One of the most entertaining groups in bluegrass music today is The Little Roy and Lizzy Show. Hailing from Lincolnton, Georgia, this enjoyable duo and their band are well-known in the worlds of both bluegrass and Gospel music for their musical skills and comedic stage show. With their latest release, Lord in the Morning, out on Pisgah Ridge Records, Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long have put together an album with a traditional feel which draws deeply from the sounds of both Southern and bluegrass Gospel.
The majority of the album contains Gospel songs, ranging from the uptempo bluegrass of the title track, to the old-timey mountain sound of There’s a Light, which features Lewis on autoharp. I’m Gonna Make It is a fun tune with a Southern Gospel sound. With Lewis on lead vocals and Long adding bluesy slide guitar, this song is told from the point of view of a man who is assured that heaven is waiting for him at the end of his life’s race. The World Needs a Washin’, an upbeat tune which country music fans may recognize from the 1969 Porter Wagoner version, features an interesting combination of rich Southern Gospel-style vocals and clawhammer banjo, both from Long. Another nice track is He Washed My Soul, which expresses thankfulness for Jesus’s sacrifice.
Several songs address the traditional bluegrass theme of heartbreak. One of the album’s standout tracks is Wishful Thinking, in which a woman spends her days and nights hoping her lost love will return to her just once more. Cold, Dark Room has a classic country feel and features a similar story, with the singer spending all her time in a room that’s “cold and dark just like (her) heart.” Showing a slightly different stance on a broken heart is Pity Party, one of the most traditionally bluegrass tunes on the album. Written by Tom T. and Dixie Hall, this song has the singers declaring that they don’t want a pity party, crocodile tears, or sympathy after a breakup.
Lord in the Morning is a collection of twelve tracks which showcases both Lewis and Long on vocals as well as on an assortment of instruments. They have also assembled a talented supporting group of musicians, including Clay Hess (guitar), Ben Isaacs (bass), Wayne Haun (piano), and Glen Duncan (fiddle). With terrific musicianship and a nice selection of songs, Lord in the Morning will be a fine addition to the collection of any fan of Gospel or traditional bluegrass music.
For more information on Little Roy and Lizzy, visit their website at http://littleroyandlizzy.com.
Their new album can be purchased from their website, as well as a variety of online music retailers.
