Search - Omar & The Howlers :: Courts of Lulu

House rockin' blues, powerful performances.

08/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Omar.....where does one begin with this enigma of the modern blues?! Singer, guitarist, master of the mouth harp, songwriter, lyrical genius, powerful performer....all these only begin to describe this artist who has long been a favorite of the club scene, especially in Austin, TX.On "Courts of Lulu", named for a motel and juke joint outside of McComb, MS, one can hear the full range of Omar's style, from the rocking numbers such as "Do it for Daddy" and "False Faces" to the more folksy/traditional crawl sound of "Pushin' Fire." On this latter number, pay close attention to the staccato guitar work by Omar and the almost evil strain of his voice as he delivers the line "...if it ain't the gators it's the boogie man." This is what the blues is all about!Listeners need to wait only for the next track to hear yet another side to Omar. "Booger Boy" is a very zydeco style boogie woogie number, demonstrating that Omar has a full command of his blues stylings, and the dimensions he goes to as both artist and performer.But let us not overlook the performers on this album, there are two incarnations of the Howlers featured; one with Bruce Jones on bass and Gene Brandon on drums, and the other with Spencer Starres playing the bass and Greg "Frosty" Smith on the skins. Each provide the necessary rhythm for the bluesman with very adept skill. Reese Wynans is also featured lending his talents on the organ on two tracks. For those of you who are familar with blues power trios, you may remember Wynans as the organist that was called in by Stevie Ray Vaughan when he wanted to add a new dimension to his sound. And let's not overlook the accordian work provided by Ponty Bone on a couple of tracks, adding that Louisiana/zydeco mystique to Omar's biting sound.All in all this is a well rounded, very enjoyable trip through Southern blues by someone who should be considered at the forefront of the modern blues scene. However, like all too many of the better artists of our day, Omar will never fit the west coast version of what a "recording artist" should be, and will often be overlooked in the mainstream of music. So don't let those pirates of entertainment cause you to overlook this diamond in the rough!Buy this album and hear and enjoy what the rough hewn, hardworking, artistic craftsmanship of the Southern blues sound is all about. And if you get a chance, catch Omar and the Howlers live, you won't regret it."