Announcing the release of "Hard Times," the debut recording from the new, extremely gifted traditional vocalist Karie Oberg. With a life long dedication to Irish, English, Scottish and American folk music, Karie Oberg interprets the material on "Hard Times" with one foot firmly planted in the traditional, while at the same time keeping an eye on the future. Karie Oberg is sparsely accompanied on "Hard Times" by John Wright and Steve Lehto (of "Lehto and Wright") on acoustic guitars and mandolins, in addition to Megan Dudle on fiddle and Greg Reierson on percussion. Featuring new arrangments of Celtic and American standards, the limited production on "Hard Times" allows the full force of Karie Oberg's vocals to dominate the songs. A must for any fan of traditional singing, Karie Oberg is a force to watch for in that field, and "Hard Times" is a good start.

Reviews of Hard Times

Folk Roots

Karie Oberg's debut album, Hard Times, puts her youthful voice behind a bunch of solid, mostly Irish lyrical pieces from writers like Robbie O'Connell and Patrick Kavanagh. Taking her cues from singers like Maura O'Connell, Oberg's voice is potentially very powerful - strongly declamatory in tone with no lack of range. While this impresses initially, as in Rambling Irishman and a dirgelike reading of Tommy Makem's Ballybay going full on at every opportunity blurs the initial attack. A more balanced apporach mixing power with restraint, as in a bluesy reading of The Blacksmith and the traditional North America, show Oberg's bittersweet tones in a personalised, distinctive light. Hard Times is an impressive opeing hand.

Rambles, A Cultural Arts Magazine

Karie Oberg sings with strength and clarity, and her debut CD Hard Times is a suitable showcase for her vocal talents. She introduces herself with an album primarily of Irish-American standards -- "Raglan Road," "Hard Times," "Come by the Hills," "The Foggy Dew"—that give her a safe if unimaginative starting point for her career.

Oberg is assisted by Minneapolis-based duo Steve Lehto (mandolin, guitars) and John Wright (guitars, bass), with additional appearances by Meghan Dudle (fiddle) and Greg Reierson (percussion). The result is a sparse presentation that keeps the spotlight on Oberg's strong vocals from start to finish.

The opening track, "Rambling Irishman," matches spritely vocals with percussive guitar for an excellent beginning. Unfortunately, there is some degree of sameness throughout the album -- a little more instrumental variety in the arrangements would have added some zing to the package, as evidenced by fuller tracks such as "Rambling Irishman," "Donald McGillavry" and "The Water is Wide," and the more experimental touches on "The Blacksmith." The humorous "Ballybay" suffers in particular, reading poorly as a dirge; the lyrics are too obviously funny for so gloomy an interpretation.

Overall, Hard Times provides a solid performance of Celtic standards; folky arrangements by Oberg and Wright prevent them from being simple retreads. Oberg's voice is the obvious star on the album, and fortunately she has the strength to carry it. I for one am looking forward to her next effort; I hope she takes a more aggressive approach and surrounds herself with the bold musical framework her voice deserves.

Green Man Review

...this CD should achieve the dual purpose of getting Ms. Oberg loads of gin in the pubs and clubs, and then having a really good quality to product to sell to the punters...