Ron McManaman and Crosstown Blues Band

Artist: Ron McManaman
Title: Under the Blues Sky
Website: http://www.ronmcmamaman.com
Style: Blues
By L. Anne Carrington
http://www.indiemusicstop.com

If you’re into the music of the likes of Eric Clapton or JJ Cale, John Lee Hooker, or even sounds that are reminiscent to old time Chicago blues, then Ron McManaman’s Under the Blues Sky would be your ideal music album.

McManaman’s vocals are outstanding, with a cross between a gritty and low key relaxing. Each song on the album tells a story, which is something I always favor when looking for quality music. It’s a fresh brand of bluesy music for those looking for a change from the ordinary.

The lyrics on each track speak touch the listeners’ ears in the true to form sadness and honesty that only classic-type blues can do. Think of Muddy Waters or Willie Dixon when you hear McManaman’s guitar work; it’s a sound that can’t and shouldn’t be missed.

Best songs on the album are “Aint Gonna Change My Heart,” “Sitting Under the Blues Sky,” “What if a Heart Had a Brain,” and “Forever Love.”

This is one CD that has an authentic blues sound without being overbearing. I recommend it highly for any fan or curiosity seeker of blues music. You won’t be disappointed.


Dear Ron,

Below is a "screen shot" of my upcoming review of your album in All About Jazz (http://www.allaboutjazz.com), which receives millions of hits every month. It'll be posted on the site in about two weeks.

By Robert M. Sutton Discuss

Ron McManaman has energy to burn. Under the Blues Sky is a blues record that refuses to slow down, even when McManaman's lyrics peer into the loneliest spaces in his heart. It's almost as if the music is not allowing McManaman to give in to despair; in fact, it seems to be fighting the sadness, crunching it underneath the weight of his Fender Stratocaster. There are blues albums that wallow in life's disappointments, carrying listeners into the void with the doomed musician. Such is not the case with Under the Blues Sky. A large part of that is due to McManaman's playing, which bursts from the speakers like sparks. Like Eric Clapton, McManaman is skilled in combining driving classic-rock hooks with a bluesy undertow and rarely does he slow down.

The shuffling beat and sizzling riffs of "He's the Pretender" open the album with a breathtaking charge. McManaman sings with a low, ice-cool voice reminiscent of John Lee Hooker. He sounds calm and collected, almost detached, letting his guitar do most of the emoting. "What If a Heart Had a Brain" injects some self-effacing humor into angst-ridden regrets. "Gamblin' Man" features some of McManaman's most stinging playing. Indeed, there isn't room for any of the booze-drenched gloom that the blues is often characterized as peddling.

McManaman has an affection for country music as well. The title cut and "Ain't Gonna Change My Heart" have a rootsy kick to them, given added punch by Rick Peer's smoking harmonica. While McManaman's influences are obvious, his take on the blues genre is not conventional as he weds rock and country along with it, as if Clapton, Willie Dixon, and J.J. Cale all wrote songs and jammed together on an LP.

Visit Ron McManaman on the web.

Track listing: He's the Pretender; What If a Heart Had a Brain; Gamblin' Man; Sitting Under the Blues Sky; Forever Love; Lonesome Heart; Ain't Gonna Change My Heart; Ain't Two Ways to the Middle.

Personnel: Ron McManaman: vocals, guitar, bass; Joe Athon: sax, piano; Rick Peer: harmonica; Dave Jarman: drums.

Style: Blues



"Under The Blues Sky" Reviewed by RadioIndy.com!
POSTED BY: momof5pacs POSTED ON: 02 Feb 2009 08:07 PM

If you are looking for that old Chicago blues sound than “Under The Blues Sky” the latest CD by Ron McManaman should be next on your album shopping list. McManaman’s vocals really stand out as they have that gritty and lazy John Lee Hooker style to them. His lyrics also speak a certain sadness and truth to the listener’s ears (you can tell this guy has been around for a long time). “Ain’t Gonna Change My Heart” oozes that classic Fender Stratocaster blues tone and features some tasty but not too flashy guitar work by McManaman. The artist also stays true to the Chicago blues with “Sitting Under the Blues Sky” a song Muddy Waters or Willie Dixon would have been proud to call their own. The disc has raw and from-the-gut production giving it an authentic blues sound.
-Shaun H. and the RadioIndy.com Review Team


By Senior Writer C.W. Ross

Ron McManaman plays a blend of blend of country/rock blues that gets the blood pumping. On Alibis McManaman is joined by Rick Peer (harmonica), Rick Symmonds (keyboards), Dave Jarman (drums), from the Kansas City blues scene.

The eight songs found on this album are filled with great guitar work, steady drumming that drives each song, rolling keyboard work, and well placed harmonica parts.

"Don't Tell Me No Lies," is one of my favorite songs on this release thanks to those fore mentioned harmonica parts that moves the song up to the next level.

I also liked the last two cuts, "Mamalady," and "99%." Both songs feature guitar parts that take control of the songs and drive them home with their rock edge, ala artist like Eric Clapton.

Another thing that caught my attention on this release is the song arrangements themselves. Many of them draw down and just when you think it's about to end things pick up again and the song rolls on.

If you want to taste some blues with flavors of country and rock added in then Ron McManaman's Alibis CD will fill your need.
- Various