I am flattered to be able to post some of the reviews that have been around in the media.
Robert's been featured on newspaper NWT and plays a clip for them.
Bluessen är universell för Robert Lighthouse
Video of Robert playing "Me and my son"
Read an article about Robert that appeared in Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter!
Read about Robert's Norwegian debut in Lillehammer.
ROBERT LIGHTHOUSE: Democracy Blvd
Own label - no issue number (45:14)
Democracy Blvd/ Greyhound/ The Machine/ Deep Down In The Mud/ Red Hot Mama/ She's The One I Love/ Starlight Express/ Stuck In The Mud/ African Blues/ Lost & Found/ Sitting By Water/ Me & My Son/ Blevins Blues
Originally from Sweden but a long-time fixture on the Washington DC blues scene, singer and guitarist Robert Lighthouse has been lauded in these pages before. This is the follow-up to 2007's ''Deep Down In The Mud', and straight off, let me state this is less solidly blues-focussed than that predecessor. There is a big production sound that imparts a southern rock feel to the hard-hitting (both lyrically and musically) opener, whilst the remake of the track 'Deep Down In The Mud' recalls Bob Dylan's electric work of the mid-seventies. On the blues side, Elmore James' 'Red Hot Mama' is obviously a favourite of Robert's and this version sports some wonderful raw-toned blues-harp and big sounding guitar, both by Robert, over a cooking rhythm section and some fine piano from producer/ engineer Kevin McKendree (whose name some may recognise from recordings with the likes of Taildragger, Tad Robinson, Robert Ward, Tinsley Ellis and many others; he is currently Delbert McClinton's band-leader). The dirty harp and raw guitar come out again for the unmistakably low-down sounds of 'Stuck In The Mud' and 'Me & My Son', both of which also feature some lovely socking drumming (from Kenneth Blevins and Pat O'Connor respectively), whilst 'African Blues' is a credible, just short of two minutes long, attempt at the Malian 'desert-blues' sound. 'Lost & Found' has some subtle Jimi Hendrix allusions, whilst a couple of other numbers are more 'folk-blues' styled, and the solo closer is a fine Delta blues feature.
Although Robert does not sound anything like him, Delbert McClinton may actually be quite a relevant reference point, certainly for some of the tracks on this album. Robert has a strong southern feel, is firmly blues-inflected but also strongly influenced by rock and soul and with a tinge of country music in places, and whilst the straight blues numbers will certainly appeal to many readers, there are also items which could be popular on (relatively) mainstream radio stations. It takes a few plays to 'get it all', but do persevere - I find this one is definitely growing on me.
Norman Darwen from Blues&Rhythm Magazine
DistritoJazz
A true master of his craft, Robert Lighthouse, after the success harvested by his debut album "Drive-Thru Love", now gives us this little present inspired by the acoustic of the Delta blues, following the influences of Dr. Isaiah Ross, that is to say, combining guitar, harmonica and voice with very good taste.
Robert Lighthouse – “Rattlesnake Blues”
But Robert doesn't just stop at Ross or Robert Johnson, but at the same time pays tribute to people like RL. Burnside, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Magic Sam or Willie Dixon.
As you can see Robert Lighthouse stops in the Mississippi, although he andvances and moves up, geographically speaking, strolling around the Chicago school, that is, totally acoustic.
Robert Lighthouse - "Chief Ike's Mambo Room"
An appealing album, interpreted with taste, accuracy and sensitivity.
Vicente Zúmel
You can find the original version of this review of Deep Down in The Mud in Spanish for all those of you spaniards out there.
Blues Art Studio
Read this amazingly thorough feature called "Rober Lighthouse: Front and Cover" published at Blues Art Studio and written by master Larry Benicewicz.
It's difficult to find somebody with such a deep knowledge about blues and music general than Benicewicz.
Robert Lighthouse: Front and Center. Part I: The Early Years
Robert Lighthouse: Front and Center. Part II: A Little Respect
CD Baby
Professional and users reviews at CD Baby.
Plus, you can listen 2 mins of every song.
Deep Down in the Mud at CD Baby
Washington Post
Short article that appeared in the Washington Post by Mike Joyce.
More reviews to come!
Stay tuned!
