European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 6, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Singer guitarist Omar of the Austin based blues Rock band Omar and the howlers party music ail the Way. Down in Mississippi with Omar and the howlers Story and photo by Anita Gosch staff or Lief if the he s one thing Omar can stand it s commercial the Load Singer and guitarist or to Austin based blues Rock band Omar and she howlers won t me lion any names but to admits he s pretty sick and iwed o the synthesiser Sceno that Tome s 85 no Surprise Ona Dotin j Omar counts among Tus influences such Btu Esmon As Jimmy Reed and Howlin Woll. Rockabilly Star Carl Perkins and bands Matec Radence Clearwater revival Habe Atles and the rolling stones make that Early Bea lies and Early stones. Omar has even shared Itte Slage with such luminaries As Rock w Joller to Diddier. All that translates in Omar s Case into Bud Rowdy rib and Bodgie Flavoured Rock n Roll thai sounds Best in a crowded smoke filled Beer soaked bar. Just Tho kind of place Omar says he slatted playing in More than 20 years ago. He still plays in those kinds of places occasionally despite his Rise to prominence two years ago during the Austin blues Rock Boom Bui Omar.-. Does l mind Well play anywhere to says clubs concert Halls outdoor feels Well play at a wedding or a bar Mitzvah if. Somebody s got enough money.". He rave phoney that the cps would Bein the icons the Bury. Bearded 37year-old Speaks wih a husky Wal Manjack Typo voice in what he Calls a Mississippi drawl Wilh a1 Texas twang " he began playing guitar As a youngster in Mccomb miss., also the Hometown of diddly. I was i2or s3, got. A Guilar Tor Christmas. Then Star led playing right Oil Iho Bat to says. I went to Mph clubs Star cd slur main and Flangin Oul wih people thai played could t play but i was still in bands. I picked in up real Quick actually t guess i was just intrigued by it you know cause i be never Pui i Down since Omar moved to aus in Texas in 1976 and joined the blues movement that developed there Wilh such acts As the fabulous thunderbird and guitarist Slovie Ray Vaughn for the next 10 years he toured Iho United states almost constantly to says and released iwo albums on Iho Independent record Label aus or records. When the Austin music scene broke nationally Omar caught the atle lion of a Rotrosen Lalive of Columbia records the Resi ill was Tho album hard times in the Landon plenty of social and. Political commentaries about the untied states. A lol i kid. Omar s second Columbia album released earlier this year is a reflection of his own me. The title track is about his ancestors he says and he tune bad seed is about his personal downfalls and bad Tho album also a Blains a remake of the animals to gotta got Oit lol this place. A rendition of Jimmy Reed s Domi in Mississippi the Boonying Rattlesnake Shako and to re Yahni and luos inflected King s Ransom though Omar and rollicking bar hand style 61 Rock n1 loll Rosl certainly is parly music All Iho Way he s no Fungor the Par Iyer to used so be a slopped being Iho bad seed he says to once was about four years ago when to Cut Down on his drinking i used to gel real drunk and Niin the shows and pass out at people and want to fight and ," he says so i just figured i Bailor by to do something about to you know. Can t go. On like thai your whole life Rick Astley big voice Little passion by Deewee Arrington Doke Stalf writer in pop 5ncitr Rick Ashley ,thursday was a Pink a Al loas.1 rial s vital a Hind Wolten sign Hung backstage Al Frankfurt s Allcy completed a two night land there thursday elsewhere n Frankm thursday was cold Rainy and miserable. Ii was come orig to know thai in one Small bastion of the City someone was having a Pink Day even in it was Ashley. Iho freckled British crooner known a5. 1ho hello Man with the big big voice in Case you Havon l tuned in to a top 40 station since the Winter of 1937 88, Ashley s is Dic deep. Muscular Volo behind such romantic hits As Vever Gonna ii a you up together Foi Cvet to Ever you veed somebody of would take a Strong Strong Man and the current she wants to dance with me visually however. Ashley is More Archie and sevis than George Michael sort of a musical or Sale sex you m0h say who of less to he a of Preston arid Alfo Lescell daughters no Moro cause Lor alarm than a worn out lulled toy his shown Fra a url a virtual Rel Parade of Astley tunes Boot cd considerably Isom Iho video technology of Tina Turner s private dancer Lour in the mid 1980s like Tina Astley would disappear from the Slago no on on slag enclosure then a video screen suddenly would Light Itilio action displaying Astley supposedly conducting some kind of Olf slag business in the concealed enclave picking out a guitar playing basketball and baseball swinging from a High wire the on slag quarters also served other unctions a dressing room for Asli by to make his five or so costume changes and another stage surface Lor him to perform atop. During his rendition of Elvis Presley s when i fall in love As Ley brought Oul a chair to Sil in on this High stage. For she wants to dance with to he. Used lha upstairs stage As a launching pad for a few dance stops the Multi level sol also served effectively As a bands Surj for Ashley s accomplished eight piece backup band and three singers. Costume Wise Astley stuck primarily to Pale jackets baggy pants and mock turtlenecks daring to strike a bolder note Ai one Point with a Navy and White polka British pop crooner kick Astley. Dolveal As Ashley s show owes a technical Debl to the 1980s, the ghosts of 1960s icons Frankie Avalon Dion Bobby Rydell and Cliff Richard heavily influence his personal Lyie from his Ronald Flagan Pompadour to to would look pit Fly darned Good on a Black and Whito to and remember those great couples of the Early 1960s, Ari Reilo Funicello and Avalon Sand a Deo and Bobby Darin Astley s managers Are missing Tho Boal i iheydoh1 pair their protege lip with american teen Queen Debbie Gibson Lor some squeaky clean . The real question is is Ashley talented unquestionably,.he . To s lacking however m the personality and passion departments the big big voice masks a real feeling in his performance. Like banana Rama another successful act handled by Ashley s managers there s a step Ford wife Quality about the Chesnul hatred Singer All Tho Nghil moves Are there the carefully cultivated Imago is in place the songs Are Catchy and singable but the Imal product is curiously soulless kind of like Pink Days backstage at ins \ Astley show wharf apparently Iho Pink referred Only to the color of Iho guest passes handed out that evening stuck to 1hu Oul Sido of visitors clothing Iho togs color had nothing Loti Wilh the Way the wearer or to giver fell. Monday March 6. 1969 the stars and stripes Page 17
