Omar Dykes
Big Town Playboy
RUF #1142
Not so much a follow up to 2007’s On The Jimmy Reed Highway, but more of a continuation of a VERY good idea, Omar Kent Dykes seems to have hit a new stride in his formidable career with Big Town Playboy, his latest release for the RUF label.
You don’t fix what ain’t broke, so Dykes smartly stuck with the same tested rhythm section of Wes Starr on drums and Ronnie James on bass. And he invited back some of the excellent musician friends that helped make the last CD such a pleasure for Texas blues fans – Jimmie Vaughan, Lou Ann Barton, Gary Clark Jr. and perhaps the most underrated guitarist in Texas, the incomparable Derek O’Brien. Of course, a new CD means a chance to add a few new friends, and Omar has done so here, including Lazy Lester and James Cotton – excellent choices, each bringing their distinctive blues stamps to the project.
Although the last release concentrated on the music of Jimmy Reed, a couple more of his tunes are included here as well – “Mary, Mary” and “Close Together”. But this retro-themed tribute to Dykes musical forefathers includes tunes from a wide variety of blues masters. Once again Omar sings duets with the undisputed Queen of the Texas Blues, Lou Ann Barton, including a gritty version of Jimmy McCracklin’s “Think”. Gary Clark Jr. adds guitar and harmonica to the Slim Harpo gem “King Bee” and also on “Man Down There”. Two tracks feature Louisiana harp master Lazy Lester – “Hello Mary Lee” and “Dream Girl”. And James Cotton has his harmonica say so on the title track, as well as Reed’s “Close Together”, I Can’t Judge Nobody” and John Lee Hooker’s “No More Doggin’”.
In the liner notes of On The Jimmy Reed Highway Jimmie Vaughan made a special dedication to Eddie Taylor, because ‘…this record is just as much about him as it is Jimmy Reed’. (ALWAYS read the liner notes, kids.) So it’s no big surprise that this project kicks off with two Taylor classics, the title track “Big Town Playboy” and “Up Side Your Head”. Vaughan’s distinctive vocals and guitar prowess are everywhere, adding the touch you can only get from a good ole boy who picked his first six-string in Oak Cliff, Texas. Tasty stuff indeed!
Derek O’Brien once again contributes both his considerable guitar talents and his infallible skills as producer. The project has a warm, welcoming sound to it. From the retro vinyl-like CD disc itself to the slightly weathered typeface used on the cover, “Big Town Playboy” feels like coming home to the blues. It reminds us that not all the best in blues is in the past – here is proof it is alive and kicking in 2009!\Big Town Playboy proves the Jimmy Reed tribute was no fluke – Omar Dykes is on a roll. It’s a new path for him, but one he was born to travel down. If you love the blues, take a trip to the big town with this playboy – you won’t be disappointed!
- Blue Lisa -
Southwest Blues CD Review - July 2009
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