Becky Buller: “The Perfect Gift” (2022) CD Review

Becky Buller is a talented singer, songwriter and musician working in the bluegrass realm. Songs that she has written or co-written have been recorded by such artists as Ricky Skaggs, Infamous Stringdusters, Rhonda Vincent, The Travelin’ McCourys, and Molly Tuttle. She is a member of the First Ladies Of Bluegrass, and also has a strong solo career. Her new album, The Perfect Gift, is her first full-length holiday release, and it contains quite a bit of original material. On this album, she is joined by Barry Bales on bass, Daniel Hardin on bass, Todd Parks on bass, Ron Block on banjo and guitar, Sierra Hull on mandolin and backing vocals, Wes Lee on mandolin and backing vocals, Ned Luberecki on banjo, Brandon Bostic on guitar, Dan Tyminski on guitar, Jake Eddy on guitar and backing vocals, and Chris Brown on drums and percussion, along with special guests on certain tracks.

Becky Buller opens this album with a cover of Wham’s “Last Christmas,” a pop song that has taken its own place in the regular holiday fare. While I was visiting my family, I discovered that there is even a movie based on this song, and it was co-written by Emma Thompson. Is there any further proof needed that this is a weird world? Anyway, Becky Buller delivers a totally enjoyable rendition. Yeah, the song works as bluegrass. I particularly like Ron Block’s work on banjo. Todd Livingston plays resophonic guitar on this track, and Stephen Mougin provides backing vocals. (By the way, I couldn’t help myself, I ordered a copy of the Last Christmas Blu-ray disc.) “Last Christmas” is followed by “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.” This is a pretty rendition, especially because of Becky Buller’s vocal performance, but also her work on strings. On this track, she plays fiddle, octave fiddle and viola. Sierra Hull (who is also a member of the First Ladies Of Bluegrass) delivers some nice work on mandolin.

The first of the album’s original songs is “Mary Rocked Her Baby,” this one written by Lisa Aschmann and Becky Buller. It is delivered a cappella, with special guests The Fairfield Four joining her on vocals. Oh yes, things turn wonderfully soulful on this track. As you might guess, there is some incredible vocal work here. This is the kind of music that could make believers of us all. “Heard up in heaven was an angels choir/Singing hallelujah ‘til the hills caught fire/Mary rocked her baby, Mary rocked her baby.” It’s followed by another original number, “The Box,” this one composed by Becky Buller and April Verch. This one has a sweet, cheerful, pleasant bluegrass sound. I love Ned Luberecki’s work on low banjo. Here Becky Buller creates a warm scene of home, recalling the excitement of childhood when bringing out some of the holiday decorations. “My little hand took Grandma’s sleeve/I loudly whispered, is it finally time/Caught my daddy’s eye and sat back down/Mama simply smiled.” This song takes me back to my childhood, bringing back memories of my parents bringing out the crèche and setting up the figurines.

Things then get fun with her cover of “A Marshmallow World,” featuring some wonderful, jazzy guitar work. Pat Bergeson plays both electric and acoustic guitar on this track. Rhonda Vincent joins Becky Buller on vocals, and the two add a playful spoken word section in the middle. “Mmm, will you pass me some more hot chocolate, Becky?/Absolutely, Rhonda, are you a fan of flavors in your hot chocolate?” What I like in my hot chocolate is Kahlua. “It’s a yum yummy world made for sweethearts/Take a walk with your favorite girl.” Their voices sound so good together. Then Sharon White joins Becky Buller on vocals on “Anna,” another original number. Anna is a character mentioned briefly in one of the gospels, an old woman described as a prophetess who was at the temple when Jesus was presented. That’s followed by “Merry Macaroni Art,” also an original composition. This is a lighter, more playful number, as you might guess from its title. “Who knew you could do so many things with noodles?/There must be oodles.” Becky’s young daughter Romy provides some vocal work on this one. But what I like most about this track is its instrumental section, particularly Becky’s work on fiddle and Pat Bergeson’s work on guitar.

Becky Buller puts her own spin on “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” picking up its pace and making it an enjoyable song. Becky plays both fiddle and clawhammer banjo on this track. Special guest Tim O’Brien joins her on vocals, and Jake Eddy delivers some excellent work on guitar. “Rejoice, rejoice,” indeed! Then special guests Vince Gil and Ricky Skaggs join her on vocals and mandolin respectively on “Tell Me The Story Of Jesus.” Becky Buller plays guitar on this track, which has a sweet, gentle folk sound. A pretty rendition. That’s followed by “Our Gingerbread House,” a delightful original song, a lighthearted number, a love song. “We’ll make it so cozy and mistletoesy/It’ll be you-know-who’s favorite stop on his route/We’ll be snug and toasty Christmas day/Peeking through sugar glass window panes/At the marshmallow snowmen who rode down the lane/In front of our gingerbread house.” This track features some nice work on banjo by Ned Luberecki. The album concludes with “The Savior Is Here,” a cheerful original song featuring more good work on banjo.

CD Track List

1. Last Christmas
2. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
3. Mary Rocked Her Baby
4. The Box
5. A Marshmallow World
6. Anna
7. Merry Macaroni Art
8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
9. Tell Me The Story Of Jesus
10. Our Gingerbread House
11. The Savior Is Born

The Perfect Gift was released on December 2, 2022.