Astuteness, talent and class
J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 10/01/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Playing Time - 47:19 -- Bluegrassers are familiar with the many accomplishments of Earl Scruggs and Little Roy Lewis who are given top billing on this album despite their fairly understated roles. Scruggs appears on five cuts, and Lewis only on four. There's nothing wrong with lending their names to support a talented up-and-comer like Lizzy Long. Many fans of the genre may not yet be familiar with her defining vocals, enchanting fiddling and driving banjo-picking even though the prolific 23-year-old has already released four other albums. She's got a clear vision of success, her musicianship is sturdy, her attitude is confident, and her work ethic is strong. Born and raised on a Georgia farm, her myriad musical interests introduced her to country, bluegrass and pop music, along with the instruments of these genres. Besides holding a degree in business law, she has also studied music orchestration and arrangement. At present, she plays in a band called "Mountain Fury" with her sister (Rebekah) and two college friends (Eileen Marsh, Rachel Singleton) in West Virginia. Lizzy's mentors Scruggs and Lewis know that she's got plenty on the ball.
Produced by Wayne Haun and Kevin Ward, "Lifetimes" is a new addition to the catalog of up-and-coming Nashville-based label, Vine Records. With top Nashville session accompaniment, the album allows Lizzy to fire with all barrels. While her fiddling might not be quite as superior as Aubrey Haynie's or Andy Leftwich's, it's still plenty solid on the one cut featuring her bow work -- Earl's original instrumental "Obelisk Flour." Two additional songs feature her nimble-fingered banjo proficiency -- Lewis' "Catamount Chase Breakdown" and her own self-penned (with Lyn Rowell) offering, "I'm Not Falling For You."
Where this album is particularly auspicious is in its presentation of Lizzy's luminous vocals on an entertaining blend of songs. We also hear Lewis' or Scruggs' voices in "The Preacher and the Bear" and "The Bluebirds Singing for Me." Relying on a Nashville-produced acoustic music mentality for radio-friendly music, the album's drum tracks (Greg Ritchie, Kevin Ward, Ricky Free) are a little too hot and heavy at times. However, a catchy song like Wayne Kirkpatrick's "The Has Been" is given AKUS-like radiance with carefully cultivated percussion and piano (Pat Coil). The CD's crowning moment actually occurs in the leanest and drumless setting of the very last track, a delicate and intimate rendition of Wayne Haun and Barry Raccio's "The Road Before Me." With reverance, her expressive vocals make a strong emotional statement. Carving a niche for herself, Lizzy Long demonstrates considerable astuteness, talent and class. The project's bonus DVD includes interviews and information about the making of the album. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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Track Listings (14) - Disc #1