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May 2009 Singer/Songwriter (Female)
September 2008 Judging Excellence
Connector
May 2009 Singer/Songwriter (Female)
September 2008 Judging Excellence
Connector
Super Connector
Talk Radio Review by
Roll MagazineThe Erin Hobson Compact— Talk Radio(Choking Chicken Records)Perhaps the ‘90s never really left after all. The calendars have long since been recycled into something else, the tickets stubs to the... Talk Radio Review by
The Daily FreemanCertainly one of the better guitarists in the Hudson Valley area, and surely one of the only strong female soloists around, period, Red Hook’s Erin Hobson has finally come into her own with this...
Talk Radio Review by
Roll MagazineThe Erin Hobson Compact— Talk Radio
(Choking Chicken Records)
Perhaps the ‘90s never really left after all. The calendars have long since been recycled into something else, the tickets stubs to the Lilith Fair used as bookmarks to keep the place in a hundred solemn stories nearly faded into memories alone. But for the Erin Hobson Project, the ‘90s are where it’s really at, an era when polite female rock music ostensibly had something to say, and the radio was there to listen.
Talk Radio puts singer-guitarist Hobson up front, and why not? The singer-guitarist is a beguiling performer, a self-styled “female John Mayer” (according to the group’s website), which is a fair description, and could provide direction whether you’re a fan of Jessica Simpson’s ex-boyfriend or not. Hobson’s co-conspirator, Steven W. Ross, plays bass and co-wrote the songs. It’s a collaboration that works for the pair, as Talk Radio is a pleasant, inoffensive release. The music is delivered with an impressive level of warmth, and Hobson’s voice is inviting throughout.
If it’s possible to say the album has a one-two punch, it comes early in the proceedings with “Too Late” and “Crash,” on which the music delivers on the solemnity and introspection of the lyrics. On the former, the story is told by someone who knows they’re messing up, but still can’t help themselves, while the other is a bleak tale of one who doesn’t seem sure whether to be torn apart by lost love.
Talk Radio is a solid album, one which harkens back to an era not nearly as bygone as we might have imagined. —Crispen Kott
www.erinhobsoncompact.com Talk Radio Review by
The Daily FreemanCertainly one of the better guitarists in the Hudson Valley area, and surely one of the only strong female soloists around, period, Red Hook’s Erin Hobson has finally come into her own with this fine release.
Hobson has spent time in Los Angeles, and these days plays all over the area with her group, the Erin Hobson Compact. Often such luminaries like drummer Gary Burke and keyboardist Ross Rice can be seen accompanying her.
Jumping around genres like a true musician, Hobson hops between the pure pop of “Like This” and “Holding On,” the country tinged “Divide” and even the folkish, fiddle-enhanced “Brick Wall.”
The wistful title track “Talk Radio” is a high point, as are the dramatic, desire-fueled “Good Stuff,” the yearning “Crash” and the dreamy and liquid “Too Late.” The moving “Leave The Light On” brings it all home.
Her songs of life and love are sung with deep emotion and vulnerability, and played with heart and soul, so much so, you’ll want to play them over and over again. Hobson is commercial not because she blatantly pushes buttons and appeals to the lowest common denominator, but because she’s just really good.
Remember? The way it used to be.
Visit www.erinhobson.com.
David Malachowski is a guitarist, producer and freelance journalist living in Woodstock. The Freeman seeks CDs by local artists or artists appearing locally for review. Please send all CDs (please no CD-Rs or demo CDs) to Daily Freeman c/o Preview, 79 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. Talk Radio Review by
Alisa KwitneyHard to define, Easy to Love!
What do you get if you combine two parts acoustic coffee house, one part Latin jazz, and then throw in a dash of alternative rock? You get The Erin Hobson Compact. Tough to categorize, this group’s sensitivity, sensual musicality and social awareness span too many musical genres to count in one review.
Some have called Hobson a female John Mayer. On stage, she exudes a sense of unself-
conscious joy as she colors her songs with lush chords and expands them with virtuoso solos. Bassist, producer and co-writer, Steven W. Ross hits upon arrangements and provides lyrical syncopations that showcase Hobson’s impressive guitar skills and haunting vocals. At once innocent and knowing, these songs feel like the soundtrack to some perfect indie romantic film – one which hasn’t been made yet.
The debut album’s title track, “Talk Radio,” just may be an anthem for the Jon Stewart generation. There’s been industry buzz about Hobson’s music for years, but so far, she hasn’t yet found the wider audience she deserves. Talk Radio may be the album that changes all that. Alisa Kwitney, journalist and author of Vertigo Visions: Art From The Cutting Edge Of Comics Multiple quotes from industry pros by
What people are sayingAll very intimate and thoughtful and most importantly, believable. All in all, excellent. Well done Erin and Steven." Andy Newmark, drummer extraordinaire, John Lennon, Sly And The Family Stone, David Bowie, B.B. King, Carly Simon, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Rickie Lee Jones, Roxy Music, Sting, Pink Floyd, etc.
I've been a big fan of The Erin Hobson Compact's live shows for a few years now, but now
there's another reason to rejoice, their first full-length album "Talk Radio" is now available!
Produced by bassist, co-writer, and advertising guru Steven W. Ross, Erin's debut album is chock full of great songs. My favorite is "Divide," featuring a rockabilly groove set on fire with Erin's superlative fret work. Justin Foy, WDST, Radio Woodstock, Woodstock, NY
Today was my first chance to listen to your CD I'm glad I did ... I think the album is great. A terrific listen ... Bravo! Peter Erskine, Jazz drummer and composer, Steely Dan, Weather Report, Diana Krall.
Erin's voice wraps around you like a fleece blanket on an autumn evening--warm and cozy, it keeps the chill of the world off." Brian Mahoney, Editor Chronogram
Erin Hobson is certainly one of the better guitarists in the Hudson Valley area, and surely one of the only strong female soloists around, period. The Compact’s songs of life and love are sung with deep emotion and vulnerability, and played with heart and soul, so much so, you’ll want to play them over and over again. Commercial not because they appeal to the lowest common de- nominator, but because they’re just really good. Remember? The way it used to be. David Malachowski, Kingston Daily Freeman
The songs are wonderful. A great job with the production. The instrumentation is lush -- it's
really very good. Robyn Flans, celebrity journalist with Modern Drummer Magazine, The
Emmys, Oscars and Golden Globes, In Touch, American Profile, Statement Magazine Talk Radio review by Sharon Nichols by
Chronogram MagazineI love this record. I’ve been playing it on a loop for days. A feel-good album if ever there was one, Talk Radio is a 10-track trump. Not that the themes are all that chipper, mind you. Hobson’s laid-bare lyrics put the world under a microscope with a wary eye. Even so, they are hoisted up by a hopeful, upbeat musical landscape that just won’t quit. Folk pop one minute, country twang the next, there are many musical bases covered here, and the production and players are stellar. Hobson has a gift for churning out catchy, melodic tunes that adhere to the walls of your skull like Stickum. Her voice, nearly vibrato-free, is smooth, sweet, and immensely pleasing.
I’m hearing bits of Lisa Loeb, the Indigo Girls, and the Sundays here, but there’s so much more. I simply cannot get “Crash” out of my head, a glorious guitar-strumming pop tune of hope and longing. “Divide” is pure flaming rockabilly fun, fun, fun. “Good Stuff” is jazz tinged, which is not surprising, since Hobson’s background is heavily saturated in jazz guitar. The ballad “Far From Home” is contemplative and loungey. I’ve only seen Hobson perform her coffeehouse fare solo, but I hear the Compact’s live set is amazing. Catch it on November 1 and 6 at the Rhinecliff Hotel and November 20 at Hyde Park Brewing Company. www.chokingchicken.net.
Technical Requirements
Have all my own gear
Technical Requirements
Have all my own gear
