Kentucky bred John Mann was raised on a musical diet that included the likes of Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Van Morrison. And those are elements that grace Mann`s delivery and inform his songs, but ultimately he`ll bring comparisons to folks like John Hiatt and twang-tinged country rocker Tim Krekel, who numbers among Mann`s fans. Not only a fan, but a musical associate and friend as well. Hands In The Pavement presents soulful roots music whose core spirit is the strong songwriter in John Mann. Louisville`s Courier-Journal critic Jeffrey Lee Puckett says of Mann`s songwriting, "(He) is no stranger to the romantic notions of rock `n` roll -- sunny day, car windows down, a pretty girl and a cold beer -- and he`s made an album that fits all of the criteria." "Fourth Street" gets the set in motion with a rush of Hammond organ swirl and Memphis-style horn accents. The disc closes with the spare acoustic guitar and harmonica number "Two Dollar Wedding". Between the two, Mann spans a warm region of Americana that`s both inviting and thought provoking. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (self-released)
