This “high energy” group was born out of two dynamic blues bands, taking the best from each and combining their talents to create a new and more diverse group
offering sounds in the flavor of CLASSICAL BLUES / RHYTHM & BLUES from
the late 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.
MANIFEST consists of 6 pieces – LEAD GUITAR, BASS GUITAR,
DRUMS, KEYBOARDS, SAXOPHONE AND LEAD VOCALIST. Performing
songs by some of the greatest artists in the blues culture brings added dimensions
as well as dynamics to the total band sound.
Female vocalist, the soulful Ms. Debbie, is very strong on vocals & dynamics.
She is most notable for her special renditions of ‘Dr. Feelgood’ and
‘Neither One of Us’, two of the bands favorites among other ballads and
“songs of the heart”.
“They call it stormy Monday, Tuesday’s just as bad; Wednesday’s worse and
Thursday’s oh so sad…”“She belts out the classic tearjerker ‘Stormy Monday’ like there’s no
tomorrow. The audience stands still and silent (except for a “sing it girl!” here and there), feeling the pain of the lyrics emanating from the singer’s versatile voice. As she holds onto the last note, the crowd erupts. They want more.”
Pam Manning – USA Group, Inc.’ 1977.
Their first CD “Live from the Slippery Noodle Inn: Volume I”, features two
cover songs by Koko Taylor, ‘Never Trust a Man’ & ‘Wet Match’. The
compact disc consists of recordings from several of the hottest blues groups in the
nation.
These songs were recorded by Ms. Debbie and Tyrone Caldwell of Manifest
on the “Slippery Noodle Sound” label and can be purchased at
your local record store. Ask for it by name “Live from the Slippery Noodle Inn
Volume I”. It has a national distribution and is on the Slippery Noodle Inn label.
At the time, the band was known as the Rebirth Blues Band, but changed their
name to In Full Transition, after the deaths of their talented and long time
drummer and keyboard player. The band is now known as Manifest.
In 1989, they won the first Indiana Blues Talent Competition and won an
all-expense paid trip to Memphis, Tennessee where they performed on Beale
street, placing first out of 50 bands from all over the nation, and winning second
place in the overall competition. They were such a hit, they were asked to stop
and perform ‘live’ at a local radio station as they departed Memphis, Tennessee.
In Indianapolis, their music is also played on several radio stations and it’s
surrounding areas such as Jay Zjaworski’s ‘Nothing but the Blues’ show on
WFYI-FM.
The band’s house stomping, rendition of Etta James’s ‘Standing on Shakey
Ground’ & ‘Let it Rock’, along with their funky version of the Staples Singers’
‘I’ll Take You There’ will have the audience dancing in the aisles. Along with
their many other musical arrangements, the smooth sounds of Tracy Chapman’s
‘Give me a Reason’ and their symphonic version of Gladys Knight’s “tear jerker”
‘Neither One of Us’ will undoubtedly get the audience’s attention! Cap it all off
with B.B. King’s ‘The Thrill is Gone’ and an audience sing-along of the blues
classic ‘Hey Bartender’, and the crowd will leave knowing that the blues & R/B is
still “alive and kicking”!!
Their last CD, which was recorded on Razzmatazz Records, “Mark My Word”
has allowed the group to go back to the studio. They are currently working on
their new CD, which will be released by the summer of 2005.
Manifest enjoys playing for all types of functions: Private, Public, and some
Benefits. Bookings can be made by email HERE or by contacting Indianapolis Blues Monthly Magazine.
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