BECKY BULLER, ’TWEEN EARTH AND SKY

BECKY BULLER
’TWEEN EARTH AND SKY

Dark Shadow Recordings
114681

   Becky Buller has been a regular on the bluegrass scene for over a decade now, although at times she has flown under the radar. The fact is, however, she’s a triple threat who is finally getting some much-deserved recognition with her new album ’Tween Earth And Sky.

By triple threat, I’m referring to Buller’s gifts as a lovely singer, an excellent fiddler, and  a very good songwriter with songs penned for Ricky Skaggs, Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, and many others. A Minnesota native who grew up in a musical family, Buller came South to take part in Eastern Tennessee State University’s bluegrass program while getting a degree in public relations. She then toured and recorded with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike followed by a couple of seasons with Darin & Brooke Aldridge. Produced by Stephen Mougin, who also owns Dark Shadow Recording on which this album was released, the project finds Buller backed by a wonderful array of guest musicians ranging from Tim O’Brien and Sam Bush to Dale Ann Bradley, Amanda Smith, and too many others to list.

Right off the bat, the first song “Nothin’ To You” showcases all three of Buller’s talents with a driving yet sweet sound. It’s one of many wonderful cuts. Other highlights include “Queen Of The Mountain Bootleggers,” the multi-layered a cappella “I Serve A God That Can Raise The Dead,” the delightfully creepy “Didn’t Die,” and the beautiful Civil War song “Amos And Sarah.” Buller also recreates Bill Monroe’s “Southern Flavor” (using the words that Monroe asked DeWayne Mize and Bill Guy to write for the tune), which is sung as a fabulous duet by Buller and Peter Rowan. (www.darkshadowrecording.com)DH