Reviews
New Classic Music, July 2012
“ No Yodeling On The Radio With a voice that would have fit perfectly in the 50's and 60's era of country music, Karen Collins has a lot in common with artists like Loretta Lynn and especially Rose Maddox. You can tell this lady loved Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers and probably both Loretta and Rose. Her voice is a quirky mix of country charm and offbeat humor. ”
Driftwood Magazine, May 2012
“Country music is as good as it's ever been, Ray Price once remarked in an interview backstage at the 2008 Country USA music festival in Oshkosh, WI. “The problem is that they don't always play country.” If Price should ever see Karen Collins & the Backwoods Band in action, he surely would give thumbs up for the Washington DC-based honky tonkers whose original music is rooted in the late 1940s through the late 1960s. Song selection, sentiment and stylistically, it's all here. Western Virginia native Karen Collins sings in a mountain primitive country-ish voice that's a cross between Kitty Wells and Dolly Parton. ”
3rd Coast Music, April 2012
“First thing you notice about Collins is not so much her voice as her delivery - pure, authentic honky tonk. She's been compared to Loretta Lynn and Hazel Dickens, but I'm thinking the timbre of Kay Adams, though not so much her hardcore material (Adams' best album was called Alcohol & Tears, I think you get the picture). A gen-u-ine Virginia coalminer's daughter, Collins, with that slightly gaunt Appalachian look, fronts a Washington, DC, band, featuring spot on guitarist Ira Gitlin, that plays classic country, as Don Walser used to say, "Top 40 hits - from 40 years ago," but Collins also writes material that fits right in (though I'm not sure about the Visa reference). Seven of the 12 numbers are originals, the title track cowritten with Arty Hill.”
The Muse’s Muse, February 2008
“For the country fan, Tail Light Blues is a cut above even what is called roots music these days. Karen Collins is an authentic country voice in the style of Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, and her band can rock like Sun Records, with virtuoso picker Ira Gitlin nailing notes all over the place.”
Maverick Magazine UK, November 2007
“A coal miner’s daughter from southwest Virginia, Karen Collins is a genuine down-home country singer in the old-school class of Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson and Jean Shepard. On this, her third album, she makes modern country singers like Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert and Sara Evans sound positively pop in comparison.”
Sing Out Magazine, Autumn 2007
“It doesn't get any more country than Karen Collins. She offers straight ahead country in the style of the classics with twangy guitars, emotional pedal steel and a cry in her voice. Original songs about love gone wrong, love gone right and playing the guitar plus some great covers, including "Sentimental Journey" with some fine steel guitar work. Most are good boot scootin' tunes so grab your sweetie and cut a rug. ” - JA
3rd Coast Music, August 2007
“Collins has a great quote from ex-ET pedal steel player Buddy Charleton, who guests on two tracks, ‘I wish Ernest could have heard your songs,’ the person you can easily imagine singing them, especially the title track, is Loretta Lynn, they’re that good, and that classic country.”
Rootsy.nu Magazine, August 2007
“Tail Light Blues is a fantastic record, Karen Collins a shining singer who is strongly anchored in country’s traditions”
Blue Suede News, Summer 2007
“Karen has one of those voices perfect for Country music, lots of character and a little bit of an edge this one is a highly recommended entry into the Honky Tonk sweepstakes in which we are all winners!”
Indie-Music.com, May 2007
“Fans of true country music will do well to tailgate behind Karen Collins’ tail lights.”
The Wasington Post, April 2007
“Fortunately, Collins, the singer and the songwriter, is free to display the full range of her talents on ‘Tail Light Blues,’ an album that doesn't strive for rootsy charm so much as radiate it.”
AmericanaUK, April 2007
“This is a great little album. Collins has more to offer than generic Nashville fare with fine songs on show, some excellent picking from her band and guests, and some fine songwriting.”