Bradley Gregg - Actor, Filmmaker & Music Lover - Los Angeles, CA

“The Other Side of the Road” is a place you should definitely venture. Go there. Listen and hear, friends. Tap your toe and groove. Ponder and reflect. It’s really good. These songs take me personally to a place, almost nostalgic—all the while there’s a vibe that settles me quite well present day as my heart and mind take off across the way. Think Dylan, Jim Croce, George Harrison, even The Grateful Dead, and CSN…to name a few. Black & white and colorful, smooth and gritty, all at the same. I am uplifted after listening to this piece. I could single out certain songs but I won’t. It’s the whole thing. Dave Long should be on the radio as we take a nice long drive down the coast. Feel the wind and Enjoy.

Aaron Bragg - Legendary Music Reviewer -

Those of you who know Dave Long or are familiar with his music probably know what to expect from his latest release: an unapologetic callback to 1970s-era singer-songwriter rock and roll. You know, clever lyrics, catchy hooks, tight harmonies. God’s music, in other words.

And that’s exactly what you’ll get.

But what you might not be expecting (I wasn’t, anyway) is the sheer beauty of some of these new songs. Tracks like “My Time to Shine,” “Feeling No Pain,” “My Day and Night, and “Bye Bye Baby” are exquisitely crafted gems. This is songcraft on a whole ’nother level—from a guy known as much for his goofy persona as he is for his guitar technique.

Don’t get me wrong: The wit and wordplay are still very much present, most notably in the lead-off track, “California.” But the cumulative effect of The Other Side of the Road is to demonstrate that Long is a serious musician—and to remind us of the soul-healing power of song.

Jason Fischer - Pastor, Craftsman, Visual Artist - Phoenix, AZ

This new album ( The Other Side of the Road) by Dave Long is a splendid showcase of American rock, folk and even a bit of country. Dave has a firm grasp on the words, sound and feel that excite our sense of nostalgia while adding his own modern edge. Dave has been deeply influenced by musicians like Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Bruce Springsteen and it shows. His music is by no means rote, instead it is proof that art begets art. Dave joins us in our longings for places like California beaches and the ever growing need to put ourselves in the shoes of another in his song “The Other Side of the Road”. Dave’s faith in Jesus comes through in every song and he has a way of wooing us with a fancy tune while weaving lyrics that cut to the heart. I would be remiss not to mention Myah Batt’s omnipresence on this album. Even if Dave completely tanked this thing I’d still listen to it for her beautiful harmonies throughout. From beginning to end, this album is a must listen. 

Elisa Watson - Writer, Business Founder/Owner (Showit) - Phoenix, AZ

Grab whatever your preferred tools of creativity and/or relaxation are, because Dave Long's The Other Side of the Road is an album you’re going to want to listen to over and over again while you paint/cook/jog/knit/ride a bike/watch the sunset/drink a latte/drive the Pacific Coast Highway. Somehow current and nostalgic at the same time, this album is addictively listenable with its Bob Dylan and Don McLean vibes. Faith weaves in and out of the lyrics, never intrusively, and there is satire without cynicism in many of the tracks. Start with California, then listen to I Don’t Like It, A Foolish Man, My Time to Shine, and Talking to the Devil. Be sure to listen to Bye Bye Baby too. And then just listen to all the rest, because the whole album is a bop, as the kids say. Folksy, funny, and subtly profound, you’re going to find yourself wanting to listen again and again.

Tom Townsend - K-TOM Radio, Legendary Music SuperFan - Spokane, WA

The Other Side of the Road is the 6th studio and 10th overall album by Dave Long.  Long started his recording career in 2000 with the tongue in cheek titled “Dave Long’s Greatest Hits Vol 2”.   Long, a non-denominational Pastor for decades, is categorized as a Christian artist but isn’t one in your traditional sense. While understanding the history of “traditional” Christian Hymns, Long doesn’t like being lumped in with modern Christian singers and groups.

While those “traditional” elements do show up in his music, his lyrics are more raw and real, many times bordering on Secular.  This has been true since the beginning and some would say his “religious” songs are anything but.  However, that is the magic of his music.  While you may think you are listening to another “song” there is a point where he brings it all home…Jesus is the way to a better and eternal life.

While Dave Long is a really good singer and excellent guitar player his real talent is writing lyrics. His influences are Dylan, Lennon & McCartney, Johnny Cash and a few others.  There have been moments of incredible word play in the past (my favorite, unreleased Cigarettes & Heartache, available only on Soundcloud) but Long truly hits his stride on this album with a set of consistently well-written songs.

And this is true for his vocals, too. Again, the influence of Dylan, Lennon & McCartney and Cash came through in his past singing style and approach.  On the Other Side of the Road, he sings in his “own voice.”  And it shows in his confident singing and storytelling.  Long plays all the instruments and recruited his daughter Myah to sing background and harmonies and she does a wonderful job.  You can tell there is much joy and pride having dad and daughter working together. 

On this album, there a few songs that you could consider “secular” (California, Billy the Kid, Feeling No Pain, Bye Bye Baby) but many of the remaining songs would definitely fall into the “Christian” genre. And these Christian songs are divided into songs of doubt, searching, questioning and surrendering, acceptance and praise for Jesus Christ.  Real feelings in real songs.

While all the songs are excellent, there are a few that stand out. 

California, a sarcastic view and description of the state of California.  We wonder why anyone would want to live there.  But for some reason it does draw the artist.

On the title track, Long examines the division in our country, politically and socially.  It’s not till the end do you see where he has been leading us. Or more accurately where we should be…The Other Side of the Road.  This song has a real “tent revival” feel.

I Don’t Like it When Things Go Well has an early The Byrds groove. It’s one of those songs of doubt and searching.

The most obvious “country and western” entry, Billy Kid and Jesse James is a mini history lesson with some liberties.  A story of understanding that sometimes, where you are is better than where could have been.

A song about what most true Christian’s experience, A Foolish Man is about coming to terms what our shortcoming are and the daily battle we have with doubt and to be right with Jesus.  Sometimes we just feel “foolish” in the eyes of Jesus.

Feeling No Pain…a look at a very serious social issue…alcoholism.  While Long has rarely, if ever had an alcoholic drink in his life, the effects of alcoholism has touched him in many ways with family and friends.  And he has felt the pain from people who are “Feeling No Pain."

Talkin’ to the Devil the Other Day is about what we face daily; consciously or sub-consciously.  We are tempted. We have a choice, but will we make the right one?  Will we?  Forgive him, but the Dylan influence is very evident here.

Bye Bye Baby…a song of loss, separation and acceptance …a love song?  Or coming to terms with what the world was doing and the decision to leave that life.  And for those who don’t have a turntable…now you at least know what one sounds like.

Bottomline, this album shows, growth, maturity and insight into the human experience of life and Jesus.  Real songs about real people and real emotions. Give it a listen.

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4.5 Stars out of 5