CD REVIEW: BLUEBERRY PIE- LIZZY LONG
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS
CD REVIEW
BLUEBERRY PIE- LIZZY LONG
Label: Vine Records/Sony/Provident
Release Date: May 5, 2015
REVIEW COPY PROVIDED
SONG LIST:
1. Blueberry Pie
2. Speak Now
3. Communication Breakdown- featuring Sam Bush
4. Love I'm In Love- featuring Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
5. God Is There- Duet with Rhonda Vincent
6. It Don't Take Much
7. Figueroa Mountain- featuring Sam Bush
8. Backwoods Lullaby- featuring Destiny Rambo McGuire
9. Feed The Birds (Tuppence a Bag)
10. Love's A Mountain Road
11. When My Heart Cries
THOUGHTS:
If you enjoy good ole footstomping bluegrass, music mixed with tender country flavored ballads, then this is for you! To be honest, I had not heard of Lizzy Long until recently and I'm glad that this record was brought to my attention. Long, a two time Dove Award winner, has traveled alongside Little Roy Lewis and The Lewis Family for years and has performed with many prominent Country/ Bluegrass artists. This debut solo recording is a great mix of peaceful ballads and upbeat fast paced bluegrass songs. Lizzy Long's unique and tender voice shines on each track; delivering the lyrics beautifully. Many of the songs on this recording focus on love and what it means to be truly loved. The record begins with the simple title track "Blueberry Pie" which tells the story of a relationship between a tough man who opens up to his spouse and is sweet in love like blueberry pie. The guitar and mandolin compliment her voice beautifully. The next track "Speak Now" says that if you love someone, let them know it. This mid tempo number has a country flavor and is well crafted. Guest vocalist Sam Bush joins Long on the fast paced banjo and fiddle driven "Communication Breakdown" which deals with communication issues in relationships. The Dove Award winning Southern Gospel quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound is featured on the simple, mid tempo, country style "Love I'm In Love." This song is a love story about to people who are meant to be together. EHSS provides background vocals and echo her parts on the chorus.
We all have our scars and struggles. We go through periods of great pain and great joy. Life can be cruel, but as Christians we take comfort in knowing God is with us. This is the message conveyed in the powerful yet peaceful "God Is There." Rhonda Vincent joins Long on this beautiful song of hope. "It Don't Take Much" is a simple country style song about spreading a little love to the people around you. A kind word can change somebody's luck and make their day a little better. It doesn;t take much just a little faith and a little love to make the world a better place. Another banjo driven song comes in the form of "Figueroa Mountain," which talks about the breathtaking scenery of the Southern mountains. it is an upbeat bluegrass song in which the last chorus tests Long and the musicians abilities by speading up. The tender "Backwoods Lullaby" slows it down and focuses on home and family. Long, joined by Destiny Rambo McGuire, shines on this track giving an emotionally powerful performance. The next song is the Marry Poppins classic "Feed The Birds (Tuppence a Bag)" which has a haunting and Celtic sound and style complete with guitar and accordian. The journey of love is the subject of the simple midtempo tune "Love's A Mountain Road." A relationship has its ups and downs, but the trip is worth it. If the love and life were not difficult at times, then there would be no opportunity for growth. Another midtempo number "When My Heart Cries" closes out this journey of love. This song seems to deal with the ending of a relationship.
This is a solid solo debut for Lizzy Long, who will surely make a mark in this field. This is an easy listening album and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Standout tracks: "God Is There," "It Don;t Take Much," "Backwoods Lullaby," "Communication Breakdown," and "Love I'm In Love."
4 Stars
For more information on Lizzy Long, visit http://www.littleroyandlizzy.com/ and https://thep.com/Artist.aspx?ArtistCode=LIZL