On the Jimmy Reed Highway :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
"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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Customer Reviews

the best jimmy reed tribute i have ever heard

2007-11-26
I ALWAYS LOVED JIMMY REED...IF YOU LOVE JIMMY REED YOU HAVE TO OWN THIS CD....I AM A LITTLE SAD THAT THE DVD IS NOT AVAILABLE......AGAIN YOU MUST OWN THIS CD.......STEVE GURTMAN

Great Record

2007-11-11
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!

Won't play on 3 CD players

2007-10-24
The music is great but the CD will only play on my computer and in my car NOT on any of the 3 regular CD players in around house. Anyone else having this problem?

Juke Jointin Jumpin Bluuuues

2007-10-11
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.

Discovering Jimmy Reed and Omar Kent Dykes

2007-10-10
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.

Great Blues CD

2008-04-28
I thoroughly enjoyed this cd. Some have complained that Jimmy Vaughn's guitar playing wasn't up to par, but he sounds as he always does. He is not a jazz player. He plays it rough, bluesy, and always on the edge. Perfect for these songs. And the chance to hear the fabulous Lou Ann Barton, even in a background role, is worth the price. When will she be putting out a new cd?

Fine Texas Blues by the BEST IN THE BIZ!

2008-03-26
Omar and the Howlers lead blues-slinger meets Jimmy Vaughn and a group of classic vocalists to make ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST CDs....! This is a must-have for any blues fan! Jimmy Reed was really one of the most entertaining of the blues artists and his songs have been translated by the 21st Century's finest musicians--Jimmy Vaughn & Company. This one should win a Grammy!

Omar at his best!

2007-12-09
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!

Where have you been, Jimmy Reed!

2007-12-06
Great stuff! Omar and Jimmy really do justice to the late Jimmy Reed. I have been waiting for this fun and insightfull review of Jimmy's songs and style. These good ol' boys got it right!

OK,I'm prejudiced...

2007-11-28
...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 !