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"...In my opinion Liz is a highly skilled performer who, in a similar manner to a champion ice-skater, makes her note-perfect playing and singing appear effortless. Do take the opportunity to see Liz perform if you can, you will be glad that you did....luckily for me I am now able to as I was quick enough to buy a copy of Liz's 2003 CD "On The Neon Highway" Mike Parrot, Live Review for the FAB Folk Club, Essex 2006
"Her multi-instrumental skills add atmosphere and texture to her solo work, and her distinctive, bell-like vocals easily encompass the demands of her varied material. Her latest album "On the Neon Highway" fulfills the promise of her earlier recordings amd marks this young singer/songwriter as a name to watch out for." Acoustic Routes, Cambridge
"Comparisons are always a little unfair, but if pressed I would say that her pure tone and vocal range remind me at times of Joni Mitchell, while the imagery and language in some of her songs has echoes of the late Sandy Denny." Roland Walls, The Black Swan, York
"Her chosen traditional folk material aside, there's a new maturity about her songs, especially apparent in 'House of Changes' and '44th Street', but it's her voice that registers above all, with a phenomenal range that she's quite unafraid to exploit to the full." Celf Cambria Arts, Tregaron
Liz Ryder - "On the Neon Highway" CD Review Folk and Roots UK
"On the Neon Highway" is the second release North Wales based Singer-Songwriter Liz Ryder. Ryder is a North Wales Singer-Songwriter who clearly has had a number of influences, both musical and otherwise that have affected her style. Her early years were spent in Long Beach, California but she moved to Britain at an early stage, and in my opinion it would be fair to say that her early influences played a role in her musical direction and choices.
Certainly as Ryder says herself folk and early music was a very early family influence and this is reflected in her writing and singing style. However Ryder does have a distinctive style of her own, her vocals have a slightly torch like character about them which even provides a new touch to some favourites. If a comparison has to be made, the only one that comes to mind is London based Rebecca Hollweg, certainly on tracks such as "The Waves" there is a distinct comparison in the character of their singing if not influences.
The CD itself consists lasts for just over fourty two minutes and consist of 10 tracks, the bulk of which were self penned by Ryder. The exceptions to this are "Sailing in the Boat" and "Black is the Colour", respectably tracks 1 and 8 on the CD. Ryders own lyrical style can have a poetic edge and slightly abstract element to them which is reflected on tracks such as "Atlantis" and "House of Changes". There is also considerable variety on the cd which comes to a close with "44th Street" which in my opinion is possibly one of the strongest of the collection in so far as it brings out a strength and depth to her voice isnt utilised in the same way on the more "upbeat" (for want of a better description) tracks, not because of a lack of skill on Ryders part but a reflection of the difference in style of the songs. I must admit I didnt initially recognise Ryders version of "Black is the Colour", her vocal styles come into their own however and she interprets the song in her own way adding her own interpretation to it, rather than being the same as youve heard on numerous other cds and live no doubt.
The CD has much to offer in the way of variety as well, both in terms of her songwriting style and her singing which clearly has considerable skills to offer. Aside from Ryder on guitar, harmonica and percussion she is joined by guest musicians on fiddle, slide guitar and bongos, although her singing and guitar playing clearly dominate the tracks.
Whilst Ryder is clearly at the beginning of her career it would be surprising if more isnt heard of her in the next few years, to build on her increasing presence on the acoustic and folk scene.
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