Lillie Ruth Bussey

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Lillie Ruth Bussey (Bianka Brunson) is a nomadic singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, noise maker, thinker, artist and poet. She has called Philadelphia, New York, Delaware, Washington DC and Baltimore her home(s) in the past years. Lillie Ruth Bussey is interested in... Finding out what it all is...Containing as much knowledege as possible, before the night is over....

Actually, Bussey was Brunson's maternal grandmother, but it's under her name that Brunson lovingly creates and performs quirky folk-pop. Brunson thinks the songs befit her grandmother's spirit, and that she'd enjoy them if she were alive today. Thus the name. And really, you'd have to be some sort of monster not to enjoy such warm-hearted, homespun tunes. Taking up simple instruments and what sound like toys, Brunson delivers her aptly titled new album Truthful Little Ditties so sweetly and honestly that it feels like a grade-school valentine. As she dresses up her voice in echoes over a gently plunking keyboard melody and beat on "Here We Are," she recalls fellow Philly home-taper Tickley Feather--at least until she starts whistling and humming. "Doors Locked" is similarly sparse, but this time Brunson's dulcet singing is unadorned and all the better for it. (PW)

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