Democracy Blvd

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 - Blues & Rhythm Magazine '...plays delta blues like the great masters' - HOHNER HARMONICA CO 'A supremely talented bluesman/mercurial talents' - Blues & Rhythm Magazine 'Consummate skill/stunning harmonica chops - BLUES REVIEW 'Dexterous guitar and awesome harp tone' - BALTIMORE BLUES SOCIETY.