MAMA’S BOYS – S/T [Bad Reputation remaster Limited 2-CD Edition / 11 Bonus Tracks] (2025)

Reissue experts Bad Reputation bring back MAMA’S BOYS‘ iconic self-titled 1984 “Mama’s Boys” album in its definitive version, with an impressive collection of bonus material. There’s a regular CD with 3 bonus tracks, but this is the Limited Editon, only 300 copies on sale exclusively via Bad Reputation’s website.

“Mama’s Boys [Bad Reputation remaster Limited 2-CD Edition / 11 Bonus Tracks]” a treasure trove for fans, revisiting the band’s heyday while adding extra gems for collectors and newcomers alike. Additionaly, it’s presented with its original cover art.
“Mama’s Boys” is the Irish guys first international / major label release, produced by expert Chris Tsangarides – who also supplied keyboards – to provide the band with a more melodic, radio friendly sound so in-voge circa 1984, still retaining their hard rock edge.
Here the McManus bros re-recorded many of their best known tracks from their 3 successful independent albums, plus a new track and a cover of Slade’s classic ‘Mama We’re All Crazy Now’.
This is the first time “Mama’s Boys” is being remastered, and among the bonus there’s a few rare tracks that haven’t been on CD before.

This album introduced Mama’s Boys to America and showcased the band had the chops, the songs, the skills, and the looks to be one of the biggest hard rock bands of the 1980s, and earned their credibility opening for Rush, Ratt, and Bon Jovi, among others.
“Mama’s Boys” includes some of the band’s best cuts, and their cover of Slade’s “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” — that was released as a single, saw decent MTV airplay, and reached number 54 on the American charts, but was ultimately trumped by Quiet Riot’s number one version of the same song.

This eponymous release Mama’s Boys was intended to cherry-pick the best tracks from the band’s first years of independent activity as a means for new label, Jive Records / Arista, to introduce them to America. Thanks to Tsangarides the songs ended being more accessible, polished, with some keyboards into the mix.
Among the highlights we find a slick new version of “Needle in the Groove”, the favorite “In the Heat of Night,” “Runaway Dreams”, the AORish “Midnight Promises”, and their second LP standout “Gentleman Rogues”. The cover of Slade’s “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” is fun, and has a swirling solo by Pat ‘The Professor’ McManus.

This “Mama’s Boys” 40th Anniversary remastered reissue by Bad Reputation is excellent, with a fuller sound quality.
“Mama’s Boys” is a must have for all Mama’s Boys and ’80s classic hard rock fans, and this is the definitive version to own.
Highly Recommended

01. Crazy Daisy’s House Of Dreams
02. Runaway Dreams
03. Mama We’re All Crazee Now
04. Gentleman Rogues
05. Lonely Soul
06. In The Heat Of The Night
07. The Professor
08. Midnight Promises
09. Straight Forward [No Looking Back]
BONUS TRACKS:
10. In The Heat of The Night (Long Version)
11. Needle In The Groove
12. Record Marchine (7” Version)

 

Limited Edition Bonus CD:
01. Gentleman Rogues (live)
02. Letting Go (live)
03. Needle In The Groove (live)
04. Runaway Dreams (live)
05. Mama We’re All Crazee Now (live)
06. Without You (live)
07. If The Kids Are United
08. Letting Go (remix)

Vocals, Bass – John McManus
Guitar, Fiddle, Backing Vocals – Pat ‘The Professor’ McManus
Drums, Backing Vocals – Tommy McManus
with:
Chris Tsangarides – Keyboards, Producer
Pete Harris – Fairlight
John Elstar – Harmonica (track 5)
Dee O’Malley, Jody Turner, Julie Turner – Backing Vocals