Review: Omar & The Howlers – It Came From The Swamp
Omar & The Howlers – It Came From The Swamp
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Big Guitar Music
Release: 2025
Text: Bert van Kessel
Kent “Omar”Dykes was born and raised In Mississippi and he has the swamp running through his veins. He took his musical buddies to Austin in the early eighties where they formed Omar And The Howlers; they broke worldwide with their 1987 album ‘Hard Times In The Land Of Plenty’, showcasing some fiery bayou boogie electric guitar and his characteristic raspy vocals.
In 2017 Omar was forced to retire from performing due to a serious muscular illness eating away at his arms, but 2023 saw his return to the studio for ‘What’s Buggin’ You’. Now he returns with a career overview. He delved into his archive and culled eleven tracks from previous albums and rounded out this very listenable album with two classic tracks from his fellow swampmaster John Fogerty, Born On The Bayou and Green River, plus a rocking version of Mountain’s Mississippi Queen.
The opener Mississippi Hoo Doo Man sure catches the ear; this prize-winning hit song from the ‘Hard Times’ album features some exceptionally convincing gruffy vocals that will make Fogerty jealous. Another oldie is the sinister Pushing Fire with a menacing violin and Omar excelling on harmonica. Then there is Creedence! Born On The Bayou was recorded in Amsterdam in 1992 and the electric guitar is on fire.
Party Girl is happy and uptempo with a thumping bassline; it is followed by a traditional rocker that Omar is so fond of: Come On Pretty Baby brings the roof down. Although the characteristc hard rock riff is still there the Howlers manage to turn Mississippi Queen Into a swampy Southern blues. The second Creedence cover Green River sounds gruffer and grittier than ever.
Then via a sizling live version of fan favourite Dimestore Hoo Doo we are gradually heading toward a fitting closing track, the excellent, swampy Gator Man which may well be a classic in the making. It was culled from his 2023 come-back album.
This fine compilation offers a sublime survey of four decades of Omar’s signature swamp music. And I can imagine John Fogerty nodding in approval.
Tracks:
01. Mississippi Hoo Doo Man
02. Pushin’ Fire
03. Born on the Bayou
04. Party Girl
05. Come On, Pretty Baby
06. Bad Seed
07. Mississippi Queen
08. When Sugar Cane Was King
09. Green River
10. Stone Cold Blues
11. Dancing In The Canebrake
12. Sugar Ditch
13. Dimestore Hoo Doo Live
14. Gator Man
Website: http://www.omarandthehowlers.com/