KAREN HUDSON, singer-songwriter
New York City singer songwriter Karen Hudson often spends time gazing at the Hudson River, reflecting and writing about life’s conundrums. No matter how far her thoughts drift, no matter the song style she chooses to sink into, there’s no denying where she’s from.

Karen Hudson proudly pours on the twang in her latest independent EP Hudson River View. This five-song offering gives a quick cross-section of life in a city bolstered by resilience and perseverance, love riddled with doubt, and rollicking honky-tonks after all the fussin’ and fightin’ is said and done. Hudson River View features a blend of country, rock, pop, and folk inspired by singers Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt, and the song craft of Nick Lowe, the Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, the Jayhawks and Wilco. Hudson River View is a tribute to Hudson’s passion and knowledge for great songs and showcases her growth as an artist.

After the release of the acoustic-based Bittersweet in 2000, Karen’s gathered together some of New York’s finest, seasoned musicians to back up her up on Hudson River View. These are not the type of musicians that need yet another project to work on, but the kind of musicians that just like playing great songs. Included on Hudson River View are Skip Krevens (Western Caravan) on pedal steel guitar, Jimmy Nations (Jimmy Nations Combo) on the Gibson, Dante Piacenza (ex-Sweet William) on the Strat, Joe Kross (Steam Donkeys) on drums. Mike Biamonte and the mysterious Willy Playlow round out the rhythm section on bass. Special guests on “Hudson River Blue” include Elena Skye (Demolition String Band) on mandolin, and Michael Carlucci (Winter Hours) on guitar. “These talented people really make my songs shine,” says the songwriter.

Produced by Karen Hudson, and recorded and mixed by engineer Wayne Dorell at the Pigeon Club (Yo La Tengo, Whiskeytown, Health and Happiness Show) in Hoboken, mastered by the masterful Bob Irwin, the EP kicks off with the first of three original compositions; the quick-witted “I Thought I’d Die” followed by “If You Were Mine” a self-effacing pop tune and the CD’s title song, the ballad “Hudson River Blue.” Closing out the disc are Hudson’s well-crafted renditions of two all-time country favorites; a swinging version of Hank Williams’ classic “Lovesick Blues” and an upbeat, inspired cover of the country classic “Honky Tonk Merry Go Round.” Keep your ears peeled for a hidden track as well.

Hudson performs her urban cowgirl brand of country-rock music, folk and pop regularly in NYC and around the tristate area, including shows at The Lakeside Lounge, The Parkside Lounge, The Living Room, CB’s 313 Gallery, Continental, Acme Underground, The Cutting Room, Sidewalk Cafe and Hank’s Saloon, with the Karen Hudson River Band, a real live honky tonk outfit, including Skip Krevens on lead guitar (Western Caravan), Jon Light on pedal steel (New Jack Ramblers), Joe Kross on drums (Steam Donkeys), Skip Ward (Nitro Express, Demolition String Band), and California girl Maureen Russell on background vocals and percussion. The fine folks that back her up, are some of the best twang warriors around. They know what supports the singer, serves the song, and entertain the throngs. Hudson’s silvery vocals, and easy country rock style, part Chryssie Hynde, part Patsy Cline, lay comfortably on a bed of weeping pedal steel. In the past few years, Karen has shared the stage with local luminaries Buddy Woodward and the Nitro Express, the Jimmy Nations Combo, Demolition String Band, Orville Davis, Golden and Carillo, Lenny Kaye and has opened for such artists as Walter Salas-Humara and Kate Jacobs.

In addition, she has written and designed an acclaimed songwriting book for kids, Songwriter Journal, published by Tangerine Press/Scholastic, Inc.