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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Omar and the Howers - Too Much Is Not Enough - New Release Review

I just received a copy of Too Much Is Not Enough, the newest Omar and the Howlers release. Gary Primich is featured on 10 of the 12 tracks and the release is dedicated to his memory. In the liner notes, Omar apologizes for a second tribute to Jimmy Reed and then tells about the story about how and why. I'll tell you why. It's great music and it needs to be heard! The release opens with Too Much and it has the great Jimmy Reed lope and Primich harping away. On I Gotta Let You Go, Gary Clark Jr. joins the band and plays some hot slide work. Omar is in top form on vocals and Primich has perfect balance. On Honest I Do, Clark and Jay Moeller round out the band and Primich again plays some sweet harp. Omar sings this song like he owns it. I Ain't Got You is a bit stripped down and I really like it. The first time I heard this (embarrassingly enough) was by the Yardbirds but yes ...it's all about the journey. High And Lonesome is a slow Texas style blues with Omar grinds this track on vocal and guitar, Primich on harp, Barry Bihm on bass and Jon Hahn on drums. Roll In Rhumba is a cool instrumental with the band keeping it tight while Primich airs it out. Very cool!! Omar puts a little extra swing on Take Out Some Insurance. These guys are really together and Omar and Primrich keep the dialogue between vocals and harp. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town, another of the more slowly paced tracks, really gives Primich a chance to milk the harp for all it's worth. I'm Gonna Ruin You again with the stripped down band of Omar, Gary Clark Jr. (guitar and harp) and Jay Moeller deliver a straight up Chicago romp. Shame, Shame, Shame takes the pace up quite a bit a Primich again grabs the floor and delivers. You Don't Have To Go, an Elmore James style track, again featuring Clark Jr. on slide. This is a terrific ending for a very cool recording. If you like Jimmy Reed you're bound to like this release!
  “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! ”LIKE”
Sorry that I could not find a current (subject appropriate) video.

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