Liz Longley CD Review

Title – Take You Down
Artist – Liz Longley
Label – Luckelizz Music
Catalogue Number – 82260582062
Rating – 5 stars

With looks similar to LeAnn Rimes, Liz Longley was voted number one all time female vocalist in Garageband.com’s acoustic category in 2006. Now working with acclaimed male artist John Meyer, Liz Longley’s album Take You Down is breathtakingly beautiful and lyrically outstanding.

Something You Should Know is a fantastic opening track. Liz has a delicate yet forceful voice. This is a catchy number with a truly modern feel. Although a lively number this song is full of gentle overtones.

Whatever Goes Up is a much slower number written by Liz. This is a tender ballad featuring Diane Monroe on violin. This sad track talks about how everything that goes up must come down ‘with a crash and a burn and a cry’.

Yes Or No picks up the pace once more. This track has a light, airy feel to it with catchy lyrics in the chorus. If you like breezy modern country then this is the song for you.

Different Love Song is a powerful ballad again written by Liz. Liz’s voice is allowed to shine through on this stunning track. This is a definite ten out of ten track – outstanding!

Devil On My Shoulder is a heavier track than the previous tracks on this album. There is a subtle touch of blues permeating throughout this track. This track shows another side to Liz’s vocal talents and it is a pleasing one. Take You Down is the title track of this album and was written by Liz and Bill Deasy. Again this is a much heavier number, which allows Liz to really amp up her vocals and show the world what she is made of.

Lose My Mind was written by Liz’s close friend Sarah Zimmermann, who also plays acoustic guitar on this gentle track. This is an enjoyable track, which sees the mood slowed down once again. The constant changes in pace throughout this album are what makes it stand out from the crowd. Liz keeps the listener on their toes throughout this album.

Answer Me is a striking number written by Liz. This song is full of powerful lyrics that will blow the listener away ‘oh my god you’re bleeding, just don’t open your eyes’. Liz’s voice is haunting on this poignant number that could easily bring a tear to the listener’s eye. This is one of the best emotional/moving songs I have heard in years. Song writing at its very best. For me this is the stand out song of the whole CD.

I’ll Be There sees Liz take a turn on the piano. This is another top notch emotional ballad. It would be so easy to compare Liz to the likes of SheDaisy or Faith Hill but that would be an unfair comparison to make. Liz is very much her own woman and her superior singing/writing talents speak for themselves.

Invisible is a cheery upbeat number, after two heartfelt ballads it is nice to have a fresh catchy number to lift the mood. Jane is another song written by Liz. Although an upbeat track this song contains some great lyrics, which deal with some difficult issues.

The final track on this ‘outstanding’ album is Circle Game, written by Joni Mitchel. This seems a fitting song to end such a brilliant collection of songs on. This album gives the listener something of an emotional rollercoaster ride and this parting offering is another beautiful and emotive song. Liz is joined on vocals by Sarah Zimmermann, who sounds very much like Linda Ronstadt. I look forward to hearing more from Sarah Zimmermann in the future. The guitar and bass on this track are unobtrusive allowing both Liz and Sarah’s voices to take centre stage.

At the end of the album you are left thinking ‘wow’. Plaudits aplenty for this twelve track masterpiece. Each and every song on this CD is a carefully crafted work of art lovingly woven together to create something special.