Play 90 second soundbite of 'Hush Hush' @ 'CD quality'
With plenty of Reed biggies to enjoy plus a few 'extra' ditties along the way, 'On The Jimmy Reed Highway' is just what you'd expect it to be; pained vocals cryin' out hurtin' lyrics, bright (and for Reed's time), expansive electric guitars, wailin' harmonica and sympathetic rather than bold instrumental support.
Retaining that 'early' blues rawness that typifies Reed's recordings, Dykes and Vaughan (and a few friends) make a pretty decent fist of his works. I particularly like the fact that the guys haven't tried to modernise Reed's songs too much; they generally keep it all in the spirit of the (Reed) time with the chuggin' rhythm section simply laying the backdrop for Dykes to moan and groan out his rasping vocals alongside Vaughan's Reed-esque guitar work - the heartbreak, misery and worry are there for all to hear. The sparseness of the recording is pretty true to type and does justice to the writing and playing of Jimmy Reed and his long-time collaborator Eddie Taylor.
'On The Jimmy Reed Highway' is a fascinating and deferential look back at the great man's work - it doesn't take liberties and it doesn't gloss over the poignancy of the lyrics or the mood. Some Reed purists may take exception to these re-workings but I think there'll be just as many Reed virgins that'll find Jimmy Reed through 'On The Jimmy Reed Highway' by Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan.
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