Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan - On The Jimmy Reed Highway (2007)

Some tribute projects to earlier greats seek to modernize and update their music. This project, co-led by singer Omar Kent Dykes and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, instead focuses on revitalizing the music of Jimmy Reed in traditional settings. While not closely copying the original recordings, these new renditions are very much "in the tradition." With his deep and low voice, Dykes does justice to the lyrics and feelings in the music; Vaughan has plenty of fine guitar solos; and the guest spots of singer Lou Ann Barton and either Kim Wilson, James Cotton, Gary Primich, or Delbert McClinton on harmonica add to both the variety and the power of the music. As with the best tribute projects, this one will send listeners back to Jimmy Reed's original records while also standing by itself as a heartfelt and relevant homage to the great bluesman.