Austin, besides being the Texas state capital, is home to much of the best in American roots music. Since the 1970s, ballsy blues players, renegade country pickers, and raw-voiced rockers have mixed & matched their musical styles in Austin’s thriving club scene. And that’s where Kent “Omar” Dykes holds court too. And it’s also where he’s recorded his latest Ruf album, Boogie Man, working with some of his adopted hometown’s most famous songwriters and musicians.
He hails from McComb, Miss., a town with the curious distinction of being home turf for both Bo Diddley and Britney Spears. It’s well established that Omar started playing guitar at seven, took to hanging out in edge-of-town juke joints at 12, joined his first band at 13 – the next youngest player being 50 – and played the sort of music where somebody bustin’ a cap at somebody else was just added percussion.
He was still Kent Dykes in those days, but by the time he hit 20 he had hooked up with a crazy-assed party band, called the Howlers, who specialized in playing frat parties. Looking back, he says, “We had two saxophone players on baritone and tenor who wore Henry Kissinger masks. They were called the Kissinger brothers. Not on every song, mind you. Sometimes it was Dolly Parton playing saxophone. Or Cher. And we had these cardboard cutouts from record stores for skits.” They even did fake ads for Sunshine Collard Greens and Howlers’ Fried Chicken – “for that old-fashioned taste that tastes just like Grandma.”
It was a crazy time, but a helluva lot of fun too, with the rough & tumble Howlers playing R&B, R&R and even the occasional polka and western swing tune. A decade earlier and 250 miles north of McComb, Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn had learned their chops exactly the same way as members of the Memphis party band the Mar-Keys.
But Kent Dykes mostly just wanted to play blues. And by then the other Howlers had taken to calling him “Omar Overtone” because he tended to let his guitar feed back on stage while he dropped to the floor to spin on his back in a spontaneous, Big & Tall Store take on break-dancing. As he says, those performances were “sometimes fueled by, a-hmm, alcohol.”
By 1976, the Howlers decided they were ready to bust a big move and relocate to Austin, where such clubs as the Soap Creek Saloon, the Broken Spoke, the Armadillo World Headquarters and Antone’s had created a haven for renegade music. “We worked out of Austin for about a year,” Omar says, “but a lot of the guys decided they weren’t cut out to play music full-time for the rest of their lives. They headed back to Mississippi and Arkansas, and I decided to keep the name. Nobody objected.” And as Dykes says, Omar & the Howlers works better than Kent & the Howlers. Of such decisions are careers made.
Fronting a new lineup, Dykes honed a band capable of the sort of raw, rowdy, rambunctious blues that made Howlin’ Wolf and Hound Dog Taylor legends and inspired Don Van Vliet to become Captain Beefheart.
By then the Fabulous Thunderbirds were also getting started in Austin and T-Bird member Jimmie Vaughan’s kid brother, Stevie Ray, had formed Triple Threat with Lou Ann Barton, future Double Trouble-r Chris Layton and Jackie Newhouse (LeRoi Brothers). The T-Birds were the first to record, cutting their debut in 1979, but Omar wasn’t far behind with Big Leg Beat in 1980. His second, I Told You So, in 1984 made them the big men on the block – or at least along Austin’s famed Sixth Street – earning them consecutive Austin band-of-the-year awards in 1985-1986.
The following year Omar signed with Columbia Records and cut Hard Times in the Land of Plenty (1987), which sold in excess 500,000 copies, and Wall of Pride (1988). Since then there have been another dozen albums, all of them featuring Omar’s guitar and baritone voice, which reviewers describe as a cross between Howlin’ Wolf in his prime and the warning growl of a large primate. Hyperbole aside, the big man’s talents have earned an international following, prestigious awards and induction into the Texas musicians’ Hall of Fame.
For Boogie Man, his newest release on the Ruf label, Omar has brought in some of the songwriter friends he’s made in the 27 years since he left Mississippi for Texas. Ten of the 11 tracks on the 55-minute disc are collaborations. “Co-writing at this point in my life is a lot of fun. To me it’s like free songs. These are ones that I wouldn’t have had the patience to sit down and write on my own. But when you get with friends and drink coffee, tell jokes and stories, and then write something, it always turns out to be something different than what you might have done on your own.”
Plus it’s not exactly heavy lifting to work with such Texas icons as Ray Wyle Hubbard, Darden Smith, Alejandro Escovedo and Stephen Bruton. “Some of them I hadn’t seen for a while,” Omar says, “because like me they’re in bands and on the road. So when we got together, we end up reminiscing a lot. For instance, I’ve known Ray Wyle off and on for 20 years – acquaintances for a long time but pretty good friends now. In the old days, he was busy drinking and partying on his own, and I had my own party going on too.”
Besides the songwriting collaborators, Omar also brought some friends into the recording studio, including guitarists Chris Duarte and Jon Dee Graham (True Believers), Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble, George Rains (Sir Douglas Quintet and house drummer on scores of Antone’s label releases) and his frequent running-mates Terry Bozzio (Missing Persons, Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa) and Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne.
About the recording process, Omar says, “I played out for seven and a half months, with only a few days off, and I’d spend those cutting in the studio. I would have liked to take the time off to relax, but it was a lot of satisfaction writing and recording with my friends too. This was an album I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time.”
As for future plans, Omar says he’ll be back on the road soon. “I still do 150-160 shows a year, and with travel days that adds up to a lot of time away from home. It always seems like we’re on a plane headed somewhere.” Omar is touring currently with bassist Barry Bihm and drummer Jon Hahn.
Or as he sums things up in “That’s Just My Life”:
It’s a long way from Pittsburgh down to Knoxville, Tenn.,
But I’m in it for the long haul, and that’s all right with me.
Night-time keeps me in the roadhouse, daylight’s burning up the miles,
The blacktop goes forever, I was born a highway child.
Credit http://www.omarandthehowlers.com/home.html and Copyright to the parties where in the weblink-Bermont/follower of the Howlers
See Also: http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Omar+and+The+Howlers
Drowning In Love
Omar & The Howlers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She ain't got a man but she got some children
And the baby daddy she wish she could kill him
Because shit he ain't giving
And the time he ain't spending With his own seeds and she just wants to be free
She got places she wants to go places she wants to see
And she got needs and she need that d
Yeah she needs that d and she needs the whole thing
So give her what she wants man can't a girl dream
Give her what she needs so after she put the kids to sleep
We had us a drink I smoked a little weed
Turn off the tv her eyes is telling me
But somethings telling me that we ain't going to sleep
And I got the munchies and she looking so sweet
And the first rounds on me I'm a make her fall in love with this dick
She ain't never found a love like this yet So I'm a put it on yeah real thick
You can already tell she in love with this shit I'm a make her fall in love with this dick
She ain't never found a love like this yet So I'm a put it on yeah real thick
You can already tell she in love with this shit
It's so amazing terrific this wave is way different
Once you taste this you'll crave this addiction
Drive you crazy and ballistic You got to get yo fix in
So what's your real intentions It's so hard not to catch feelings
So now she in the deep end telling me what she missing
She needs someone to listen to massage and to kiss
It But pussy ain't the only thing that she giving
She wants someone that a share they vision
And a better way of life and living And a ride or die to get it
And up lift her spirits
And keep her lifted Ain't got no time for no bullshit and
We both can't afford it You know i'm not on no little boy shit
I know I got you moist yeah
We just laughing talking eating oysters And now you want some more yeah
Oh yeah oh yeah I know I got you open
I'm a make her fall in love with this dick She ain't never found a love like this yet
So i'm a put it on yeah real thick You can already tell she in love with this shit
I'm a make her fall in love with this dick She ain't never found a love like this yet
So i'm a put it on yeah real thick You can already tell she in love with this shit
I'm a make her fall in love yeah So i'm a put it on yeah yeah
The lyrics to Omar & The Howlers' song "Drowning In Love" describe a woman who considers herself independent and spends money habitually. However, she has children with a man who doesn't support them and she wishes he were out of the picture. She yearns for freedom, to travel and to explore new things, but she also has needs that she wants fulfilled. She craves attention and intimacy, someone to listen to her and to lift her spirits. The singer offers himself to be that person, making her feel loved in a way she never has before, using sexually suggestive language to describe the act.
The song seems to present a complex picture of modern relationships, where women may be self-sufficient yet still need validation and support from a partner, especially when it comes to raising children. The lyrics also highlight the importance of communication and having shared goals in a relationship. However, with its explicit lyrics and focus on male pleasure, the song can also be seen as perpetuating gender stereotypes and objectifying women.
Line by Line Meaning
She say she independent and got a habit for spending
She claims to be self-sufficient and likes to spend her money
She ain't got a man but she got some children
She is a single mother
And the baby daddy she wish she could kill him
She hates her ex-partner for neglecting their children and wishes him dead
Because shit he ain't giving
He is not providing financial support to his children
And the time he ain't spending With his own seeds and she just wants to be free
He is not spending quality time with his children and she wants to be free from her responsibilities
She got places she wants to go places she wants to see
She has travel ambitions
And she got needs and she need that d
She has sexual needs
Yeah she needs that d and she needs the whole thing
She wants sexual satisfaction that includes the entire experience
She needs the whole world at her knees
She wants to be in charge and dominant
So give her what she wants man can't a girl dream
She wants to fulfill her desires and have her dreams come true
Give her what she needs so after she put the kids to sleep
She wants sexual pleasure after she has fulfilled her parental duties
We had us a drink I smoked a little weed
They had a drink and smoked marijuana
Turn off the tv her eyes is telling me
She is expressing interest through eye contact
But somethings telling me that we ain't going to sleep
They are going to engage in sexual activity
And I got the munchies and she looking so sweet
He is hungry and finds her attractive
And the first rounds on me I'm a make her fall in love with this dick
He is going to give her great sexual pleasure and make her want more
She ain't never found a love like this yet So I'm a put it on yeah real thick
He believes he is going to give her the best sexual experience of her life
You can already tell she in love with this shit
She is enjoying the experience and seems to be falling for him
It's so amazing terrific this wave is way different
The sexual experience is mind-blowing and different than anything she has had before
Once you taste this you'll crave this addiction
The experience is addictive and she will keep wanting more
Drive you crazy and ballistic You got to get yo fix in
The pleasure is so intense that it is crazily addictive and she wants more
So what's your real intentions It's so hard not to catch feelings
He is asking about her true intentions and it is hard not to develop romantic feelings during such a pleasure-filled time
So now she in the deep end telling me what she missing
She is opening up and expressing her emotional needs
She needs someone to listen to massage and to kiss
She needs someone to listen to her, provide physical touch, and emotional support
But pussy ain't the only thing that she giving
She is not only giving him sexual pleasure but also emotional intimacy
She wants someone that a share they vision
She is looking for a partner who shares her values and goals
And a better way of life and living And a ride or die to get it
She wants to improve her life and wants a partner to do it with her and support her every step
And up lift her spirits And keep her lifted Ain't got no time for no bullshit and
She wants a partner who uplifts her spirits and brings positivity, and does not have time for drama
We both can't afford it You know i'm not on no little boy shit
They both cannot afford any negativity or drama, and he assures her that he is mature enough to handle it
I know I got you moist yeah
He is aware that he has aroused her sexually
We just laughing talking eating oysters And now you want some more yeah
They are sharing a good time together and he knows she wants more sex
Oh yeah oh yeah I know I got you open
He knows that he has gained her trust and interest
I'm a make her fall in love with this dick
He is confident that his sexual performance will make her fall in love with him
So i'm a put it on yeah real thick
He will make sure to give her maximum pleasure
You can already tell she in love with this shit
She is already developing feelings for him and enjoys the sexual experience
I'm a make her fall in love yeah So i'm a put it on yeah yeah
He is confident he will make her fall in love and satisfy her sexual needs
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Omar Douthard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind