Customer Reviews

On The Jimmy Reed Highway

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

I learned about "On the Jimmy Reed Highway" from an NPR program. I did not know who Jimmy was, but I was immediately hooked. If you are over 40, and don't know Jimmy Reed, you will be amazed when you hear this catalog. This is the stuff you have heard for many years, maybe covered by other bands, or maybe on a blues station, or late at night... or from somewhere you just can't remember. The songs have roots. They reach back deep into your mind/soul/past/gut and find familiar places. What a delight to find out where the lyrics "Bright Lights, Big City" come from, and a greater delight to find that this was not written by a one hit wonder. "Big Boss Man" still speaks truth to power, and "I'll Change My Style" makes just as much sense now as any other response to the spurn of a woman. Each Jimmy Reed song stands on its own merit, and there is great credibility in the voice of Omar Kent Dykes. And the masterful first-take guitar work of Jimmy Vaughan besides! I like the under-produced style of the recording, which finds perfection in collaboration, not studio magic or overdubs, or pitch shifting, time shifting, or anything obvious that takes away the performance of these artists, who are clearly delighted to be part of something unique. The mix is well balanced and gives space to Omar's voice, Vaughan's guitar, and works great in the car... I want to DRIVE somewhere while it is playing. With guest appearances from James Cotton and others, this is a gem. Highly recommended.

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.

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.

I love good, deep down blues. I love this CD. The singing is superb. And the songs are terrific. The guitars are hot and really get down. You'll also hear a harmonica, which is ever-present in blues. Each voice is unique and soulful. Dykes and Vaughan are absolutely great in this recording. You'll think you're in a roadhouse in the south when you listen to this.

Highly recommended! Very cool.

A great hommage to Jimmie Reed in a lowdown no frills Texas style.
Raw and one session only feeling.

The recoding is very well done. The selection from the Jimmy Reed catalog is a fine representation of his work. Omar's vocals are powerful and his style of singing is very fitting this style of post war blues. If you are looking for drone on guitar slinger solos (like much if the newer blues has to offer) you will not find them here. Vaughan's gutair work is there, not flashy just right. Get this record!

When you hear this CD if feels like you in the road house club with the band. I smell the spilled beer, the old cigarettes, the Jungle Gardenia perfume. It's all there. It's almost sounds too good but that is good. It's funny - I found out about this CD because he was born in McComb, Mississippi - that's where Bo Diddley and Bobby Lounge are from. Now what's in that water.

...having been around Austin since the '70's.I can remember when Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson were playing in beer joints as The Fabulous Thunderbirds.At the same time Lou Ann Barton was singing in a band called The Triple Threat Review with Jimmie's little brother Stevie Ray.I saw Omar & The Howlers at the old Austex Lounge for my 26th birthday.So what this sounds like to me is a great big blast of the old Austin blues scene come roaring back to life,even if it is only for this one recording.And there's not another group of musicians in the world better suited to pay tribute to Jimmy Reed,these people have worshipped at his feet their whole careers.Some reviewers have said they thought that Jimmie Vaughan's guitar work was lacking,I think he's just adding his own minimalist style rather than just copying the original Eddie Taylor licks.This is a true work of love.In the liner notes Omar dedicates the song "Jimmy Reed Highway" to Clifford Antone who was probaly the biggest Eddie Taylor/Jimmy Reed fan on the planet.And Jimmie Vaughan dedicates the whole CD to Eddie Taylor.This CD is a big sloppy kiss from the cream of the Austin blues musicians to their heroes.I give it 4 stars only because you have to be a fan of this kind of music to truly appreciate it.But for those that do,this is a true gem & a must buy !

Omar does a great job on all these old Jimmy Reed hits. Vaughan's not too shabby on the guitar himself. :) It's definitely worth the purchase!