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Album Description Rebecca Hoggan's "Born In East Virginia" is a culmination of her bluegrass and jazz finesse. The CD layers the outstanding musicianship of today's top acoustic players--including Todd Phillips and Darol Anger of Psychograss and Joe Craven of the Dave Grisman Quintet--with Rebecca's own singing and playing. Rebecca composed or arranged seven of the fourteen tracks and drew upon the talents of classic bluegrass and jazz composers for the rest of the material. Sugar Hill recording artist Bryan Sutton claims, "She sounds great! Her playing, especially on 'Big Mon,' is right on. I dig the vocal stylings on 'Autumn Leaves' and the true Virginia soul on 'Shenandoah.'" Rebecca's love for both picking and singing is clear on this CD. Bluegrass Unlimited's Rick Anderson explains, "Hoggan boasts an unusual double threat combination of talents-- exceptional picking skills and a gorgeous voice-- and puts both skillsets to fine use on this album." (August 2002) Recorded and co-produced by Jim Nunally, "Born in East Virginia" was released on Hoggan's independent label, Dixie Hoedown Music. Fans of Alison Krauss, Claire Lynch, and Lynn Morris-- and fans of classic, American music--are sure to love this contemporary bluegrass/Americana album. About the Artist "That gal can really pick!" claimed Mike Marshall, the Grammy winning bluegrass mandolin/guitar player. For several years now, 26 year old Rebecca Hoggan has been subtly drawing the attention of a nationwide circle of bluegrass pickers and singers. Having lived in seven cities since leaving her native Richmond, Virginia, Rebecca has made a name for herself as a solo artist as well as a dynamic band member throughout the United States. An accomplished flatpick guitarist and mandolin player, Rebecca is a welcome addition to Colorado's music community. With two solo albums and three othe CDs under her belt, Rebecca has been developing her performance skills as well as her ear for tasteful arrangements. Hoggan has performed throughout the country in various high profile bands, including her current acts, based in Boulder, Colorado: The All Night Honky Tonk All Stars and Hit & Run Bluegrass Band. She is gaining respect and recognition throughout Colorado and the West for her convincing renditions of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton songs and her tasteful mandolin playing in the popular honky tonk band. Hit & Run's inspiration draws from the driving contemporary bluegrass style of Alison Krauss & Union Station and Lonesome River Band, and at only months old won the 2002 Rockygrass Band competition. Rebecca contributes with flatpicking guitar and Krauss-inspired vocals. When performing in duo or solo situation, Rebecca tends to incorporate more complex arrangements of jazz standards into her bluegrass repertoire. Respected by her community of bluegrass musicians as well as a nationwide circle of acoustic music lovers, Rebecca's work as a full time player should continue for years to come. With no lofty expectations for her music, Rebecca's joy stems from picking with friends for the pleasure of it. Says Tim Bennett in Power Pickin' Magazine, "The best way to see Rebecca would be around a campfire; she is a singularly passionate musical force." (October 2001) Review of "BORN IN EAST VIRGINIA," Bluegrass Unlimited By Rick Anderson, August 2002 Albums that mix jazz, country, and bluegrass influences aren't that unusual. But an album that alternates straight-ahead bluegrass with straight-ahead country, and straight-ahead jazz (rather than mixing them all up together in country-inflected arrangements of bluegrass standards or swinging, bluegrass-tinged jazz instrumentals)-- that's something you don't hear every day. And while it may not sound like your cup of tea if you're a strict traditionalist, Rebecca Hoggan's second album as a leader is a charming and virtuosic exploration of a variety of musical genres that will leave all but the most stylistically hidebound in a state of bliss. Bluegrass is obviously her first love; her fleet-fingered flatpicking on "Big Mon" makes it clear how many times she's listened to Tony Rice's first Rounder album (though her second solo is both original and technically impressive), and her renditions of "High on a Mountain" and "Faithless Love" are quite tradition-minded. But her rollicking acoustic arrangement of the Loretta Lynn classic "Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (with Lovin' On Your Mind)" is a pleasant surprise, and her versions of the jazz standards "Autumn Leaves" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" are both absolutely delightful. Hoggan boasts an unusual double-threat combination of talents--exceptional picking skills and a gorgeous voice--and puts both skillsets to fine use on this album. Her all-star supporting cast (which includes Bill Evans on banjo, Darol Anger on fiddle, and Todd Phillips on bass) doesn't hurt either. There are no serious missteps on this album, though her original composition "Big Hogg" is a bit rhythmically awkward. Highly recommended overall. Review of "BORN IN EAST VIRGINIA," Power Pickin' Magazine By Tim Bennett, August 2001 As the title simply states, Rebecca was born and raised in East Virginia and her roots are highly evident in her music. After she left home to go to college, she has lived in seven different cities in the last seven years, from the west coast and back again to the east. Currently, she's living in Boulder so take advantage while you can, she may not be here long. At each location, she has immersed herself in the local acoustic scene and has let these different influences swim together to create a style that encompasses both coasts. This is equally important in both her song selection and songwriting. Deciding what to put on your first album can be a daunting task. Showing what you can do is paramount, but trying to incorporate all your influences can lead to an incomplete effort, if you tackle them individually. Rebecca's main strength is blending everything she knows into one style that is wholly unique, while avoiding redundancy. Always hungry to find someone new to pick with, she has an insatiable appetite to learn. Rebecca either wrote or arranged half of the fourteen songs on this disk. Drawing on the writing talents of Bill Monroe, Cole Porter, Loretta Lynn, J.D. Souther, Johnny Mercer, this is a bonafide acoustic CD. She can sing a country twang as easily as doing a sultry jazz number, and her picking is impressive, though at times hidden in the mix. The best way to see Rebecca would be around a campfire; she is a singularly passionate musical force. I was lucky enought to briefly meet Rebecca at the Bluegrass Festival in Lyons, though sadly I haven't had a chance to see her pick. I've listened to this album 6-7 times and am amazed at her voice, its expressiveness and range, clarity and subtlety. Rebecca is primarily a member of Howlin' Dog Moon, and my only complaint is that she doesn't see herself as a solo artist, because it is possible to do both. This is a highly infectious CD and needs to be listened to, ask your local retailer to get you a copy or visit Rebecca's website! Tim Bennett, 8/14/01 Review of "BORN IN EAST VIRGINIA," Boulder Weekly Magazine April 18, 2002 Current Boulderite Rebecca Hoggan's "Born in East Virginia" is a wonderful collaborative effort written from the heart, recalling her musical upbringing and her seven years of travels, starting in her native Virginia. The modern bluegrass feel of this album is performed with inspiring musicianship by her and her guests, with Hoggan writing or arranging half the tracks. The inner sleeve of the CD includes an admirable dedication to her music teacher from grade school, as well as a short bio on how the disc came to be. "High on a Mountain" starts off the album with a look back at the happy moments of earlier jam sessions with her friends. And "Autumn Leaves" is interestingly structured with a sort of classic jazz feel, with which her pleasant tone is accompanied only by acoustic bass during the first verse, then adding in a violin melody to offset the tune. Covers include Bill Monroe's "Big Mon," Loretta Lynn's "Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)," and even one by Cole Porter. Whether you like the sounds of folk/bluegrass or not, anyone will be inspired to listen to this album and learn about the musical journey of a true all-American girl and her experiences from the stage to the studio. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT REBECCA "That gal can really pick!" Mike Marshall, CA, Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist "She sounds great! Her playing, especially on 'Big Mon,' is right on. I dig the vocal stylings on 'Autumn Leaves' and the true Virginia soul on 'Shenandoah.'" Bryan Sutton, TN, flatpick guitar master and 2000 IBMA guitarist of the year "'Born in East Virginia' sounds great. It's always good to find out that there's another great player on the scene." Scott Nygaard, CA, Managing Editor, Acoustic Guitar Magazine "I think 'Born in East Virginia' is great. I'm impressed. Nice mix of old and new....Young good pickers are not a dime a dozen. Your CD is one of those rare ones where I instantly have to find out a little more about the artist." Ames Arnold, VA, Style Weekly Magazine "'Don't Come Home a Drinkin' has a great groove, Rebecca's album hits high notes in traditional and newgrass, and 'Autumn Leaves' is a must for fans of jazzgrass. She has the real power of a true Honky Tonk voice, with great range and subtle clarity. This CD sparkles!" Guy Errickson, CO, Helping Expressions/Front Range Music/KGNU FM-Boulder Check out the artist's website: http://www.rebeccahoggan.com Track List: 1. High On a Mountain 2. Big Mon 3. Too Darn Hot 4. Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) 5. Faithless Love 6. Bowling Green 7. Telluride Mandolin 8. East Virginia 9. Autumn Leaves 10. Big Hogg 11. Sweet Georgia Brown 12. My Honey Is in Kentucky 13. Dixie 14. Shenandoah Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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