Lighthouse

Sunny Days Again: The Best of Lighthouse (1969-1974)

Much like Chicago's early sound, Lighthouse made wise use of their horn and string ensembles to create some rather bright and colorful music in the early '70s. With 13 members, including Don Dinovo on viola, Dick Armin on cello, and Howard Shore as the sax player, who later went on to be the first music director for Saturday Night Live, Lighthouse's music implemented many textures, from brassy rock & roll to a slippery blues-rock feel. Sunny Days Again is a commendable compilation, which includes all of their best tracks, headlined by "One Fine Morning," which gave them their first Top 40 hit in 1971, and the two-speed tempo of "Sunny Days," that debuted their rich, multi-dimensioned sound. Lead singer Bob McBride flaunts his vocal range on "You Girl," while "Pretty Lady" shuffles along as a slick pop/rock number with horns on both side of the chorus. Even the more guitar-oriented pieces like "Take It Slow" and "Broken Guitar Blues" have something to offer in their slick rhythms and blues-based purity. Sunny Days Again is by far the easiest hits package to find from Lighthouse, and its material does do the band justice. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide