ROBERT LIGHTHOUSE: Drive-Thru Love

Robert Lighthouse

Drive-Thru Love

© 1997 Right on Rhythm (061432507048)

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He can deliver a solo performance, playing a stomp box, amplified harp and guitar that will astonish blues purists and even get a crowd up to dance. Add a rhythm section and Stratocaster and he is Robert Johnson meets Jimi Hendrix, pleasing rock and blue

notes

Il Blues Magazine
Robert Lighthouse - Drive Thru Love

This guy's got balls, I said to myself. And to be in the company of sacred monsters like Dr. Ross, Jimi Hendrix, Elmore James, Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson, on his first CD, he's got to have big ones. But, not satisfied with the collective tribute to the fathers of the blues, he spits out six hot pieces from the oven of his creative spirit. And I'll be damned, such "Blues" bread, I haven't eaten in a long time! And then when I read that 11 out of 12 songs were recorded live, I almost fainted. It seems impossible; its like he must have been preparing for years to record this CD. His guitar is powerful and hypnotic, and in the background, we hear unidentified people from City Blues, the harmonica, and every now and then a shout of anger in the microphone, which then melts into soft reassuring words of love. Enchanting romantic sounds from his guitar, together with such a clear, pure voice make up "She's The One I Love". This in contrast with the lively "Shake For Me" where the guitar and harmonica combine with unmentionable and obscene proposals to a big fat mama. Frankly, I have to say that a piece from Dr. Ross has always been missing in the past ... ...from the 'poor blues man faraway from home'. After hearing "Going To The River" and "Going Back South" I'm left breathless listening to the original "Drive-Through Love" - whether because of the narration which fills the clean breaks of the music, or because of the bloody harmonica that
accompanies the guitar, and cuts like an old-fashioned razor from the old barber shops.
The last four pieces are electrifying - only one done in the recording studio. Robert is accompanied by unknown musicians, all extremely high quality - particularly the three drummers: essential, precise and pumped just to the right level. In "Crossroads" you probably would expect to hear the typical sound slide, but instead you hardly hear it at all.

And it is followed by a torrid "Machine", sweating even through the speakers of my sound system, with so much change in tempo and a double finale. I won't talk about the disappointing "Riding Into the Sun", because I just can't keep all the emotion inside me after listening to "Voodoo Child". You hear people murmuring in the background, talking about their work and lives, and the man, who shares Johnson?s name extracts something from his soul. Something that doesn't appear to belong just to him. It's not the' spirit of the left-hander from Seattle that dances in front of our eyes and on the lips of Lighthouse - in those notes we hear all the blacks who have lived with the blues in their blood, those that have played it, those that have sung it, and 'those that no one will remember.

They are all here - in a song that lasts just a little over seven minutes. So brief that we can't just think about one human being without overlooking something, so long that we talk about everyone, so "blues" that we don't even lament the electric guitar, so strange when we remember that Robert is of European roots, having been born in Sweden. And so unique that we would like to be there as this man revives a profound part of the human soul.
David Grandi

HOHNER HARMONICA CO. EASY REEDING Spring 1998
DRIVE-THRU LOVE
Robert Lighthouse
Robert Lighthouse is an incredible new guy in the blues arena. He's from Sweden, but sounds like he's from Mississippi as he plays Delta blues like the great masters. In his first CD, Drive-Thru Love, Lighthouse's vocals, guitar and harmonica playing even stops Barbara, Hohner's mail room delivery person at the water fountain with a "Whose that guy? He's great." Now that's appeal! The title cut, written by Lighthouse, is one of the best cuts on the CD and like the CD's other four songs written by Lighthouse, it doesn't for a minute lose the Delta blues feeling and sound found on the rest of the cuts written by Ross, Hendrix, James, Dixon and Johnson. Lighthouse is performing throughout the Washington, D.C. area and all but one of the cuts on Drive-Thru Love were recorded live at City Blues and Fat Tuesdays in D.C. In media reviews. Lighthouse is being compared with Dr. Ross. If this guy keeps going and becomes media savvy, there's no stopping him.

Blues & Rhythm the Gospel Truth March 1998
ROBERT LIGHTHOUSE
Drive-Thru Love
In my review of The Blues You Would Just Hate To Lose - Volume One (ROROOI), I enthused about Robert Lighthouse, whose 'animated vocals, wild country harp and rhythmic guitar playing? reminded me so much of the great Dr Ross. I also said that Wayne Kahn, of Right On Rhythm, was preparing to release a solo CD by Lighthouse. Well, here it is, and 'Drive-Thru Love? confirms that Lighthouse is a supremely talented blues man whose mercurial talents could and should bring both himself and Right On Rhythm to the attention of a wider blues audience.

As with the previous two releases on this label, the majority of the tracks were recorded live (at City Blues and Fat Tuesdays in Washington DC), only one track, 'Riding Into The Sun?, being a studio cut. Once again the specter of Dr Ross pervades this set as Lighthouse reprises ?Going Back South? from the aforementioned ?The Blues.....Volume One? this time giving it a more insistent boogie beat laced with blasts of raw country harp. The Dr?s ?Going To The River? features some great picking and evocative slide, underpinned by an hypnotic bass line, and even Willie Dixon?s ?Shake For Me? gets the Dr treatment with Lighthouse?s percussive harp framing his relaxed but insistent vocals. Elmore James? Talk To Me Baby? is turned into a slow-rocking country blues, laced with the sweetest slide, the perennial ?Crossroads? is taken deep into the gutter, the archaic feel accentuated by Nick Rugieri?s almost primitive drumming, and Hendrix?s ?Voodoo Child? becomes a haunting, almost erotic, country blues replete with spine chilling slide.

The slow grind of 'Drive Thru Love?, with its wailing harp and elemental guitar, evokes memories of both vintage Hooker and Tommy McClennan, only the lyrics belonging in the nineties, while the brooding 'Machine?, with its rudimentary drumming and deep rolling piano, is a raw primordial blues that at times had me thinking that this was how Jimi Hendrix and/ or The Kinks (circa 'You Really Got Me?) would have sounded had they been born thirty years earlier.

Robert Lighthouse is a real talent, both as a performer and songwriter, and his music will have instant appeal to all lovers of acoustic and down-home blues.
Mick Rainsford

Blues Scene Quarterly Winter 2000
Drive-Thru Love

Roots. This cat has 'em and they're located in...Sweden! The fact that this nearly-a-one-man-band guitar/harmonica player was not even born on this continent makes one wonder exactly how far the blues spirit will fly to find an acceptable host. Through the twelve soulful tracks on this disc, Lighthouse shows repeatedly that you don't need to be American, black, disenfranchised or whatever to grind out real, stirring blue matter. His deep voice, shuffling guitar style (an amplified acoustic) and chippy harp playing just plain work. This kind of back porch, low-rent singularity was the norm at one time and can probably still be found down some rain damaged dirt line in rural Mississippi. Right On Rhythm Records should be praised for getting this player some recognition. Half the songs are self penned gems and the covers, of artists as disparate as Jimi Hendrix (Voodoo Child), Isaiah Ross and Robert Johnson, give you some of idea of the range he wanders. Late night drinking music for the somber set.
JM

DC Blues Society January 1998
Robert Lighthouse has developed into an intriguing interpreter of down-home blues, notable for
his one-man band interpretations as well as with his electric trio. The Swedish native is a rhythmically dynamic player and a better than average vocalist who avoids the excesses of many other blue-eyed blues interpreters. Robert's debut album, Drive-Thru Love (Right on Rhythm) consists mostly of Robert live at City Blues. Robert's best performances capture the insistent, rhythmic approach characteristic of such Mississippi blues artists as John Lee Hooker and Tommy McLennan.

The title track displays this as it suggests the insistent rhythmic feel of Hooker's early recordings. Lighthouse's harp playing throughout shows the inspiration of the late one-man band. Dr. Ross, and a couple of Ross' songs are present. Whatever his influences, Robert puts his own stamp on the performances here. Hendrix's Voodoo Chile is recast as a Muddy.Waters styled country blues, while Lighthouse uses a mid-tempo country boogie accompaniment on Elmore James' Talk to My Baby, and eschews the Dust My Broom riffs usually heard on this song. Lighthouse's numbers with band accompaniment include.

The Machine, his protest about the alienating aspects of modern life, and Lost and Found, that finds him in a Hendrix-inspired blues-rock vein. While not an audiophile recording, the location recordings are acceptable and captures the flavor of Robert's engaging live performances quite successfully.

reviews

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  • author: A.M.K.

    Great performance with a rough approach. Skillfully minimized orchestral arangement and a maximized groove. "Why this?" one might wonder. Well all I can say is "...if You gotta ask you´d probably never understand...". Take a listen to this and You wont bother to ask no more, it will get to You. Best regards. AMK

  • Fantastic.
    author: Gordon

    Fantastic CD, I look forward to seeing Robert live in DC. Also, I can't wait until he releases another collection of Blues.

  • i am a school teacher and i luv the blues
    author: Ferrall Bordelo

    I luv this CD on the blues and i luv the guitar music and the homonica especiall in his songs and i believe the homonica is one of the best sounds there are. Blues is real drinking music. Ferrall Bordelon

  • Terrific recording of a terrific artist.
    author: Pat Moseley

    This CD is a great representation of Lighthouse's capabilities. He's best live, but because this CD has mostly live recordings, you get the best impression. This musician is first and foremost a guitar player, in my view. The tracks on this CD that show him off the best are the ones that have him proving what he learned from the old masters.

  • great blues cd
    author: paddlepack

    this is one of the best blues cds i own.

  • Music Perfect
    author: Liz Blood

    With Robert Lighthouse, listening once again becomes a wonderful experience, a rare thing these days. Perfect music. Not a note against the soul. There's nothing this cd can't do for you, but most importantly, it's friendly. And I'll bet all your favourite albums are your best friends.

  • Great mix
    author: Denise

    This is a wonderful compilation of Robert's music! I highly recommend.

  • Blues with a feeling
    author: Duncan

    Top quality CD--I lost the first one and had to buy another. If you like acoustic blues, listen to Going to the River. I wish he would make a second CD!

  • Worthy of continuous play...
    author: Chas

    Robert blessed us with several appearances a few years ago in Easton, PA, including the role of lead guitarist with the Shrimp City Slim Band from Charleston, SC. Whether as an accompanist or a solo performer, he has got the chops. After sitting idle on my shelf for a while, I dusted this gem off and assure you, it's worthy of continuous play. He is as accomplished on the harp as he is on slide guitar, but it's his voice which will linger with you...haunting, sad, soulful and sincere. Hey Robert...come back for another visit! Chas www.ChasHarp.com (another CD Baby contributor)

  • yeah
    author: mark

    Seen the man in Charleston SC and wish he would get back south soon. I still love the only, hint, hint, cd he's put out and wish to enjoy him in the Asheville area soon. Robert, you got something to share so share it with folks outside the beltway and in the other belt...bible that is. The Grey Eagle would be a great place...come on down and get some southern hospitality.

  • He da Man!
    author: Crusty

    Saw Robert several times while working the door at the Full Moon Saloon in Baltimore back in the 90's. The guy has more soul and feel in his style than all the "blooz nazis" in this town! It just feels so natural when he does it. He's the REAL DEAL!

  • Wow!
    author: Andrew

    I have known Robert from my neighborhood in Cleveland Park for years but I never knew how talented he really was. This CD is great! Keep it up, Robert!

  • countless nights in city blues' living-room ..... this dude makes you live
    author: fellow cro

    countless nights at city blues' living-room ..... this dude lets you feel what creating music is all about! keep on rockin' strong, Robert!!

  • what these sounds create in your mind, the performance completes 10-fold
    author: d.c.groupie

    what these sounds create in your mind, the performance completes 10-fold --

  • holy crap!
    author: Matthew Jurick

    okay so I'm not a blues fan. . .but i am now, quite easily one of the greatest cds ever recorded. My mom gave this to me randomly and that will be the last time it changes hands cause I wouldn't trust it with anyone else. I would tell you about the music but its much better to let you experience it for yourself.

  • Fine lives mostly location recordings
    author: Ron Weinstock

    I wrote the review from the DC Blues Calendar, the D.C. Blues Society's newsletter, so no point to add anything. Even better than listening to this disc I am lucky to hbe able top hear Robert roughly on a monthly basis.

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