eMusic Review 0
Assembled by southern California blues activist and occasional singer/harmonica player Randy Chortkoff, the Mannish Boys are a “supergroup” that performs revue-style, with different members, most of whom also have solo careers or belong to other bands, stepping in and out of the spotlight. The frontman and nominal leader is vocalist Finis Tasby, who sings like a lighter, smoother B. B. King and is aided by the gritty Mississippi/Chicago singer and harpman Johnny Dyer. Pianist Leon Blue (Ike and Tina Turner Revue, Albert Collins) often shows up, as well as guitarists Kid Ramos (James Harman Band, Fabulous Thunderbirds), Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser and Kirk Fletcher. The current rhythm section is Tom Leavey on bass and Richard “Big Foot” Innes on drums.
They have most of the pros and cons of other supergroups, in any genre. These guys are seasoned pros, who can play together tightly on short notice; they confirm that no matter how good individual soloists are, the groove counts for at least as much, if not more, in blues. But no matter how tastefully and impeccably they play, they are classicists to a fault; their idea of a bold move is… read more »
