Though they were born from the desire to rekindle enthusiasm for the grand, orchestral sound of mid-20th century blues, Love Light Orchestra is much more than a nostalgia act.
Formed in 2016 as a nod to the sound and visual flair prevalent early in the careers of beloved local stalwarts B.B. King and Bobby Bland, the outfit is as much a manifestation of the current as a throwback to a bygone era of nightclubs packed to the brim with partygoers eager to take in an evening of down-home musicality with a touch of class.
Armed with the vision of trumpeter Marc Franklin, guitarist Joe Restivo and vocalist John Németh, the ensemble earned favorable responses from the public and press alike with their debut performance. The Memphis Commercial Appeal noted the band's immersive qualities, writing that they transport listeners to a pivotal scene in which jazz and blues maintained influence over Memphis soul’s burgeoning sound. Writer Bob Mehr lauded the band for "re-conjuring a sound and style that was dominant in Memphis, and that would have a formative influence on the young artists who would come to stock the rosters of Stax Records and Hi Records in the decades to come.”
Excitement garnered onstage propelled the group into an opportunity to record, as they released a collection of live material in 2017. The album captured the high energy and rollicking fanfare of a one-night musical affair in Midtown Memphis club Bar DKDC. Additionally, the album featured a devoted songbook of covers, steeped in Bluff City tradition, culminating in Németh's chilling evocation of Al Green's ubiquitous romance anthem “Love & Happiness."
In the time since, plans to record in-studio proved to be a feat of managing the schedules of a band that consists of Memphis' most in-demand artists. However, the challenges of life, health and the unforeseen impact a global health crisis would have on the entire music industry, would push the release of the group's studio debut "Leave The Light On" over a three-year stretch of preparations.
Though the maturity and dexterity of the orchestra's musicians shone loud and clear on the band's first release, the refined direction on their sophomore effort dresses up the group's presentation, employing a clarity and quality complementary to the veteran musicianship within Love Light's ranks.
Tossing the songbook aside in favor of mostly original tunes, Love Light proves their staying power and reinforces that their outlook is pointed toward the future, even while providing context for our collective musical past.
Most defined is the amount of fun had between musicians who demonstrate genuine trust for one another, with sweltering, jumping tunes, such as "I Must Confess” and “Follow The Queen," meeting the mellow sincerity of "Come On Moon" and "Tricklin' Down."
With their second full-length effort, Love Light Orchestra reveals a passionate conversation between the example of our forebears and the implementation of the instinct to carve your own path ahead.
