2004

Markus Rill -The Hobo Companion

As the title suggests, "The Hobo Companion" is the ideal companion piece
to his new album Hobo Dream" (his best so far). Markus Rill from Würzburg
is Germany's top singer-songwriter, presenting the multi-faceted world of
Americana between Texas and Nashville like no other European, performing
at eye level with internationally renowned US acts. This fine
13-song-compilation, conceived by the troubadour with the soulful
sandpaper voice himself, includes various live tracks recorded at 2004's
Orange Blossom Special, the Neusüdende fall festival, and Radio Flora in
Hannover. They are complented by solo demos, studio sessions with his band
The Gunslingers and/or beautiful duets with his partner Rachel Harrington,
a young folk woman pursuing her career in Seattle. The track listing
offers a lot of variety: Original songs (old and new) stand next to
awesome cover versions of songs by Townes van Zandt, Gillian Welch, Robert
Earl Keen, Steve Earle and Johnny Cash. At this level of quality, The Hobo
Companion" is not only a terrific companion piece for his numerous fans
but an album that can win him new followers on its own merits.

Thomas Dewers (Chill Music)