It happened once upon a time.... and it was very pleasant, when three brothers from the Northern irish village of Derrylin, who shared their passion for local folkmusic, foundet a rockband with the name 'Mama's Boys'. But in opposite to their heroes Horslips, who mixed folk with rockmusic, the brothers Pat 'The Professor', John and Tommy McManus rather decided to go for Hardrock. Only a now and then input of Pat's fiddle solos reminded on the folk. From 1985, also other musicians were involved in this project. 
Mama's Boys released seven albums including a live recording. And their biggest hitsingle had definately been 'Needle In The Groove'

Mama's Boys 1982 - "Needle In The Groove"

I myself remember my first concert of Mama's Boys back in 1985, when they supported Gary Moore on his european tour. Later on, during my London Years I had the pleasure to see this group again - playing live as well as getting to know them personally, exspecially Tommy, the youngest McManus brother. Unfortunately, and this happens quite often, friendships drift apart, when there is a local distance for a long time. And so it was in that case. Well...'till I received this phonecall from England in November 1994. Tommy was dead. 18 years he fought against leukemia. And then he had lost the battle. With Tommy's dead, the band Mama's Boys died as well. Years of depression did follow, and musically it became a little quiet around the remaining brother's John and Pat, though they have always stuck to the music in various projects 'till this very day. And as we say so? Live goes on and the world keeps turning round and round.... 
And tonight we are here in Germany at the bavarian capitol of Munich and are looking forward for Pat McManus, the professor, who is on the road with his Pat McManus band....he is leading now for quite a few years, having 2 albums out so far. The third one is to come soon. 

I wasn't sure whether Pat would still recognize me after 17 years, but he did. And memory came back as it had just been yesterday. 
That's the nice thing about music business. Because within that one, you always meet again sooner or later, though it sometimes it takes many years. So thanks for the memory, the dejavu of some good days  with Mama's Boys, most of all with Tommy. 

But Pat has definately closed the chapter Mama's Boys. And all the music he has produced and made afterwards, has not much in common with the old days. Nowadays he prefers even more Bluesrock spiced with some irish folk inbetween, including the fiddle of course - heading for the slogan: back to the very roots.

With his 50 years of age, the professor still seems like 30 something and he sparkles some kind of calmness, at least off stage. Because up there, all his talents and the energy, which is still there, explodes like lava from a volcano crator onto the audiance. 
On his side there is drummer Paul Falcon and bassist Gordon Sheridan, who never steps on stage without his hat. Both are also from Northern Ireland and live in the neighbourhood of Pat, who has returned to his home counrty about 10 years ago. And there is of course his wife Sally, manager, Merch Lady and girl for everything. So you see, you can name this institution a real family business. 

There is only one little handycap at the whole story. And that's the fact, that the majority of all musiclovers , do not remember a band named 'Mama's Boys'. And that's why Pat and also John have to start literatually from the beginning to increase the popularity, at least what's up to the european mainland. This again has the result, that only few people have gathered here tonight. But as it is often said:
Beeing professional means giving the same, whether, there are 10 or 1.000 fans.  However, Pat and his band are playing the devil on the wall, as we say so, whereby the focus is put on Pat of course, who not only is a brilliant guitarist (hey, I didn't think, that there is any increasement in talents after Eric Sardinas, but there definately is) and he also handles the leadvocals and the fiddle. 

The fiddle is played twice during the set. And bassist Gordon Sheridan holds against with his bassguitar and underlines the scenery with his funny moving around, including his hat, which, as he says so - never must be missed at a show. In fact, he takes a little the wind from the sailing (as we say so over here) and the main focus Pat. 
Musically the focus is put on Pat Mc Manus' solorecordings - from a - carried away - Blues Rock 'till an almost Heavy Metal Blues. But there is of course the occassional ballad inbetween. 

The red line leads straight thorughout this great performance, leading from the deep sense 'Back In The Saddle', heads via the 'E_Mail Blues' until the instrumental piece 'The Professor: We get to hear a hommage to Rory Gallagher, who is, according to Pat, one of his biggest mentors. And in the end we even get a little memory to Mama's Boys in form of 'Needle In The Groove'.

However, there is not much more to say, apart from: that this has been a brilliant and entertaining show. But on the other hand an sadly once again I do get the impression, that - the better the musicians are, the less people swow up at shows. But mind me, and as I said before, Pat has to capture a new reputation again here in Germany. And hopefully he will be discovered again and catches up with new popularity. He deserves it so much that it almost hurts. 
By the way, in spring the McManus Band returns already, and then they got a new album in their luggage as well. Here in Bavaria they have lined up already on date, which is march 20  2011 at the Village in Habach. Further dates will follow hopefully soon. And I can only advise you to come along next time to check out this band, you definately won't regret. 
http://www.patmcmanus.co.uk/

PS: I want to dedicate this Live Review to Tommy, who will still be very much alive in our memory. 

Find some off stage snapshots in the  Diary