Music Style blues/rock

Musical Influences Muddy Waters/Jimi Hendrix/Dr. Ross

Instruments guitar/harmonica

Albums Drive-thru Love

Press Reviews IL BLUES MAGAZINE August 1998Robert Lighthouse - Drive Thru LoveThis 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 tobelong just to him. It's not the' spirit of the left-hander from Seattle that dances in front of oureyes and on the lips of Lighthouse - in those notes we hear all the blacks who have lived withthe blues in their blood, those that have played it, those that have sung it, and 'those that no onewill remember. They are all here - in a song that lasts just a little over seven minutes. So briefthat we can't just think about one human being without overlooking something, so long that wetalk about everyone, so "blues" that we don't even lament the electric guitar, so strange when weremember that Robert is of European roots, having been born in Switzerland. And so uniquethat we would like to be there as this man revives a profound part of the human soul.David GrandiBALTIMORE BLUES SOCIETY - BLUES RAGROBERT LIGHTHOUSEDrive-Thru LoveRight on Rhythm 003This is a disc that will take you on a journey. You start on a back porch somewhere in theDelta, proceed to the railyard, hobo-ing your way to the big city, where you end up next door to Electric Ladyland. Robert Lighthouse is superb in a dual role as juke joint bluesman and psychedelic guitar guru. Wayne Kahn (compiler of local talent on "Blues You Hate To Lose") recorded Lighthouse live at City Blues and Fat Tuesdays for this project. The first nine cuts are gut-bucket blues, solo performances featuring Robert's dexterous guitar and awesome harp tone. Two of the songs are from Dr. Isaiah Ross, a big influence on Lighthouse. There is not a weak moment in this section - one of the best is the original title track,"Drive-Thru Love". If it wasn't for the contemporary references to Sweet and Low, you'd swear this was a faithfully rendered pre-war composition. There is something eerily familiar about the 5th cut. Well into the tune you realize you know it, just can't place it. Whoa! It's "Voodoo Chile"! Done acoustic and to the blues extreme. "Crossroads" is 'given the New Orleans second line treatment. It may remind some of John Mooney until Robert's own style and more laid back vocal delivery become apparent. The final three selections are originals and electric. "Machine''and "Lost and Found" are both in the Hendrixian, trippy vein. "Machine" comes complete with a false ending- segueing into a cool middle-eastern guitar figure finale. "Riding into the Sun''ends the CD and is the only studio cut. The vocal shading and pace of the song are very Pink Floyd like. Robert is one of our true local talents. If you haven't seen him - go, it's probably the best way to obtain thishighly recommended disc. You can also call Right on Rhythm at 202-328-6243.Bob SekingerBlues Scene QuarterlyWinter 2000Drive-Thru LoveRoots. This cat has 'em and they're located in...Sweden! The fact that this nearly-a-one-man-bandguitar/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 orwhatever 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 playersome 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. JMRight On Rhythm Records www.rightonrhythm.comHOHNER HARMONICA CO. EASY REEDING Spring 1998DRIVE-THRU LOVERobert LighthouseRobert 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 bluesfeeling 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 mediareviews. Lighthouse is being compared with Dr. Ross. If this guy keeps going and becomes media savvy, there's no stopping him.

Location Washington, DC - USA

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