Kickin’
up a song
Mountain
Xpress
by Cecil Bothwell on 08/13/2007
It would be easy to dismiss the Buckerettes, Asheville’s
only cowgirl band, as a novelty act. A cowgirl band? OK.
Right. Easy, that is, unless you’ve heard them.
Sure, it’s a shtick, but they’ve got the goods
in those saddlebags, and they deliver.
Last Saturday night, the Buckerettes had booked a paying
gig at the Grey Eagle Music Hall, but something more important
interfered with that plan. It became apparent that their
friend Mary Anne Bowers needed help with extraordinary
medical bills incurred during ongoing treatment for metastatic
breast cancer. The gig morphed into a fund-raiser, complete
with a silent auction of a wealth of donated crafts, books
and art work. Then jazz pianist/music producer Aaron Price
and jazz-fusion artist Jar-E joined the musical line-up.
But the stars of the packed show were the cowgirls.
Though they’ve only played together for a few years,
Robin Cape, Deb Criss and Roberta Greenspan are seasoned
pros and the music they make together is a treat. Whether
it was a thematic (if slightly twisted) ballad like Cape’s
“Zen Cowgirl” (“She’s traded her
horse for a pillow, now she’s riding the great astral
plane ...”), one of Greenspan’s fired-up fiddle
instrumentals or one of the melodic and humbly spiritual
tunes such as “Open Your Heart,” written by
Criss, every song shone. The close harmonies in the latter
typified the group’s polished performance and the
sparkle of the evident joy they share in making music
is infectious. By the end of their set the dance floor
was jammed.
Nor did they limit themselves to original material, but
ponied up cowgirl covers of songs ranging from Aretha
Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” to the Beatles’
“Ticket to Ride.” Cape’s powerful voice
lent particular strength to songs like “Fools”
or her own recent composition “Shadow Dancin’
Blues,” while Criss and Greenspan exhibited utter
delight in high-kickin’ instrumentals that play
flat-picking guitar against a fiddle in a format that
seamlessly ranges from bluegrass to classical.
The Grey Eagle Show once again hints that the Buckerettes
may soon be little more than a legend in these western
hills. There are bigger pastures out there and these gals
know how to ride.
— Cecil Bothwell, staff writer Mtn Xpress
continued from top...
Outside
of instrumentation, the Buckerettes offer their harmonies
with dexterity and grace. In a live setting, the gals
have been known to drop their instruments entirely and
offer up sweetly blended acapella compositions that are
at once inspiring and a joy to listen to. These gals;
composers, musicians, entertainers and skilled stylists
of musical favorites, have built a following that resonate
with their authentic and passionate performances.
Whether
it’s a private party of event, concert or festival,
a Buckerette show is laughter, energy and presence. It’s
more than a musical experience, its about the love these
women have for their instruments and for their voices
woven together. It’s about the songs and stories
that connect them with those in the audience who have
come to listen, to dance or to just simply be with them
in their joy of making music. Their music is rooted in
a love of this world, its mysteries and inspirations and
a clear sense of the positive path one can walk in relationship
to it all.
The
Buckerettes’ debut album, Live and unfenced, explores
a wide range of musical ground. Rooted in strong accomplished
songwriting, The Buckerettes’ simple but lush instrumentation
is anchored firmly by Robin Cape’s solid bass lines.
Deb Criss decorates the space between with her solid rhythm
and surprise delicate solo guitar work and Roberta Greenspan
provides energetic peaks and curves with her virtuoso
fiddling. Their treatment of traditional tunes like Milkshake
Mama and Cool Water are subtly unique but will certainly
appeal to those who grew up hearing them, while the bands
original songs will become glued in your head for days.
Spend
a little time with the Buckerettes and you’ll walk
away inspired…to dance, to engage with life and
to have MORE FUN….That’s why they play together
and why folks keep calling them back for more
