Omar learned to play the guitar when he was a young boy of twelve Since then on, guitar has been the most important thing in his life With the guitar and the blues on his back, little by little and step by step he has built up a rich, intense and fruitful career The songs selected for these two CDs represent a very important part of his life, as in some way they include a tribute to some of his most admired heroes, the influences they have given him, but also his personal dreams and his experiences, which all are very special for him This 30 songs collection includes a little bit of everything, but always with a blues stamp which is always present in his music You will find songs of different years, times and albums, as the thirty songs included in Essential Collection range from Border Girl recorded in 1991, until Built For Comfort that comes from the album he recorded with Magic Slim in 2008 This is a wonderful indispensable OImar Dykes’ songs collection, where you will find him backed by great musicians and friends, such as guitar players Derek O’Brian or Jimmie Vaughan, Mark ‘Kaz’ Kazanoff on sax, the precious voice of Lou Ann Burton, Gary Primich on harmonica or the already mentioned Magic Slim among other great blues musicians And, remember, this is a double cd that will impress everyone who loves well done blues, performed with knowledge, sensitivity and good taste