 60’s & 70’s”. The Mannish Boys are here to quench your thirst for this music and style. It is from an era pre rock and roll. It is difficult and rare to find new music that is not influenced by rock and this one is a gem.

You owe it to yourself to buy this CD. You won’t be disappointed.