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Between Earth and Sky Robin Bullock Maggie's Music, P.O. Box 4144, Annapolis, MD 21403 An often charming cross-pollination between traditional Celtic and Appalachian traditions, Between Earth & Sky, led by Robin Bullock's flat-picked 12-string guitar and modern (as opposed to Renaissance) cittern, this compilation offers a high standard of musicianship and inspiration. Although some of the tunes, particularly those of the blind Irish harpist and composer Turlough O'Carolan, are truly ancient, their presentation and arrangement are distinctly modern and accessible, sometimes employing musical newcomers such as the dobro and saxophone. Other offerings, such as "Stefan and Lizs Waltz" and the title track "Between Earth and Sky," are Bullock's own compositions, while the former piece is delightfully lilting, the latter seems rambling and unfocusedor perhaps simply undistinguished by contrast. A certain unevenness pervades the CD, which seems to switch from appealing and innovative to tracks that are inspirationally diluted and suffering from blurred vision, too often the consequence of musical eclecticism or fusion. Nevertheless, Earth & Sky has its moments, particularly "Soldiers Return," inspired by a poem by Robert Burns, and "Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady," one of the finest of the hundred or so surviving compositions of harpist O'Carolan. The CD ends on a particularly captivating note called "Tiger Baby's Lullaby," composed by Bullock and supplemented by the graceful glissando of Mike Auldridge's dobro slide guitar. Overall, its patches of unevenness of inspiration do not distract from the merits of Earth & Sky. Although not a CD for purists, those who approach Bullock's work with an open mind will find rewards in what is obviously a heartfelt tribute to the tradition of Celtic music and its Appalachian permutations.

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