Heather Berry and Dominion Grass
Walnut Cove, North Carolina, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Reviewed 06-17-08
Heather Berry and Tony
Before Bluegrass
J.D. couldn't believe it, but Tom T. Hall and Miss Dixie released this CD on their label Blue Circle Records, and it is a CD everyone should have in their collection if they are true musicologist. This CD is Appalachia at its best, transfixing a sound from the 1920's though the 40's.
This style of music eventually evolved into what we call bluegrass today. Heather and Tony have done all they could do in preserving a long lost sound. The autoharp is prevalent in each track. Hailing from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Heather and Tony deliver the haunting sounds of this forgotten era. Tom T. Hall and Dixie Hall wrote several of the tracks including "Hazel Creek", "Hound Dog Blues", Heather Berry and Tony Mabe also penned the tune, "Public Enemy Number One", and a song ole J.D. can certainly relate to. In the South we have turnip greens, mustard greens, kale, tender greens and one green that similar to rape. (this is a green that is still waiting for the politically correct folks to come up with a name for it) Guess what, we'll call it "creecy greens" the last track on the CD which is picked wild and boiled with fat back or bacon. You put cornbread in the juice and make pot licker. I really enjoyed this track because I just happened to have a mess of these greens to cook. For a true look into American Music History don't miss out on this one. FIVE STARS JDH
- Cashbox Magazine
Heather Berry is a young lady on a mission - a mission to bring a new, fresh voice to bluegrass by winning over lots of new fans. Heather’s voice is silky smooth and sweet and To A Dove is a beautiful mixture of traditional bluegrass and old-time music. From the very first tune - You Will Always Be A Flower - to the last song, you will be amazed how this young lady’s voice shows experience at grabbing your ear to the lyrics of the song. The entire project is a delightful musical experience. To A Dove is the title track and my favorite cut and it’s a beautiful song performed to perfection with the autoharp adding an airy quality. Perrrrfect! - Bluegrass Music Profiles
Heather Berry's voice just gets prettier and prettier as time goes on, and frankly it's starting to get a bit scary. If her singing gets any more enjoyable, it's going to be hard to listen without spontaneously crying or combusting or something. You don't have to take my word for it, either - just take a look at the A-list of country and bluegrass stars who apparently jostled for a spot on her latest album. The roster includes Dixie and Tom T. Hall (who contributed five original songs to the program), Eddie and Martha Adcock, Mac Wiseman (who contributes a heartbreaking vocal on "Solid Gold Band"), Alecia Nugent, several members of the Isaacs family, Micheal Cleveland, and many more. - Bluegrass Unlimited
Discography
He Walks Beside Me
To A Dove
Before Bluegrass
Photos
Bio
Heather Berry was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, widely recognized for its role in the foundations of traditional, country and gospel music.
As a child she was influenced by the Carter family, A.P., Maybelle, and Sarah, the Stanley Brothers and Don Reno and Red Smiley. Heather listened and learned, developing her ear to intricacies and subtleties of tone, phrasing and harmony structure. She learned well.
Known for her emotive crystal clear vocals, powerful rhythm guitar and sensitive mastery of the autoharp, Heather has already won a prestigious IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Assn) award for her part in the widely acclaimed "Daughter's of Bluegrass" project.
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