Becky Buller – Songs That Sing To Me
This album is filled with 11 cover songs that’ll mostly be instantly recognizable & some not so much. Nonetheless, the performances are well-developed & entertaining. Some work is better suited than others, but Becky Buller (lead vocal/fiddle/clawhammer banjo) has an attractive country-inflected voice, just rural enough without getting too commercialized. James Taylor’s “Millworker” is an appropriate cover with mandolin, acoustic guitars, fiddle & banjo—a soothing cover to say the least.
Produced by Stephen Mougin (guitar/harmony) & recorded in Tennessee, Songs That Sing To Me (Drops Sept 5/ Dark Shadow Records/37:25) is an ambitious personal project since the songs that aren’t necessarily Country in tradition are rewired to fit the genre. Negotiating this is what makes most of these songs shine. Everything is still played quite proficiently.
There are certain songs that no matter how well they’re played & sung, don’t translate into a different alternate genre. Paul Simon’s “Hazy Shade of Winter” is well done, but it has no lift. Especially if a listener is accustomed to the original Simon & Garfunkel version. Becky’s voice & the arrangement are commendable as an effort, but it’s not ideally suited.
Whereas “Auction At the Home Place” & “Wall Around Your Heart” are much better. Becky’s voice is far more applicable & the homegrown style has just enough cinnamon, cider & tobacco.
Another James Taylor cover, “Jellyman Kelly” – is basically a novelty tune, & I guess a little humor can’t hurt an album. It’s played well, but in my opinion it’s not necessary. Banjo lovers will enjoy “Ride On By” — an energetic, enthusiastic arrangement that features fiery playing & Becky’s terrific voice, accentuating the music with skill. It just sounds like the musicians had fun playing & recording this tune. The arrangement goes from fast to slow & is superbly woven. “Reach” is another big winner. Wonderful performances. Two of the best in this collection. Becky Buller certainly knows her fiddle, her voice & her music. A keeper.
Highlights – “Millworker,” “Auction At the Home Place,” “Wall Around Your Heart,” “Ride On By,” “Muddy Waters,” & “Reach.”
Musicians – Bela Fleck (banjo), Ricky Scaggs (harmony/mandolin), Alison Brown (banjo), Jim Lauderdale (vocals), Sierra Hull (harmony/mandolin), Cheryl White (lead & harmony/bass), Daniel Hardin (bass/harmony), Byron House, Missy Raines, Jeff Picker & Mickey Harris (basses), Jake Eddy, Chris Eldridge, Jeff Hyde & Jeff Haley (guitars), Jacob Groopman, Molly Tuttle & Sharon White (harmony/guitars), Mike Smartt (intro guitar), Justin Moses (resophonic guitar), Jay Starling (resophonic guitar/harmony), Wes Lee, Casey Campbell, Timmy George, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Lauren Price Napier (mandolins), Ned Luberecki (banjo/harmony), Abigail Washburn (vocal/cello banjo), Jeremy Stephens (banjo), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Juno Fleck (vocal/fiddle), Billy Womack (intro fiddle), Dan Tyminski, Andrea Zonn, Alan Bartram, Jana Mougin (harmony), Theo Fleck (vocal/percussion), Romy Haley (vocal/flute).
Cover photo courtesy of Scott Simontacchi. CD @ Amazon & https://darkshadowrecording.com/becky-buller & https://beckybuller.com/lyrics/