2005

Ctr. Alt. Country

Four stars - very good indeed

As a thank you for everyone who bought his excellent latest CD "Hobo Dream" and for the people who saw him in concert in 2004 which proved to be a fantastic year for Markus Rill, Germany's pre-eminent singer-songwriter has released "The Hobo Companion", an album that serves as a bona fide follow-up to his last album.

"The Hobo Companion" contains thirteen tracks, among them splendid covers of songs by Townes Van Zandt ("Waiting Around To Die"), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings ("One More Dollar"), Robert Earl Keen ("So I Can Take My Rest") and Johnny Cash ("Folsom Prison Blues" recorded live at the Orange Blossom Special 2004), as well as an original arrangement of "If I Needed You/Ft. Worth Blues" (van Zandt/Steve Earle) which features Rachel Harrington, an American singer-songwriter who has delighted us before.

The album contains a single song that has been released before, "No Penitentiary" (available only on a regional compilation), numerous excellent live recordings ("A Girl Called Jo”, “Hobo Dream”, “Nowhere Begins”, “Run, Run, Run” and "Where Do We Go From Here?" - another duet with Rachel Harrington, recorded live at the Neusüdende fall festival in 2004) and a couple of demos ("To Kill A Mockingbird" and "Wild Blue Heart"). There is not a weak moment on the entire album.

"The Hobo Companion" is available at the ridiculously low price of 10 Euro through the artist's website and the Blue Rose and Glitterhouse online mail order shops. This jewel is a must!

Original Dutch review at: www.ctrlaltcountry.be