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Austin Live Music >
Austin Bands >O >Omar & the Howlers
Bamboozled: Live in Germany
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Boogie Man
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Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
A Howlin New Release! at 2004-03-23
Omars gritty and slightly hollow baritone vocals pay homage to the boogie blues by way of Memphis, TN. The Howlers stay closer to traditional Texas blues rock with roadhouse influences and an open-tuning slide background. Omar and The Howlers remind one of eating good barbecue in the August heat; weaving many traditional tunes by putting a Tennessee spin on the 12-bar. Omars gruff and intense vocal interpretations will remind one of a more nasal and laid-back version of Bob The Bear Hites recordings with Canned Heat in the mid-late 1970s (The New Age, 1973, Human Condition, 1978, Etc.) The ever-present influence of John Lee Hooker permeates every crevasse of this album in an 11 track front-to-back boogie. Many friends have showed their appreciation for Omar, lending their help for the release of Boogie Man. With a growing and rotating list of contributors, the Howlers on this album include (but are not limited to) former Frank Zappa Drummer Terry Bozio, Texas guitar veteran Chris Duarte, and vocalist Alejandro Escovedo. Check back to his webpage for tour updates: www.omarandthehowlers.com
Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
It will grow on you at 2005-11-10
Boogie Man will grow on you! I like the title cut, and Bamboozled is great. You will find yourself singing along to Drowning in Love, I guarantee it. This CD has good, fresh tracks, well recorded, and of course Omars excellent vocals.
Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
The Boogie Man is Gonna Get Ya! at 2005-10-20
After a short hiatus following the passing of his wife Lyn, Kent Omar Dykes is back with a new collection of blues, born in Mississippi, and tempered in the hot Texas sun. (Kinda like Omar himself) Boogieman is music that is home in any downtown hot spot or juke joint in Austin, but has an appeal far beyond the night haunts of the Lone Star state. In this album, the influence of all the great masters of the blues float through the music like spectres in a haunted house. Listen to the Title track, and you can feel John Lee Hookers ghost haunt every note, every lyric, every beat of the song. Bo Diddly, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Albert King they all have a turn tickling the hairs on the nape of your neck, and delivering that delightful little cold shiver down your spine, every time you hear Omar deliver the wisp of a lyric or pull a guitar hook. The brilliant simplicity of Omars delivery style on guitar is counterpointed by the grit and gravel of his vocals. The two opposites harmonize, to create the compelling sonic experience that is Omar and The Howlers. There is a hidden bonus on this album. It is a collection of collaborations, as Omar teams up with the likes of Stephen Bruton, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Darden Smith, Steve Califf and Papa Mali to co-write the tunes. Performing with Omar is a collection of artists that really howl, including the Double Trouble rhythm section, guitarists Jon Dee Graham, Chris Duarte and Malcolm Papa Mali Welbourn, Howlers drummer Terry Bozzio, and the rock solid bass-and-drums duo of George Reiff and George Rains. One of Omars strongest albums yet, and proof positive that he is back with a vengeance! Rock On Omar! You are The Boogieman!
Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
www.CountryInterviewsOnline.net at 2004-10-15
This is a great CD full of wonderful boogie-woogie blues music. It will make you think of the legendary Mr. Bo Diddley. Omar starts the album with a wonderful track full of exquisite sound with a funky beat on the Boogie Man. His next track is Bamboozled which is another great blues tune. I like the line: Ive been hood winked; Ive been `Bamboozled! The next tune explodes with electrifying sounds right from the introduction: I dont play nothing, but the Stone Cold Blues! White Crosses has a different beat with a religious prospective: I never could walk on water. Am I man enough to try? The tune deals with the good and the evil. The line got a devil on my left shoulder and an angel on my right... display very meaningful words!! Listen as Omars deep voice is showcase as he sings, ...Over my head, it sure feels good...Here I am `Drowning in Love with you. Excellent lyrics and beautiful love song! Moving on to a faster tempo with a wild and different sound is Shakin. The next tune really touched me; it is my favorite from the CD: ...Stranger by myself, never thought I could hold on to anything but pain. I never knew the answer was `Right There in the Rain. Next, you can hear what an excellent voice Omar has in Bad in a Good Way. Listen to those guitar riffs!!! More music with an enormous blues sound that is easy to the ears is Thats Just My Life. Mississippi Mud is the hard-to-come-back-home song. ...Protectoral son returns... it is hard to come back after the bridges, I have burned. Omar ends this CD with a stunning tune in All the Love We Can Stand. ...There comes a time that you have to let go... This CD contains a wonderful collection of blues; it is a keeper!By: Kenita Vanderslicewww.CountryInterviewsOnline.net
Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
Has all the Best of Omars Style at 2004-11-03
This is my favorite release by Omar and The Howlers since Wall of Pride or Hard Times In the Land of Plenty. It rocks. I have all of his albums (that Im aware of) and I like this one much better than his last few releases. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical, but this is the album Ive been waiting for from Omar and The Howlers. I got hooked quite awhile back on his rocking style and this album delivers that in spades. Great guitar hooks and good rockin vocals. It takes great songs and great playing to get the magic this band is capable of and thats what you have on this album.
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Hard Times in the Land of Plenty
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Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
Raw Texas Blues at 2005-11-16
Bought this CD on cassette tape when it originally released.Im happy to see its now on CD. Nice original songwriting with coarse, butt kicking delivery. Fans of SRV would probably like this. Give it a listen.
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Wall of Pride
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Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
OMAR AND THE HOWLERS BEST ALBUM!!! at 2006-03-08
This could be a greatest hits album by Omar and the Howlers. Its that good!!! Recognized as a first rate blues band, its one of my top rock albums. WALL OF PRIDE is my personal favorite album by Omar and the Howlers and every song on it is outstanding with great sound quality. Put it on and crank it up!!! I have been an Omar and the Howlers fan since they started. While I like every song on the album, Wall Of Pride, Rattlesnake Shake, Rock It While You Can, Down In Mississippi and Dimestore Hoo Doo are my favorites. Thats almost half the songs on the album. In addition, if you like the hard rocking side of Omar and the Howlers, dont miss out on Hard Times In The Land Of Plenty, Monkey Land and Boogie Man. All these albums have great songs start to finish and feature Omars best efforts. Omars two live albums, Live At Paradiso and Live At The Opera House are must have recordings as well. Omars unique (Wolfman Jack) voice fits his music perfectly and I really hope theres more new music to come in the future. The albums I mentioned above are worth every part of your hard earned money and it will add great music to your collection. Did I say it was GREAT!!!
Omar & the Howlers Album Review:
My favorite Omar and the Howlers Album at 2002-10-03
For me this is their most Rockin release. This album rocks the whole way through. This is Omar and The Howlers at the top of their game. The sound quality is excellent, too.
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