Given that Omar Dykes can approximate the primal wail of the great Howlin’ Wolf, it’s past time Austin’s favorite Mississippi transplant took on Chester Burnett’s catalog. Runnin’ With the Wolf boasts blues classics like “Spoonful,” “Smokestack Lightning,” and the immortal “The Red Rooster,” all of which get faithful makeovers here. Dykes leavens the obvious choices with deeper cuts, rescuing “I’m Leavin’ You,” “Worried All the Time,” and “Riding in the Moonlight” from unjust obscurity, plus he smartly avoids the soundly beaten dead horses “Evil” and “I Ain’t Superstitious.” The LP conjures On the Jimmy Reed Highway, Dykes’ 2007 tribute, complete with self-penned title track homage. Where the Reed LP roped in enough guest stars to give clearance lawyers fits, Runnin’ With the Wolf keeps the spotlight firmly on Dykes and his rhythm section. All the better to keep the songs at center stage, where Dykes’ stinging guitar licks and burly growl remain most effective.

***

This article appears in August 30 • 2013.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.