Description
Human Kind is the fourth album by the American singer, songwriter, and bluesman Chris Lizotte, released on Metro One Recordings in 1995, distributed by Diamante. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by John Andrew Schreiner at Jasmine Sound in San Clemente, California.
Opening with the melodic title cut, followed by the slightly more up tempo «The Love Of The Father’s Arms», it is quickly apparent that Lizotte pens songs that are catchier than the proverbial cold. A rare matching of sensitivity with musical creativity makes this atmospheric album pure joy! Breakout really occurs with Lizotte’s energetic crashing guitar on «You Put The Fire In Me» which reminded me of Peter Case‘s rockier moments. Somehow Lizotte manages to create magnificently moody music helped here by some magnificent organ by producer John Schreiner. The brilliant ballads «In My Time» and «I Got It All» are Lizotte’s reflections on life and the satisfaction of simple things. Lizotte makes amazing music and matches it with lyrics that search for heavenly truth in every day existence. Best example is the album’s closing song inspired by the sad death of a close friend. On «Healing Oil», Chris pours out his heart over a gentle distorted guitar in a delicate, distinct beautiful brave prayer of hope in the face of death. Heartbreakingly powerful. Musically more expansive in style than Long Time Comin’, Lizotte manages to maintain intimacy while broadening the range of styles. «Pure Of Heart» is mid period Beatles prog rock meeting a bit of grunge and «Hard Enough» showcases his excellent simultaneously rough and smooth vocal styling. Great voice and one of the best albums of the year. It doesn’t get better than this. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, June 1996]
“Diverse” might be the only way to describe Lizotte. His tremendous range includes folky, Dylan-esque story/songs, blues-inflected tunes ala Robert Cray, U2-style rock, and worship ballads which mix devotional lyrics with Ray Charles R&B inflections. ‘Human Kind’ touches on all of these areas, making it perhaps a bit less cohesive than his best-known ‘Soul Motion‘ project, which was primarily blues/R&B.
But Lizotte has added a few more colors to his musical palette on this release. There’s what you might call “alternative folk” on «The Sun Went Away», a moody, apocalyptic track; “grunge praise” on «Pure of Heart», almost a psalm set to music and «Psalm 69», which sports a mournful, Celtic rock vibe thanks to the accordion/fiddle/mandolin accompaniment. At its core, Lizotte’s songs remain very personal and primarily praise-oriented. But even at their most intimate, his are inclusive rather than exclusive, something which is the mark of a seasoned and sensitive soul. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, October 1995]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/chris-lizotte-collection/1615468920)
CD tracklist:
01. Human Kind – 3:16
02. The Love Of The Father’s Arms – 2:55
03. In My Time – 3:43
04. You Put The Fire In Me – 5:00
05. I Got It All – 3:41
06. The Sun Done Went Away – 1:58
07. Pure Of Heart – 3:26
08. Hard Enough – 4:36
09. Psalm 69 – 4:32
10. I’m Gonna Stand By You – 3:27
11. Healing Oil – 6:09
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Metro One Recordings.
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CREDITS. Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by John Andrew Schreiner. Assistant Engineer: Martin Resch. Recorded and mixed at Jasmine Sound, San Clemente, CA. Art Direction by Phillip Kim. Design and Layout by Timothy McCaig. Photography by Karen Mason. Executive-Producer: Brian Ray. All songs written by Chris Lizotte, except track 10 written by John Andrew Schreiner.
Musicians: Chris Lizotte (Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals), John Andrew Schreiner (Hammond Organ, Electric Piano/Wurlitzer, Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Randy Mitchell (Mandolin, High Strung Acoustic Guitar), Paul Martin (Bass), Tim Chandler (Bass, tracks: 1, 4, 8), David Raven (Drums), Jack Kelly (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Christina Dent, The Shawnette’s (tracks: 7).
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