Customer Reviews

Manorisms

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Released in 1977, Wet Willie's debut on their new label Epic entitled "Manorisms", was an excellent album which was more pop than their past southern "Dixie Rock" releases on the Capricorn label. Wet Willie's style had changed with the addition of new memebers into the band such as Larry Berwalk who replaced Ricky Hirsch on lead guitar,Theophilius Lively who replaced Lewis Ross on drums, Marshall Smith replaced Wick Larsen on guitar. Original members Jimmy Hall (lead vocals, harmonica & saxes), Jack Hall (bass & vocals) and Michael Duke (keyboards and lead vocals) still remained with the group. Standout cuts are "Rainman", "Make You Feel Love Again","We Got Lovin'", "Street Corner Serenade" (which was the hit off the album), and "One Track Mind" (which recalls the old Wet Willie sound). I found this cd to sound flat, obviously it wasn't remastered for improved fidelity. Also, the inner cd sleeve is pretty cheap with no liner notes what so ever. The whole packaging of the cd seems cheap. I'm surprised Wounded Bird Records would release a product like this. I've several other cd's on their label and all sound great and the packaging is superior to this. Sony Special Products had something to do with this release so I guess that pretty much tells the story on why the cd sounds bad and the packaging is what it is. If you enjoyed listening to past Wet Willie albums such as "The Wetter The Better", "Drippin" Wet", and "Keep On Smilin'", etc. then you won't be disappointed in "Manorisms". Recommended.

...with Barrycrist's review--the recording is weak and the liner notes are on one sheet I couldn't read if you held a cocked pistol to my head but I bought it for one reason: "Make You Feel Love Again", which in my youth and even now is still one of the best rave-ups I've ever heard and I have NO idea why it's never included in ANY greatest hits collection--I was sick of "Street Corner Serenade" at that same point in time but absence makes heart grow fonder like the old saw goes so I'm enjoying it all over again--what the big surprise is the other songs I don't remember listening to which is the true example of blue-eyed SOUTHERN soul in the tradition of Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around and Fell in Love"--Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, et al. would've sang any of these tunes in their heyday--a little expensive for the drawbacks but for the songs ultimately worth it until a better sounding/looking re-release comes out...

Being from south MS I've always loved hearing Wet Willie perform. And, like everyone else, I had my favorite song. "One Track Mind" is mine. Just something about the guitar and harmonica together on this song sells it for me. Hope to see them soon and maybe hear it live!

The disc is mostly full of tepid and somewhat silly attempts at Southern pop-rock.
But Make You Feel Love Again is SPECTACULAR Southern pop-rock-soul.
How this song wasn't HUGE is beyond me.
Get the disc for this alone if you can't find the tune by itself.
Nothing else here is close...although I do agree with Criderman about the doo-wop of Street Corner Serenade... nicely done and worth a listen.