On the face of it an instrumental, flamenco tinged album by one man and his acoustic guitar, influenced by such cheery events as being diagnosed with chronic depression and the death of both parents doesn't really sound like the most appealing thing in the World. When the album is the first solo release by RM Hubbert, formerly of El Hombre Trajeado, big favourites of mine in the past, I've got more than enough goodwill to give it a chance.
The album has been around for a few months now, and has lived in my computer for a fair while too, where it has racked up a lot of plays, and keeps picking up more. It's an album I keep coming back to over again, unlike a lot of the music that comes my way.
Technically Hubbert is an incredibly good guitarist, but there's nothing showy or self indulgent about the music on the album. Instead the emotion of the songs shines through, whether it be happy or sad. It's wonderfully excecuted, brilliantly crafted and packed with soul and feeling.
Don't let the opening paragraph put you off or scare you away, First & Last is a gorgeous album, and well worth giving a try.
Glasgow Podcart - 6th March 2010
It takes until about 30 seconds into ‘For Maria’, the second song on the RM Hubbert album ‘First & Last’. Three chords repeated and left hanging in the air to resonate the perfect sadness of a cold morning only to be wiped away by an incessant bassline and progression so sweet and delivered so cleanly that it genuinely catches my breath. After those first 30 seconds I realise I was not prepared for this.
‘First & Last’ is my introduction to RM Hubbert’s world. If you haven’t experienced it yet then be prepared for an assault on your very soul. This collection of instrumental guitar music is as delicately performed and carefully composed as any instrumental album I have ever heard. I am loathe to compare RM to anyone else but obvious comparison’s can be made with Rodrigo Y Gabriela, certainly the opening track ‘Hey There Mr Bone’ owes a debt stylistically to many other percussionist/guitar players but it is a lazy comparison.
There is a deep and heartfelt sadness which infuses almost every note played throughout the album. I find myself not even considering the simply outstanding guitar playing. ‘Tipsy Tapsy’ is a lesson in wild-fingered control, ‘Mrs Saunders’ has one of the sweetest arpeggios I have EVER heard, but these are trivial asides because no matter how impressed I am with the phenomenal guitar playing it is melodically where RM has climbed his Everest. I am seriously at pains to think of ever hearing another talented guitar player who has produced a collection of songs this good while also keeping a lid on their excessive over-playing AND avoiding melodic clichés.
‘First & Last’ really is that good. ‘By Reference’ is a case in point, almost nothing happens at all for the first 2 minutes, just a repetitive to the point of being atonal vibration of the strings underneath the slowest of bass lines. When the tension is finally resolved RM sets his fingers free but there is a control and restraint which allows the melody to come to the fore. This is an outrageous display of good taste more than anything, something most guitarists of equitable talent have in very short supply.
‘First & Last’ is a triumph of melodic nous and raw, sedated talent. Each of the songs on the album are abject lessons in how to compose something beautiful without allowing your ability to stomp all over the finished product. RM Hubbert has produced something truly beautiful and incredibly rare.