One look at Chris Lizotte will tell you that he knows what he's singing about. His lived life scruffy appearance, thanks mostly to his facial hair, fits perfectly with the brand of Blues-rock, worship music, that he plays on, 'Signal Hill Revival.' He's my kind of worship leader who instead of wearing a suit and tie, prefers to wear a t-shirt and blue jeans.

'Signal Hill Revival' is found on the Varietal Records' label, and was recorded at the Compound Studio in Signal Hill (Long Beach) area of California.

The CD itself offers up 12 tracks of music. It's also an enhanced CD so you'll find printable chord charts and lyric sheets for each of the 12 songs. On top of that you'll also find a companion DVD that tells the story behind each of the songs, along with several recording studio performances of the songs.

Lizotte says that this album fulfills a long time dream of his. "I'm happy to just lead worship at my church, but to have the opportunity to do this with my best friends has been such a blessing. Some of the people on this album I've played music with for over 20 years. It just feels like a bunch of friends worshipping together," he continues. 'Signal Hill Revival' is a reflection of the heart, passion and authenticity of a group of people who desire to use their gifts and talents to glorify God.

The CD is jammed pack with loads of unbelievably good guitar work that plays well when set against Lizotte's slightly gravelly and soaked in passion vocals. Lizotte and friend Marc Ford (The Black Crowes) provide those guitar parts. Ford also produced the release.

Another thing I like about the songs found on this release is their honesty. The songs aren't filled with candy coated lyrics, they talk about there being tough times and trials in this life time, will still offering up the hope that in the end it will turn out for the best with God's direction.

One of the more touching songs found on the release is, "O Death Where is Your Sting." It's a good example of what I'm talking about. In the accompanying DVD Lizotte talks about the thought process behind the song and tells how someone in his church suffers from brittle bone disease and constant pain, yet she's always smiling and happy. He talks about what a beacon of light she is to everyone around her and when it comes time to met God how He'll say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

The next track, "Deep Water," is also touching for its honest lyrics. The song was written by Marc Ford and is the personal story of his struggle of life living in the trenches, before finally turning to God.

The DVD ('The Making of Signal Hill Revival') that accompanies the CD last just under one hour and is a great compliment piece to the CD. It goes behind the scene to document the making of the CD with Chris Lizotte telling the story behind many of the songs, along with exclusive behind the scenes studio footage. He's also joined on it by Marc Ford, who talks about their friendship and the story behind his song, "Deep Water." Besides the storytelling another highlight found on the DVD comes with the live studio performance of the song, "Brighter Day," featuring vocals by Crystal Lewis.

This CD/DVD release works on so many different levels, it's entertaining, while also reaching into your soul with its messages. I could also see this being a great witnessing tool to anyone that's into Blues-rock music.