Paying tribute to the big band blues scene of the 1950s, ‘Leave The Light On’ is the debut album by the nine-piece band The Love Light Orchestra. Across nine original compositions and one cover, the band lovingly re-creates the horn-fueled orchestral sounds of B.B. King, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, and ‘Junior’ Parker.
The opening track ‘Time Is Fading Fast’ demonstrates the full-blown power of the band as frontman John Nemeth’s vocal perfectly sits alongside the swinging horns as they leap and fly to the beat. Featuring more than a nod in the direction of the late Louis Prima, ‘Give Me A Break’ is an enjoyable and raucous horn-driven rhumba.
With its call and response chorus, ‘I Must Confess’ provides a snappy boogaloo foot-tapping beat. The lead single from the album, ‘Come On Moon’ features some fiery blues guitar work from Joe Restivo as does the brilliant cover of B.B. King’s breakthrough hit ‘3 O’Clock Blues’. It’s also worth noting that Nemeth’s vocals on this track are perfect and if there is anyone suited to B.B. King tribute album then he’s the man to deliver it.
The Love Light Orchestra is more than a tribute act. Together the musicians rejuvenate the big band blues scene with sharp lyrics, blistering arrangements, and good old-fashioned swing.
A powerful, passionate, fun-filled record, ‘Leave The Light On’ is bound to fill dancefloors and banish those post-pandemic blues.