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Rob Lutes is a soulful singer-songwriter from Montreal with an ever-growing collection of literate, moving meditations on life and love.
His ability to encapsulate universal ideas and questions, even the subtle ones, coupled with his gritty, heartfelt delivery and world-class performance chops, have invited comparisons with several legends in the roots genre from John Hiatt to Fred Eaglesmith.
“He will soon be counted amongst the ranks of the best in the industry, a rare talent that keeps getting better with each project released” says Hello Darlin’ Productions promoter Matt Large.
Greg Quill of the Toronto Star deemed Lutes’ 2007 studio effort Ride the Shadows “a brilliantly understated gem distinguished by a warm and raspy voice, honest and eloquent lyrics, and evocative acoustic guitar work…among the best of the year's roots/blues crop.” The Ottawa Citizen named the CD “one of the Top Ten in Canada for 2007”.
Following on the success of that work, which also took him to Europe – with a licensing deal from Rounder Europe – and across Canada, the former Kerrville New Folk winner is preparing to go into studio to record his much-awaited fourth CD with noted Boston-area producer David Goodrich (Chris Smither, Peter Mulvey).
Lutes and musical partner, legendary Montreal resophonic guitarist Rob MacDonald, are also becoming widely known for their inspiring and impassioned live performances.
After more than 10 years together, the duo displays an almost instinctual musical connection on the stage. Lutes states: “At this point, Rob and I can read one another other’s playing so well, it’s sort of like the two of us are playing one instrument.”
Following recording and release of a fourth studio album in Fall 2008, Lutes and MacDonald will tour in Canada, Europe and the U.S. through 2009.
EARLY REVIEWS OF TRUTH & FICTION:
"More releases like 2008's splendid Truth & Fiction, perhaps the best release of his career, and Lutes won't need to worry about
the rent. A gifted songwriter widely praised and perhaps more widely thought of as underknown, Lutes seems poised to tip..."
Dave Jaffer, Ottawa XPress
"Rob Lutes' talent is not fiction and once again, he delivers an album at the height of his talent." Le Net Blues (Canada)
Read full review:
http://www.lenetblues.com/RobLutes-TruthAndFiction.html
"Rob Lutes packs a powerful punch with his raw take on the roots music genre."
Real Detroit
"Lutes is the master storyteller. 8/10"
Gerard Dee, Montreal Mirror
Read full review:
http://www.montrealmirror.com/2009/012209/disc.html
“Rob Lutes has refined his expression, as he has climbed a notch with each release. He is now in my opinion, among the very finest in the genre.” Johan Annetorp, www.rootsy.nu
Read full review:
http://www.rootsy.nu/recension.php?id=1084
“*****” (five stars)
Ctrlaltcountry.be
Read full review: www.ctrlaltcountry.be
“…his most compelling album yet.”
Mike Regensteif, Montreal Gazette
Read full review: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Entertainment/music/1008912/story.html
"another seasoned, strong statement from Canadian Rob Lutes..."
Frank Ipach, www.hookedonmusic.de
Read full review:
http://hooked-on-music.de/CD-Reviews2/Rob_Lutes/Truth_And_Fiction.html
“An inspired songwriter.”
rootstime.be (Belgium/Netherlands)
Read full review:
http://rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEWS/2008/2008-DECEMBER11.htm108
“a skilled synthesis between contemporary semi-acoustic blues and folk music. A superb album.”
(Belgium/Netherlands)
Read full review:
http://rootsville.be/
CD of the Month, December 2008
Americana OK!
www.americanaok.com
"It's a masterpiece."
Roel Stabler, Havenstad FM
"One of the most impressive new Americana artists of the decade."
Kees van Wee, Heaven
“…all beautiful songs.”
altcountry.nl
PRESS & QUOTES
“A great songwriter, a man with a great way with words and also a fantastic guitar picker!”
- Michael Jerome Browne
“Lutes should be recognized as on of the country's more distinctive roots voices.”
- Dean Cottrill, Hour Magazine
“There are few Canadian singer-songwriters who straddle the Canada-US songwriting border with ease, Garnet Rogers comes to mind. Montreal-based songwriter Rob Lutes will soon be counted amongst the ranks of the best in the industry. Insightful and meaty like Bill Morrissey, the aforementioned Rogers and Lucy Kaplansky, he is also gutty and gritty like Greg Brown or Chris Smither. A rare talent that keeps getting better with each project released, one listen will prove he is more than a passing fancy - this guy is here to stay.”
- Matt Large, Concert promoter, Hello Darlin’ Productions
“Widely recognized as a gifted songwriter.”
- Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
“Probably the best-kept secret on the Montreal folk-blues scene. A must for every fan of folk music.”
- Paroles et Musique
“Lutes displays colors and talents like the John Hiatt of Bring the Family and Slow Turning.”
- Serge Truffaut, Le Devoir
“Lutes seems like a cross between the electric-acoustic duality of Fred Eaglesmith and the tenderness of Ron Sexsmith. Truly excellent.”
- Claude Cote, Voir Magazine
“…a createor of distinctive, beautiful folk-blues rhythms as good as the best writer-composers of his generation. Heart and soul come through in his voice.”
- André Courey, Tremblant Express
“A world-class songwriter.”
- Mike Regenstreif
“In the overcrowded field of roots-inspired music, though, the singer-songwriter is only as good as the stories he’s telling, and in this respect, Lutes proves to be an expert.”
- Johnson Cummins, Montreal Mirror
“With the release of his latest CD, Rob Lutes, Canadian singer-songwriter-guitarist puts his name is a rare category of artist. His voice is equally exceptional as his skill on the guitar. Fans of vocals, melody and guitar work will love the subtle mix of blues, jazz and ragtime that is Rob Lutes music.”
- Jacques Charbonneau, www.laguitar.com
LIVE:
“It's only the very best that are able to play better live than on the cd. Rob Lutes and Rob MacDonald do it. If they are playing somewhere near you, do not miss it. It just doesn't get any better! ”
- Tony Sanner, Concert Series Presenter,
De Slotplaats, Bakkeveen, The Netherlands
“After a full day of incredible acts, there are very few artists who could have risen to the level that Rob Lutes did to close out the first annual Folk Festival on the Canal. His performance was absolutely brilliant and befitting of a true headliner, playing his amazingly crafted songs while guitarist Rob MacDonald wowed the audience with guitar playing that no human should be capable of. ”
- Dave Cool, Co-Founder,
Montreal Folk Festival on the Canal
“Rob’s appearance at Crossroads was definitely one of the three very best sessions out of the 145 sessions we’ve recorded so far.”
- Jos van den Boom, Crossroads Radio,
Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands
“Rob Lutes gave a solid crowd-pleasing performance at City Roots Festival. Rob's gritty vocals, powerful and precise guitar work do justice to his well-crafted original songs. Rob is a convincing solo performer; but with the addition of Rob MacDonald on dobro, the overall effect becomes even more captivating and capable of holding any audience. Recommended!”
- Howard Gladstone, Executive Director,
Toronto CityRoots Festival – www.torontocityroots.com
“By the time Rob Lutes came on stage, the stars were out, the mood was mellow and the NDG singer's soulful vocals and songwriting were the perfect ending to a perfect day. Guitarist Rob MacDonald was just as much a star as Lutes was, blowing away the crowd with his mad guitar skills.”
- Toula Foscolas, Westmount Examiner
“As musicians, Rob Lutes and Rob MacDonald are almost like guitar Vishnus - one super being with many hands playing together. This tightness helps propel Lutes’ songs, especially in a live setting, to an exceptionally passionate level.”
- Between Adam’s Ears, May 2008
RECORDINGS:
“a brilliantly understated gem distinguished by a warm and raspy voice, honest and eloquent lyrics, and evocative acoustic guitar work…among the best of the year's roots/blues crop”
- Greg Quill, Toronto Star
**** (four stars)
“If you like literate blues-based Americana with a keen sense of melody, then check out Rob Lutes’ latest release.”
- Americana Homeplace Radio
**** (four stars)
"Lutes sounds like he's letting you in on a secret and you'd better listen, while the less-is-more approach to the music emphasizes the connection between singer, song and acoustic guitar."
- Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Ride the Shadows named TOP TEN CANADIAN CDs of 2007
– Ottawa Citizen
Ride the Shadows named Top 50 CDs of 2007
- American Connection
“Montreal's Rob Lutes makes his music at the same intersection of blues, Americana, and singer-songwriter balladry that Chris Smither and David Van Ronk have inhabited so well. In his third album, Rob shows off smooth Piedmont style fingerpicking, a whisky baritone voice, and tasteful accompaniment on 12 soulful and powerful songs.”
- Sing Out!
“An amazing listen and worthy check out for all blues/folk/roots fans.”
- Chris Jacques, Scene Roots and Blues Magazine
“ shines with excellent musicianship and finely crafted songs. An artist to watch.”
- Richard Middleton, Sing Out!
“Lutes' ability to find the beauty in sadness is reminiscent of Van Morrison. The prevailing mood may well be melancholic, but it's all achingly lovely, thoroughly clear-eyed and utterly unsentimental.”
- John Taylor, CanadianBlues.ca
“these quiet songs draw you in with a storytelling style that’s at once universal and uniquely Canadian.” 8/10
- Gerard Dee, Montreal Mirror
“There are artists that reach you through their songwriting, their melodies or their voice; Rob Lutes succeeds at all three... an album that cannot be ignored.”
- Patricia Clavel, Le Net Blues
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