With the release of Long Time Comin' on Metro One Records, Chris Lizotte serves up a recording full of soul, passion, and yearning-all elements of good blues music. And good this is. Although this is his debut on Metro One, Lizotte had two previous albums on New Breed, Free and Chris Lizotte and Soul Motion. With his third offering, Lizotte has crafted a collection of songs that speak to the heart and to the spirit.
The album starts with a song that talks from the Father's point of view. "Gonna Take You Back" dwells on the promise that no matter what we do, God will always love us. "It's not the man that breaks my heart/His sin is what I hate...You got that right, you're unworthy/but you're worth a lot to me." "Hold Me Up" is a searing duet with Maria McKee, formerly of Lone Justice. Her soulful voice is the perfect foil for Lizotte's aching vocals, and the combination is very effective.
Other outstanding cuts include "Heaven's Looking Better All the Time" and "Peace Be With You." The first is an up-tempo tune that talks to a friend who has passed on to the next life. The second is the album closer. Dedicated to the inmates of the California Institute for Women in Chino, California, (where Lizotte leads worship once a month) it is a poignant look at how life can beat us down, but God is always seeking to bring us the peace that we need. A soothing, acoustic tune, it is a perfect ending to the album.
Lizotte is ably backed by various musicians, most notably Raymond McDonald on electric guitar. McDonald's Texas-style blues playing is an integral part of the texture of the album, and underscores Lizotte's vocals nicely.
All in all, a welcome addition to the growing blues scene.
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