LIGHT UP THE SKY Review by Prof. John Stackhouse

LIGHT UP THE SKY Review by Peter Timmis of Cross Rhythms UK

Letter from Franklin Pyles, President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada 

Music that is creative, exuberant, fresh, strong, impacting and loving. Jon Buller has a gift of creating and presenting songs and music that will impact your heart and challenge your perspectives. His deep faith commitment provides the motivation, and his genuine love of life is reflected in the joy expressed. I just want you to know that I love his music.
Willard Thiessen
President, founder and host of ‘It’s a New Day’ – Trinity Television
Winnipeg, MB - CANADA

In The Hymn Project, we find what we badly need to find: skilful music and rich lyrics that can fill in the empty spaces left by so many of today's thin praise songs. What a high standard is set by these deceptively simple arrangements of classic hymns! Older Christians will rejoice to hear these good old hymns refreshed; middle-aged types (such as I) will be inspired by these clear declarations of the gospel; and younger listeners will perhaps finally realize why so many of us miss "the old songs." This really is an album for everyone.
Prof. John Stackhouse
Regent College
Vancouver, BC - CANADA

Actually, this is not simply a Jon Buller album but rather an album put together by three incredible singers including Jon. The other two are Nolan Balzar and Kevin Aichele who also joined me as background singers on my recent Symphony project. Jon, Nolan and Kevin teamed up under producer Olaf Pyttlik to record a very simple acoustic, vocal heavy, charming and quite moving recording of several of their favorite hymns and gospel songs.  My own son Jesse ended up mixing the final project and so I’ve had the privilege of hearing these versions many times.  The arrangements are quite honouring to the original and familiar versions   - but there is enough variance to keep one smiling and a little off balance. Mostly, it’s about singing – great singing and great harmonies. I think folks are going to love it.
Steve Bell on 'the Hymn Project'
Juno Award winning singer/songwriter
Winnipeg, MB - CANADA

Jon Buller's 10th album does not disappoint. From it's overall crunchy classic-rock feel to the eclectic mixtures of other musical motifs and meanderings - all enjoyable and, yes, even fun to listen to - are indelibly singable. I found myself smiling, laughing, singing along and wanting to hit the repeat button and turn up the volume on many of these cuts. The songs are just so fun! Not all songs are church-congregation-singable but a good number are. And besides, when you've enjoyed an album this much there's a lot of thanksgiving that rises up from your hearts to God for such talent and creativity - and isn't that worship?
Gareth Goossen on 'Light Up the Sky' 
Director of makeusholy 
Toronto, ON - CANADA

LIGHT UP THE SKY is not only a title, but a functional banner over Jon's life. His energy and pure joy in leading worship is an integral part of every song, regardless of style. This CD is a wonderful blend of infectious joy, theological insight, and reflective ponderings. The bursts of colour and sounds of thunder is the Spirit in Jon - and the Spirit in our voice. Jon subtly, or maybe not so subtly, invites us to use our voice for God's praise - not the thunder of empty irritation and attitude. So... light up the sky with His praise.
Paul Wartman
Senior Pastor, Peace Portal Alliance Church
Surrey, BC - CANADA

Buller's latest album shows listeners why he won Covenant's Praise & Worship Song of the Year in 2006, why he was nominated for a Juno prior to that, and why he is going to be around for quite awhile, in all likelihood garnering more award recognition for the energetic yet elegant work found on "Light Up the Sky". Buller's wide spectrum of instrumental competence, intuitive understanding of the direction in which popular genres are moving and ability to synthesize such threads with more timeless tapestries and sounds engenders a collection of songs fit for a variety of demographics. Whether you're buying it for yourself, the teen in your life or the relative who grew up spinning Chuck Berry 45s, if they are a part of the community who appreciates good music they'll be sure to thank you. Starfield's Tim Neufeld compliments Buller's "Kingdom of Heaven" in a way that beckons one to play it 'just one more time,' Jon's rendition of "Have Mercy (Everything We Need)" with Fresh I.E. illustrates how a song of quality can transcend the genre in which it was created and "There's a Life" opens the firecracking album with a sound that makes everyone pay attention to the (always important) lyrics in Buller's music.
Taylor Strummer
fan on iTunes review of 'Light Up the Sky'