Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
No matter what we may think of the United States of America, politically at times exaggerated, we must surely concede that there is so much to learn from looking at the map of the continuous land mass and understanding its myths and history at times cross over, meld and merge to a point where the only option is to explore and witness the stories first hand, to go beyond that cross roads where the Devil collects souls whilst all Hell prays you continue on your journey.
That imagery captured in On The Jimmy Reed Highway was first heard in 2007 but never seemed to cross the line itself into the world of vinyl, and for that near travesty to be overcome, for Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughn to be honouring the legendary bluesman to finally have the opportunity to be heard in such a way is for the listener a sense of heavenly cool.
Now available in vinyl the depth of the music is one of serenaded groove and a positive endorsement of a man who urged his listeners to defy segregation and cross the “colour” line to hear him play.
With guest appearances from Kim Wilson, Miss Lou Ann Barton, James Cotton, Delbert McClinton, and Gary Clark Jr, Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughn refuse to hold back in their appreciation of the authority of the blues, and as tracks such Baby What You Want Me To Do, Big Boss Man, the expressive factor of Ah Shucks, Hush Your Mouth, I’ll Change My Style, You Made Me Laugh, and Hush Hush once more have life thrust diligently into them, so the worlds can once again understand just how important Jimmy Reed was to the progression of the genre.
A smashing reminder of the power of one man, one musician, and fully captured by two experts in the shape of Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughn. Available for the first time on vinyl, On The Jimmy Reed Highway is a concise and easily accessible album in which to take to the road and learn just how the blues was not just one man’s myths, but a story told by many in pursuit of confirming the status of humanity.
Ian D. Hall