THE MANNISH BOYS "LOWDOWN FEELIN" Source: Living Blues Magazine Date: 10/2008 Writer: Justin O’Brien

Lowdown Feelin’ is the fourth Delta Groove release for the Mannish Boys and their producers, who have a knack for allocating their personnel and resources to achieve the best possible musical results.
           
A surprising flamenco guitar intro from Kid Ramos kicks off These Kind Of Blues, which morphs into a pile-driving number sung by ex-Chicagoan Bobby Jones to open this nearly 70-minute set.

Jones’ deep blues voice is perhaps the standout feature (if that is even possible among this incredibly skilled lineup), bringing just the right touch of menace and careful command on the tracks he sings. He even conjures up the Wolf himself on Chocolate Drop (with fine Willie Johnson–inspired licks from guest Junior Watson). And on Billy “The Kid” Emerson’s lag beat Figure Head and the closing track, Dead Letter, Jones again demonstrates his masterful sense of timing and authority.           

Jones proves especially suited for Randy Chortkoff’s Searchin’ Blues—a candidate for song of the year—which is ignited by Frank Goldwasser’s hair-raising take on a Robert Johnson slide riff with shades of Robert Nighthawk.

Harmonicist and Poughkeepsie, New York–native crowd-pleaser Little Sammy Davis sings two original numbers—one penned for the occasion—accompanied by his longtime guitarist Fred Scribner. And guest singer Finis Tasby partners with Ramos and his fat-toned Lowell Fulson sound on Low Down Feelin, and again on Something’s Wrong.

Frequent guest Johnny Dyer teams with Goldwasser to deliver a haunting and playful take of Willie Dixon’s Same Thing, and returns with Good Times, which also features Delta Groove artist Al Blake on harp and the always dependable Fred Kaplan on organ.

It is both refreshing and encouraging to see a song selection that favors a broad range of little-known gems respectfully presented by a deep stable of talent. Admirably, the focus is on the music.

Kudos to producer, harpist, singer songwriter Randy Chortkoff and the Mannish Boys for another fine release, perhaps their best to date.