Rob Lutes

Praise for RIDE THE SHADOWS, Rob's third CD released Nov. 23, 06"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 "Ride the Shadows is just out - and it's a strong effort that features reliably lyrical rag 'n' roll fingerpicking ("rag" as in ragtime), a particularly strong vocal performance from Lutes, soul-searching lyrics that seek out both darkness and light and a tender cover of the Otis Redding classic That's How Strong My Love Is. In other words, well worth the wait." Bernard Perusse, Montreal Gazette "There are artists that reach you through their songwriting, their melodies or their voice; Rob Lutes succeeds on all these levels... an album that cannot be ignored." Patricia Clavel, Le Net Blues"Great songs. I really like Rob's style" Chris Smither " ... a cross between the electric-acoustic duality of Fred Eaglesmith and the tenderness of Ron Sexsmith. Truly excellent!"Voir Magazine "An amazing listen and a worthy check out for all blues, folk, and roots fans." Scene Roots and Blues Magazine" " ... his songs are more layered, more melodic, dare we say more poetic, than a typical blues tune. But the feel, the emotional honesty, free of artifice and illusion, is very much the same. Lutes' ability to find the beauty in sadness is reminiscent of Van Morrison..." CanadianBlues.ca "His knack for melodic songcraft as well as his impassioned, warmly raspy vocal style lifts his music above any particular pigeonhole." Montreal GazetteEvoking a raw honesty in his voice and the written word, Rob Lutes has gained a following in his native Canada and the US as a roots musician of substance. Either solo or backed by a well-honed band, Lutes delivers his songs, whether one of his evocative ballads or his pop-tinged, blues-flavoured compositions with authority. His soulful lyrics and vocals, deftly married with his indelible melodies and accomplished musicianship have established his reputation as a performer of note. The Montreal-based, maritime-born artist spent ten years as a writer/editor, before discovering that songwriting and performing was what he was called to do full time. Evolving his own signature style with his richly textured vocals and earthy feel, Rob has steadily gained ground nationally in Canada by playing prestigious festivals such as Toronto International Bluesfest, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Stan Rogers Festival. In Canada he has released two CD's, Gravity in 2000 and Middle Ground in 2002. His third CD, Ride The Shadows, will be released in Fall 2006. Rob has also gained recognition in America. In 2001, Rob won the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Songwriting competition in Kerrville, Texas. In 2004, he won The Philadelphia Songwriters Project Road Song contest, resulting in appearances at both the WXPN Singer Songwriter Weekend and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Rob has garnered nominations for Album of the Year and Performance of the Year from Le Net Blues in Quebec. The Toronto Blues Society nominated him as Songwriter of the Year in 2003. And in Billy Block's 2004 Americana Contest in Nashville, the Rob Lutes Band finished second for Best Americana Band. Most recently, Rob has been picked to perform at the prestigious Falconridge Folk Festival (2006) and has had a song selected for the Canadian Winter Song Compilation CD, Let It Snow Too! on Gogetm Records.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4