Martin Gaughan Roberts
Album: MGR
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.martingaughanroberts.com

When it comes to the recording process, Martin Gaughan Roberts, is about as old school as you can get. One man, one guitar, one take, it's about as stripped back as you can be and still leave the skin on.

It's pretty much the same process he applies to his songs, he's a man that makes as much use of silence as he does the carefully picked notes and chords on his guitar. And, and I'm sure Martin will agree here, whilst he's not the best vocalist you're ever going to hear, he does have a voice that's just about perfect for the rambling blues he's such an affectionate player of.

The way "MGR" was recorded means that it might not be as perfect as a lot of albums you get to hear. That's not a criticism of the recording process, the sound on the album is pretty much on the mark. It's more than during any four minute discourse there's always the chance of stumbled word, clipped note etc. On this album you get the chance to hear them and it all feels totally right.

There is a timeless quality to the songs, they could have been written pretty much any time in the last sixty or more years, even though Martin penned the whole album himself. It's just the words and phrases that give away the contemporary origins.

Like a lot of albums that appear to be simple in their construction, "MGR" is deceptively so. The way Martin makes you of voice, guitar and silence shows excellent song construction, using all three to maximum effect. It means you end up with an album that is particularly moving.

Lyrically and musically there are some very interesting songs across the album of which two highlights are "Sempre Pui", the only foreign language song on the album and one that creates as evocative feeling of a Mexican border village as it speaks to a wider, more considerate world and reminded me of Tom Russell.

"America" is the second track that is a real stand out, which is quite strange because it almost feels quiet and unassuming when it starts. It's a song that explores the contradictions in that country, including a powerful spoken section, which alone gives it a stand out quality.

"MGR" has been spending a lot of time on my headphones, it's a great album in which to explore the quiet time, when you want music to reflect and muse to, this album definitely gives you that.

Martin Gaughan Roberts takes the simple approach to the way he does albums and that includes the way they are put together. The packaging is minimal and the albums run off in small batches, but the content, where it really matters, is right on the button.

Neil King