Search - Omar Kent Dykes, Jimmie Vaughan :: On the Jimmy Reed Highway

On the Jimmy Reed Highway
Omar Kent Dykes, Jimmie Vaughan
On the Jimmy Reed Highway
Genres: Blues, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

"Big boss man is still the man today," growls Omar Dykes on one of just two non-Jimmy Reed covers from a rare release without his Howlers band. That handily sums up this roaring and impassioned tribute to one of the most v...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Omar Kent Dykes, Jimmie Vaughan
Title: On the Jimmy Reed Highway
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: Ruf
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 8/21/2007
Genres: Blues, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 710347112228

Synopsis

Amazon.com
"Big boss man is still the man today," growls Omar Dykes on one of just two non-Jimmy Reed covers from a rare release without his Howlers band. That handily sums up this roaring and impassioned tribute to one of the most vital, influential, yet often unheralded figures in blues. What was intended as a solo Dykes project took on a unique tinge as fellow Texan Jimmie Vaughan--also a huge Reed fan--swung by to add some solos and stayed to contribute his concise and taut guitar lines to nearly every track. The duo also brought in veteran harpists Kim Wilson (the Fabulous Thunderbirds), James Cotton (Muddy Waters), and local icon Gary Primich, as well as long time Vaughan associate Lou Ann Barton to upshift the groove with her sexy vocals. The resulting disc finds that slippery Reed pocket of sly, lazy, yet edgy shuffles that are deceptively difficult to recreate. Although Dykes's powerfully gruff, Howlin' Wolf-styled voice is nowhere near Reed's far less incisive approach, the bass-free instrumentation and Vaughan's guitar lines perfectly capture the essence of Reed's loping, low-key persona. Only a handful of these tracks ("Big Boss Man," "Baby What You Want Me to Do," "Bright Lights, Big City," and "Caress Me Baby") will be familiar to most, with others rescued from the deeper recesses of the bluesman's catalog. That makes this both a smooth drive and an immensely enjoyable learning experience for those wishing to take a field trip down Jimmy Reed's rugged highway. --Hal Horowitz

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CD Reviews

One of the best all around Blues efforts in years
Mark Dunlap | Buffalo, NY | 09/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Jimmy Vaughan fan, I love his understated style. His clear and subtle style of playing is a joy, allowing the listener to enjoy the song without being overwhelmed by one guy's playing. Well suited to collective efforts like this.



I had never listened to Omar Dykes until now, but the man has great range. On some songs his growl reminds me of Howlin' Wolf, and on others he becomes more melodic. A perfect complement to Jimmy Vaughan.



Add to those two the contributions of Kim Wilson and James Cotton on harp, Lou Ann Barton on vocals, and it is a great blend of talent. And the Jimmy Reed music is the perfect place for the group to play around in. It sounds as if the group was really having fun while making this. It makes me smile while listening.



I liked every track on this CD, which is rare for me- usually I find at least a couple duds. This CD is phenomenal, and a perfect play for the deck on a nice summer night with a cold beverage, watching the sun go down. A classic effort.

"
Riding the JR Highway
Willy | Hazlet, N.J. | 08/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoyed this cd,I purchased it over a week ago and it hasn't left my car cd player.A few orginals,a few JR standards and some gems you never heard.The band is so tight with Jimmie Vaughan doing most of the guitar and Omar with most lead vocals.Lou Ann Barton adds her sexy voice to a few songs and even sings some of the lead on Good Lover.

With Kim Wilson and James Cotton on harmonica this album really rocks.If you like Texas blues don't miss this one."
The Jimmy Reed Highway
MusicFan | 09/26/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a large fan of these Artists, but an even larger fan of Jimmy Reed. While it is very evident that these performers are true Reed acolytes, this album is typical of most all Jimmy Reed tributes and/or covers, his feel (which is in fact "him)" is just not there. The tempo is too fast on most tracks (another common problem with Jimmy Reed Covers) and the unique and distinct flavor of Eddie Taylor's playing is not in attendance. No one expects an exact replication of Reed and Taylor's work, but thier style, rythym and distinctive licks are as much a part of that music as the lyrics and the shuffle lick, but the latter is about all there is here. The Delbert McClinton rendition of Hush Hush, is an exception. It is obviously an interpretation, but one can still sense the same feel as the original. It is a reccomended buy as it is well worth having for fans of these artists as well as Jimmy Reed fans and should be a part of any such collection."