The latest in this series of EPs from one of Scotland’s most talented and original musicians comprises 4 tracks and they are quite a hard listen, but ultimately worth it. Recorded live at Hug and Pint in December 2017, this is Hubby very much solo, with only sparse acoustic guitar.
‘The False Bride’ was originally done with Alasdair Roberts singing (not sure to be honest who wrote it (reckon it’s that Trad Arr person again – Ed)) and is a trad-sounding (see?) ballad about finding out one’s love is getting married to someone else, ho hum, not a lot of laughs but it is very affecting.
‘For Joe’ (which was on ‘Thirteen Lost and Found’) has some deft guitar work, amazing how much one man can do with just a few strings – instrumental but very dark.
‘The Dog’ (from ‘Telling the Trees’) was a Kathryn Joseph collaboration and this version is starker, if that is possible!
‘I Can Hold You Back’ (also from ‘Telling the Trees’) was again a collaboration (with Kathryn Williams) and for BM’s money is probably the best song on here, a very sobering musing on love gone wrong. It sounds pretty desolate, a turbulent one-man storm of strumming and wounded hurt – the usual pre-Christmas cheer at the Hug and Pint, then!
Another very personal release and very worthy of a listen – here’s to complete Recovery in 2018!