What People Are Saying About
Robert Burton Hubele
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Review of The Sleepy Time King
Robert Burton Hubele
The Sleepy Time King
Self-produced
Known as the poet of the Blues, Hubele just keeps expanding and exploring his horizons. Blues, jazz, soundtracks, works incorporating photography (another avenue he excels at) with his music...and now an album for children and the young at heart. Released in time for the Christmas season, The Sleepy Time King is a collection of songs and stories dedicated to his Grandpa, who told him stories when he was young, and to his grandchildren, who give him great joy and inspiration. More a singer/songwriter collection than a blues album, The Sleepy Time King is a delightful collection of stories in song and spoken word that are intended to inspire as well as entertain children and to spark memories in parents and grandparents alike. This is a great item to give as a gift to the young and the young at heart. Brad Steckel provides the guitar work behind Hubele's songs and storytelling. Also performing on the album are assorted family members, Kristian Alexandrovon piano, Pat Belliveau on bass clarinet, John Lacey on pedal steel, John Hyde on acoustic bass, Andrzej Ryszka on drums and more. Together they manage to put together an album that is easy on the ears, full of delightfully entertaining stories and the perfect aid for parents and grandparents alike who are looking for the perfect tool to entertain and teach the young while putting them down for a good night's sleep. From a musical standpoint, this is right on the money. This is an album that will end up being passed down through the generations, acting as well as inspiration for parents to interject their own stories. Robert Burton Hubele does it again. Proof positive that he is not a "one-trick" pony, Canada's Poet of the Blues shows us once more at he is a masterful entertainer...no matter what he might be called upon to do.
Reflections In Blue- Bill Wilson
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Live Performance Review
"The Social Committee in our building is always looking for new ways to bring together the people who live here, believing that the more we know each other, the more we will take care of each other and the special place where we live. We invited Robert to present a night of music and stories, and he did not disappoint! Robert is so engaging as he relates the back story of his songs...funny, touching, romantic and thoughtful. His songs tell the story of his life, and his music is so connected to his words. A master guitar player, he entertained the group with his stylings and talent. The feedback from our residents has been so positive, we know that this forum will be something we include in future social functions. Thank you so much, Robert, for your talent, your good humour and your music!" (Panorama Place Social Committee)
Album Reviews of 'She Won't Talk To Me'
Reviewer: Reflections In Blue
Robert Burton Hubele & Brad Steckel
She Won't Talk To Me
Self-Produced
Often referred to as the Poet of the Blues, Hubele is a master storyteller, superb guitarist and his abilities as songwriter are unequalled. In short, he is a wordsmith of the first order. It gets no better than this. Add his stellar guitar work and smooth as silk vocals, and you have a winner. The fun does not stop there. Add the talents of guitar virtuoso Brad Steckel. Brad, a native of Easton, PA and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, has been a professional guitarist since the age of 14. Early on he toured in support of some of the best known bands in the Rock world. He has since relocated to Calgary, Alberta Canada, where he runs a state of the art recording studio. His style compliments that of Hubele beautifully, making for an album that sounds rich, full and absolutely "eargasmic", to quote an old friend of mine. Hubele is a well-rounded musician, extremely well versed in countless musical styles. His masterful work with wording earned him the title of "Poet Of The Blues." His blend of blues and a velvety-smooth jazz is relaxing, wrapping itself around the listener like that old afghan, crocheted by your Grandmother. She Won't Talk To Me is his tenth CD release, the title tune featured in the movie "No Men Beyond This Point", in which Robert Burton Hubele is featured playing the song. The CD features 11 songs penned by the master wordsmith, covering topics like life, love and death. An incredibly diverse album, She Won't Talk To Me flows from style to style, effortlessly...taking the listener on a musical journey that covers blues in many forms, soulful ballads and even a touch of country. This is the kind of album you put in the player, hit the repeat button and settle in with a nice bottle of your drink of choice...your beloved close at hand. Call him a bluesman, a singer/songwriter, a balladeer, a songster or whatever you like. This is an exceptional album from an artist who writes from wells of experience...one factor that give music power and an air of authenticity. Any way you look at it, this is a great album you won't want to miss.
Bill Wilson
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/RobertsMusicPage/?fref=nf
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=robert+burton+hubele
La Hora Del Blues - Barcelona Spain
Robert Burton Hubele's She Won’t Talk To Me. Self Production 2016.
The song that gives title to the album was included in the film No Men Beyond This Point soundtrack. Robert Burton Hubele performs the song in the film. It's also played at the end behind the credits. The popularity of the soundtrack was the perfect reason to publish a new album in collaboration with producer, guitar player and friend Brad Steckel. Once again Robert Burton Hubele reveals himself as a great performer and an excellent story teller, with subjects that explore relationships, life and love, all framed by an intimate music based on blues which also includes some jazz, pop and world music. For those who are not familiar with this Canadian singer and guitar player, I mention that the honesty, good taste and the calm way Robert performs the ten original songs included in the album will drive listeners to a delicious and bucolic sound landscape. VERY GOOD.
*****
RootsTime, Belgium Radio and On Line Magazine
Robert Burton Hubele is a Canadian singer-songwriter, who has been active since 1972 as acoustic, electric and dobro blues, jazz and rock guitarist. He worked for years in the steel industry and wrote his first song at the age of twenty. "House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals was Robert's first interest in music. Hubele hit will be interested in the music of the old blues men and later by Chuck Tracy (a seasoned musician and his roommate) in jazz. His descent from rural Alberta can also be heard in his music. Commencement 70s hit Hubele captivated by the slide dobro, after hearing Bonnie Raitt. Raitt learned to play slide guitar by Mississippi Fred McDowell. After his album Highway Of Dreams (2012) Hubele (again together with his buddy producer Brad Steckel) recently released the album She Won't Talk To Me. It is his tenth studio album with ten original songs and one hidden track.
She Won't Talk To Me is, besides the opener of the album, a song from the movie No Men Beyond This Point. It is, as most of the songs on the album, a song with a story. Here the story of the man who finds the right woman, who turns out to bein the company of the wrong man. "Life Is Funny" is a blues ballad with a positive message and "Sweet Talk" an uptempo blues song, which he was still in the prices. "Get (Down) To The Bottom," a hallucinatory raga / blues song, is biting the special duck in the blues. It's a song that no doubt remains as nahangen. "I Cried Your Name" is a country song, which refers to its country of origin and "Such A Little Thing", a song about giving and receiving, is a mid-tempo rocker swamp, which does well with this. With "Without You" the pace is revved up, and then unwinds in the country ballad "Baby Come Down". Hubele wrote, after a tour in Portugal, his impressions of the trip in the Latino rocker "Portugal". The heart rending song called "Oh Mama" is a ballad that Hubele wrote as a tribute to his mother. She lived through difficult circumstances, without ever complaining, and raised him and seven other children. The promised "hidden" track called "If You Love Christmas". It's a mid-tempo ballad, which sounds very promising and promises a great Christmas.
With She Won't Talk To Me Robert Burton Hubele again proves his versatility and musicianship. For lovers of easy blues/jazz where you can lie back and dig it, this is a Great album.
Eric Schuurmans
************************Musician, storyteller, and blue collar icon of Canadian life. Robert Burton Hubele a writer and performer of original blues-jazz, and a storyteller, has a catalogue of experiences as varied as the styling’s of his bluesy jazzy songs. Always a songwriter first, Hubele has created his tenth cd release, She Won't Talk To Me, a collection of dynamic travelling romances. As a songwriter Hubele writes about ordinary things that become extraordinary with just a little extra care.
Robert Hubele's earliest influence was the earthy beat and emotional impact of the blues as he played along with recordings of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Freddie and Albert King. His introduction to jazz, happened through Chuck Tracy, a veteran lounge musician. Listening to Chuck rehearse Robert got turned onto music from Tom Waits, Mose Allison and Fats Waller, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway and Louis Jordan. There is an inevitable country influence in Robert's music, which comes from growing up in the prairies with the songs of Hank Williams, Hank Snow, and Marty Robbins as a background to his life.
His current influences are his long time friend/producer/guitar player Brad Steckel and songwriters like John Hiatt and Patty Griffin.
I'm featured in a new movie Directed by Mark Sawers entitled "No Men Beyond This Point", in which I perform my song She Won't Talk To Me. The Movie may be playing in your city or on DVD at your video retailer. Watch for it!
If you're anywhere in the world but Canada, you might hear me playing She Won't Talk To Me behind the trailer for the film 'No Men Beyond This Point' in the next few months!
The Vancouver Premier was at the Rio Theatre on Sept.26. We found the movie a hilarious romp! Really funny with a very thoughtful subtext. I quite enjoyed seeing myself in my small part, singing my song She Won't Talk To Me.
My good friends and excellent musicians Brad Steckel (Producer/guitars), Kristian Alexandrov (drums & percussion), & Brent Gubbles (acoustic bass) and I recorded a full-band version of my song She Won't Talk To Me at CBC Studios Nov. 16th for the end credit roll of No Men Beyond This Point. It turned out Great, as I knew it would using these guys!
"Make some room in your collection - here's a short list of records worth checking out."
"Robert Burton Hubele isn't flashy but his easy blues style and low-key approach will have you returning to his latest album, Highway Of Dreams."
Tom Harrison - Entertainment - The Province - March 25/13
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"Our favorite troubador from Alberta...entertainment with a Huge capital E. Robert's CD offers the 'Classical' Hubele ingredients: strong, very strong songs, a deep roaring expressive voice, solid guitar playing, and lyrics that tell stories. It's pretty much an effort that leaves you breathless."
RootsTown Free E-zine Belgium
"Robert Burton Hubele is a kool kat whose sound can best be described as a Starbucks Chai Tea Latte with a side of coffee cake; its a great way to cure your hunger and thirst for something sweet and refreshing."
I Am Entertainment Magazine (one of Googles' top ten entertainment magazines on the web!)
“DEEP ROOTED AND FELT”Review by Steven F. Adams of Sound Wave One Studios
Some people call this guy I found “THE POET OF THE BLUES”, and with his latest project called a Lucky Man, Robert Burton Hubele is more than this. Robert has a twist of Country, Jazz, Blues Rock and Folk, all wrapped in one. The first cut on this album entitled “Lucky Man” brings in elements of deep seated Blues, and the song really makes one feel like you have arrived in a night club. It’s a low and grindy tune that features Brad Steckel on guitar. The song has a great feel to it and Robert’s raspy voice has a growl that has grains of blues all the way through it.
“I’D BE A FOOL” The next song on this amazing and entertaining album, has an ‘out of the ’60’s songbook feel to it and shows Robert’s ability to blend in his musical diversity.
“NO TIME” This song has a shaking kind of feel to it and brings up the ‘umpf’ of the album, and Robert’s vocals have a kind of Bob Dylan feel to them. The song and Robert’s writing abilities are transparent on this song, and throughout this amazing album.
The next song, called “IT HURTS SO BAD” brings in the blues along with that ’60’s feel, and the song is contagious and one can really notice Robert’s eclectic ability to cross paths with Country and Folk, and just plain great music.
“KING COUNTY ROAD” has a sound that has backup singing involved, and Robert ushers in a sound that is, in my ears, very reminiscent of early Bob Dylan recordings.
In “HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE” Robert brings in his elements of Blues and spoken word throughout this song, and once again shows his diversity and total musicality.
“ON THE WATER” is another song that has a Country Pop flair to it, and at the same time a Folk sound that is both remarkable and enjoyable.
“KING OF ROMANCE” has a sound that I can’t really put a finger on,(Jazz maybe?) however it does remain within his genre of “POET OF THE BLUES”.
As I listened I noticed this is the kind of Music Album that has to be played in an environment were it’s just you and the music. Robert’s lyrics are deep and have substance and true felt meaning, and this comes across as I listened.
“SHE LOVES ME MORE” is a song that shares that Folk sound that allows you to see and feel that wonderful writer of music that Robert is.
This album throughout reflects who Robert is. Robert is a true singer/songwriter that projects this in his entire song catalogue
“LOVERS AT TWILIGHT” and the blues comes into the scene and arrives with this song, and once again projects his deep impactful and thoughtful lyrics that are written from the heart.
“MONEY CAN’T BUY” Robert has a signature on every song and each is fully crafted and built by Robert, and his consistent ability to paint a picture within his songs.
“ALBERTA” is another fine example of Robert once again showing his Folk Roots, and singing your heart into his world of Poetry, set to beautiful lyrics and surrounded by music that touches you magically.
All in all, this album is a Great work, and as I listened I felt that Robert Burton Hubele has convincing music that takes samplings of all music genres, and coupled with Robert’s amazing lyrics and bluesy vocals, brings you into his world, which will always remain in your heart. Robert is a true Singer/Songwriter and has what I call Purity and an honest approach to songwriting. Robert has all these ingredients wrapped up together in a Very Fine Album, “A Lucky Man”!
I thank Robert for his friendship and his gifted contribution to the music world, and am anxious to hear what’s next for him.
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Roots Press Belgium 2020
by Dani HeyvaertIt is almost impossible, I know it ... and yet I will try to bring Robert Burton Hubele to your attention. I have been doing this for almost two decades and it seems that my incentives are picked up very sparingly and yet, and yet: I still think you should get to know this man from Calgary, Canada, Alberta.
Hubele, a man who taught himself everything he knows about music today, is ready for his eleventh album with this CD and, as was often the case in the past, that album contains a mix of rootsy pop, country, funk, soul and blues. Regular companion Brad Steckel, who is rightly mentioned as co-author of this album, played just about all the instruments and, I read, used twenty different guitars and also had a production time on the dozen self-written songs. In that context, I find it funny to be able to read that Hubele writes an average song per month and that writing takes 2.5 hours per song. That way you make a record with new material every year and you have enough time to be critical enough for yourself and to throw things away that do not meet your quality standards.
That has clearly happened again: each of the songs that made it, has enough elements in it that make it radioworthy and it remains a mystery to me why Hubele was not picked up by the big radio stations of this country long ago.
From the opening title song - which is hidden behind the attached youtube link - you can already experience that: this song reminiscent of “Sixteen Tons” is bluesy enough not to be counted as a country, but above all: it is a highly contagious song that is beautifully brightened up by backing vocals that, when checked, appear to come from Steckel's throat. With “I’d Be a Fool”, Hubele goes all the way back to the 1960s: this is doo-wop, begging for a version of The Mavericks.
With "No Time" the record moves to the region in which J.J. Cale and especially Bonnie Raitt are active, "Hurt So Bad" is almost crowned, while "King Country Road" accelerates the pace and starts rocking. “With a title like“ How Deep is Your Love ”you naturally think of The Bee Gees, but what Hubele brews here is the highlight of the album for me: the good singer, who is already Hubele, can fully are able to show and the instrumental parts take full advantage of the just-not-Bossa rhythm and the jazzy melody. "King of Romance" is once again bathed in the sixties atmosphere, but this time because of the funky decoration, while the yearning "She Loves Me More" radiates despair, although the text seems to claim the opposite.
The slow “Lovers at twilight” is once again an opportunity for Hubele to showcase his excellent singer abilities, while Steckel is lavishly spreading the beautiful guitar lines. He also shows that he is very versatile in the following "Money Can't Buy". The plate is concluded with an ode to the home state of Alberta and its landscape. A bit romantic perhaps, but you have to forgive someone from the age of Hubele: he has come to the point that he is also starting to record children's songs and that the undersigned, himself several times grandfather, is by no means a bad sign.
Let me summarize it: it is certainly the sixth time that I try to draw your attention to this special songwriter and very good singer from Calgary. I warn you in advance: as soon as a new album by the man arrives, you will get to read me again, because the Hubele / Steckel duo deserve a much greater reputation than is the case today.
(Dani Heyvaert)
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Review by Bill Wilson - Reflections in Blue ( USA)
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Roots Time Press & Rootstime Radio Review, Belgium - 2020
By Freddy Cellis
We dare to assume that you may have never heard of Robert Burton Hubele before, but here at 'Rootstime' this Canadian singer-songwriter from Calgary got our attention in October 2004 for the release of his debut album “The Human Heart” from 2001 and the album "Three Little Words", which was subsequently released in 2004. On those albums he already brought a mix of folk, country, rock, jazz and blues and in fact he continued to do so with all subsequent albums.
In 2011 there was the album "I Get Lonely", followed by the album "Highway Of Dreams" which was released in 2012 and in 2016 colleague Eric Schuurmans reviewed the album "She Won't Talk To Me" that Robert Burton Hubele released with his friend guitarist-musician Brad Steckel. Now a new album from this duo has been released under the title "A Lucky Man". It is the 11th album by Robert Burton Hubele with Brad Steckel again as producer of his twelve original compositions.
Artists such as B.B. King, Howlin ’Wolf, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon are among his most important influences, in the jazz world Cab Calloway and Mose Allison, and the country genre includes Hank Snow and Hank Williams.
The bluesy album title track "Lucky Man" that we start with is given on the first track for an introduction. But it is mainly the second song "I'd Be A Fool" that captivates us by the way in which this love song is brought into the traditional "doo-wop" style.
The variation in music styles between the different songs on “A Lucky Man” ensures that you keep listening to all the songs on the album and actually look forward to the next track on the CD with curiosity. That's how we like it in works like the J.J. Cale sounding "No Time", but also the sweetly sung ballad "Hurt So Bad" and the jazz song "How Deep Is Your Love" are glittering gems on the track list of "A Lucky Man".
Robert Burton Hubele is also a very talented and great singer and we can see that several times in further songs on this album. We mainly remember "On The Water", the laid-back sung "Lovers At Twilight Time" and his nostalgic retrospective and sincere tribute to the Canadian province "Alberta" where Robert Burton Hubele grew up in the countryside as a child.
*****
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Review of The Sleepy Time King
Robert Burton Hubele
The Sleepy Time King
Self-produced
Known as the poet of the Blues, Hubele just keeps expanding and exploring his horizons. Blues, jazz, soundtracks, works incorporating photography (another avenue he excels at) with his music...and now an album for children and the young at heart. Released in time for the Christmas season, The Sleepy Time King is a collection of songs and stories dedicated to his Grandpa, who told him stories when he was young, and to his grandchildren, who give him great joy and inspiration. More a singer/songwriter collection than a blues album, The Sleepy Time King is a delightful collection of stories in song and spoken word that are intended to inspire as well as entertain children and to spark memories in parents and grandparents alike. This is a great item to give as a gift to the young and the young at heart. Brad Steckel provides the guitar work behind Hubele's songs and storytelling. Also performing on the album are assorted family members, Kristian Alexandrovon piano, Pat Belliveau on bass clarinet, John Lacey on pedal steel, John Hyde on acoustic bass, Andrzej Ryszka on drums and more. Together they manage to put together an album that is easy on the ears, full of delightfully entertaining stories and the perfect aid for parents and grandparents alike who are looking for the perfect tool to entertain and teach the young while putting them down for a good night's sleep. From a musical standpoint, this is right on the money. This is an album that will end up being passed down through the generations, acting as well as inspiration for parents to interject their own stories. Robert Burton Hubele does it again. Proof positive that he is not a "one-trick" pony, Canada's Poet of the Blues shows us once more at he is a masterful entertainer...no matter what he might be called upon to do.
Reflections In Blue- Bill Wilson
Website - http://roberthubele.com/
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/robert.burton.758
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=robert+burton+hubele
*****
Live Performance Review
"The Social Committee in our building is always looking for new ways to bring together the people who live here, believing that the more we know each other, the more we will take care of each other and the special place where we live. We invited Robert to present a night of music and stories, and he did not disappoint! Robert is so engaging as he relates the back story of his songs...funny, touching, romantic and thoughtful. His songs tell the story of his life, and his music is so connected to his words. A master guitar player, he entertained the group with his stylings and talent. The feedback from our residents has been so positive, we know that this forum will be something we include in future social functions. Thank you so much, Robert, for your talent, your good humour and your music!" (Panorama Place Social Committee - June 2016)
*****
Southern Alberta Road to Memphis Blues Challenge:
Here are the comments from the judges of the competition;
Judge 1 “Very persuasive! Inviting, reflective, real.”
Judge 2 “You feel authentic. Nice original tunes. Gentle Blues … refreshing take on things.”
Judge 3 “Perfectly laid back. Great for a solo.”
***************Robert Burton Hubele & Brad Steckel
She Won't Talk To Me
Self-Produced
Often referred to as the Poet of the Blues, Hubele is a master storyteller, superb guitarist and his abilities as songwriter are unequalled. In short, he is a wordsmith of the first order. It gets no better than this. Add his stellar guitar work and smooth as silk vocals, and you have a winner. The fun does not stop there. Add the talents of guitar virtuoso Brad Steckel. Brad, a native of Easton, PA and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, has been a professional guitarist since the age of 14. Early on he toured in support of some of the best known bands in the Rock world. He has since relocated to Calgary, Alberta Canada, where he runs a state of the art recording studio. His style compliments that of Hubele beautifully, making for an album that sounds rich, full and absolutely "eargasmic", to quote an old friend of mine. Hubele is a well-rounded musician, extremely well versed in countless musical styles. His masterful work with wording earned him the title of "Poet Of The Blues." His blend of blues and a velvety-smooth jazz is relaxing, wrapping itself around the listener like that old afghan, crocheted by your Grandmother. She Won't Talk To Me is his tenth CD release, the title tune featured in the movie "No Men Beyond This Point", in which Robert Burton Hubele is featured playing the song. The CD features 11 songs penned by the master wordsmith, covering topics like life, love and death. An incredibly diverse album, She Won't Talk To Me flows from style to style, effortlessly...taking the listener on a musical journey that covers blues in many forms, soulful ballads and even a touch of country. This is the kind of album you put in the player, hit the repeat button and settle in with a nice bottle of your drink of choice...your beloved close at hand. Call him a bluesman, a singer/songwriter, a balladeer, a songster or whatever you like. This is an exceptional album from an artist who writes from wells of experience...one factor that give music power and an air of authenticity. Any way you look at it, this is a great album you won't want to miss.
Bill Wilson - Reflections In Blue
FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/RobertsMusicPage/?fref=nf
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=robert+burton+hubele
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La Hora Del Blues in Barcelona Spain
Robert Burton Hubele “She Won’t Talk To Me”. Self Production 2016.
The song that gives title to the album was included in the film "No Men Beyond This Point" soundtrack. Robert Burton Hubele performs the song in the film, and again it is also played at the end behind the credits. The popularity of the soundtrack was the perfect reason to publish a new album in collaboration with producer, guitar player and friend Brad Steckel. Once again Robert Burton Hubele reveals himself as a great performer and an excellent story teller, with subjects that explore relationships, life and love, all framed by an intimate music based on blues which also includes some jazz, pop and world music. For those who are not familiar with this Canadian singer and guitar player, I must mention that the honesty, good taste and the calm way Robert performs the ten own songs included in the album, will drive listeners to a delicious and bucolic sound landscape. VERY GOOD.
####
RootsTime, Belgium Radio and On Line Magazine
Robert Burton Hubele is a Canadian singer-songwriter, who has been active since 1972 as acoustic, electric and dobro blues, jazz and rock guitarist. He worked for years in the steel industry and wrote his first song at the age of twenty. "House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals was Robert's first interest in music. Hubele was interested in the music of the old blues men and was later introduced by Chuck Tracy (a seasoned musician and his roommate) in jazz. His descent from rural Alberta can also be heard in his music. In the 70s Hubele was captivated by the slide dobro, after hearing Bonnie Raitt. Raitt learned to play slide guitar by Mississippi Fred McDowell. After his album "Highway Of Dreams" (2012) Hubele (again together with his buddy producer Brad Steckel) recently released the album "She Won't Talk To Me". It is his tenth studio album with ten original songs and one "hidden" track.
"She Won't Talk To Me" is beside the opener of the album, a song from the movie "No Men Beyond This Point". It is, as most of the songs on the album, a song with a story. Here is the story of the man who finds the right woman, who turns out to be but just then in the company of the wrong man. "Life Is Funny" is a blues ballad with a positive message and "Sweet Talk" an uptempo blues song. "Get (Down) To The Bottom," a hallucinatory raga / blues song, is biting the special duck in the blues. It's a song that no doubt remains as nahangen. "I Cried Your Name" is a country song, which refers to its country of origin and "Such A Little Thing", a song about giving and receiving, is a mid-tempo rocker swamp, which does well with this. With "Without You" the pace is even more aware of, and then unwind in the country ballad "Baby Come Down". Hubele wrote after a tour in Portugal down his impressions in the Latino rocker "Portugal". The regular valve called "Oh Mama" and is a ballad that Hubele wrote as a tribute to his mother. She made do under difficult circumstances, without ever complaining, for him and seven other children. The promised "hidden" track is called "If You Love Christmas". It's a mid-tempo ballad, which sounds very promising for next Christmas.
And with "She Won't Talk To Me" Robert Burton Hubele again proves his versatility and musicianship. For lovers of "easy blues" music and where you can lie back and dig it, this is the right choice.
Eric Schuurmans
If you speak Dutch you can check out the RootsTime OnLine Magazine. I'm on the cover!
RootsTime OnLine Magazine Cover Story
NOW on CD Baby and iTunes!
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Songwriter says it’s the ride, not the destination
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by Matthew Hoekstra - Richmond Review
The 'House of The Rising Sun' was his initial inspiration.It was recorded in a single take in 1964 and became the Animals’ signature song. It also inspired Robert Burton Hubele to make music.
The jazz and blues musician developed a love for the blues listening to the radio as a teenager. But it was the song “House of the Rising Sun” that pulled him in further. He just had to learn to play it.
Hubele’s pal Butch, a railway co-worker with an electric guitar and amplifier, offered to teach him. It marked the start of a musical life for Hubele.
Raised in southern Alberta as the eldest of eight children, the now Vancouver-based Hubele has written and performed songs since 1972. He plays acoustic and electric guitar and slide dobro.
He’s just finished recording his tenth album, which might be called 'Life Is Funny That Way'. Writing songs is Hubele’s way of leaving his mark on the world. He writes about little things that make a difference.
He writes when a song comes to him—about once a month—and spends up to two hours putting a song together. The best ones, he says, often come the fastest. Polishing and learning a song takes a few more weeks, and sharing it can last a lifetime.
1. In a sentence, describe your music? “Original bluesy/jazzy/country/pop with a strong story line.”
2. What inspires your songwriting? “Mostly the small things in life. Interactions and reactions between people. A dream.”
3. What comes first in songwriting—the story or the music? “The music comes first, usually an interesting lick. If I can get the first two lines the song is written.”
4. Most memorable concert you’ve attended? “B.B. King at Calgary’s Jubilee Auditorium. I got to meet and speak with B.B. after the show.”
5. What do you like best about Vancouver? “The flowers.”
6. Do you miss rural Alberta? “We miss the long rides in the endless foothills and our family and friends we left behind.”
7. Have you ever taken formal music lessons? “No. I’m entirely self-taught.”
8. Place in the world you’d enjoy getting lost? “Southern California.”
9. Musician you most revere? “My longtime collaborator and co-producer Brad Steckel of Calgary.”
10. How did the Prairies influence your music? “The wide open landscapes and the hard labour jobs I worked, and the people I worked with, became the tapestry upon which I wrote many of my early songs.”
11. You titled your most recent CD Highway of Dreams. Why? “I’ve been a truck driver and machine operator off and on through most of my life. The song I titled the album after is about having the perfect long-haul experience. It’s a metaphor for the journey I’m on, I guess. It’s not the destination, it’s the ride.”
12. Most unusual place you’ve performed? “In a gangster cafe in northern Holland, where most of the patrons were big, mean and were carrying guns. They liked me, thank heavens.”
13. Favourite post-concert snack? “Hot cocoa and cognac.”
14. Your usual breakfast? “Porridge.”
15. Trapped in a shopping mall, you might leave with? “Books.”
16. Longest job/career you’ve had outside music? “Fifteen years working for the City of Calgary Sewers.”
17. If your guitar could tell a story, what would it say? “You don’t play me enough.”
18. Best health tip? “Don’t worry, be happy.”
19. Coffee shop beverage of choice? “Hot chocolate.”
20. Best advice you’ve ever received? “Write what you know.”
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From Eduarda F.M.I heard you sing for the first time @ Trees Organic Coffee House yesterday.You sound amazing.You got one of those voices that heals the soul. |
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Robert Burton Hubele in rotation on SHORE 104.3 FM in Vancouver!
Just found out I'm getting regular air-play on SHORE with my song 'Everything But The Blues'.
Here's the phone number to make requests for my songs on SHORE: 604.280.1043
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Tom Harrison - Entertainment - The Province - March 25/13
"Make some room in your collection - here's a short list of records worth checking out."
"Robert Burton Hubele isn't flashy but his easy blues style and low-key approach will have you returning to his latest album, Highway Of Dreams."
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Poet of The Blues
La Hora del Blues - Spain
Vincente Zumel
Musician, story teller, life poet, composer, song writer, guitarist and singer, so is Robert Burton Hubele, a talkative and very entertaining man, who brings his ideas through the music, spreading his loving and dreaming message and experiences, on a kind of calm personal jazz-blues music, full of an avant-garde conception on its development.
All songs included in both albums are original and written by Robert Burton Hubele, a musician who comes from Vancouver, Canada.
His previous work, "I Get Lonely", gathers ten songs that move between jazz and blues, where Robert plays guitar, slide, dobro and he sings too. He has done it together with his good friend Brad Steckel, who plays percussion, keyboards, bass and guitar, and has been sound engineer too. Robert B. Hubele is a deep fan of Albert King, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Wille Dixon, Muddy Waters, Freddie King and other many blues musicians. In jazz and swing fields, Robert has always followed the music of Tom Waits, Mose Allison, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and Louis Jordan. His favorite vocalists are Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and The Mills Brothers.
In the second album Robert merges to successfully investigate the previous mentioned styles, and he does it with and extreme good taste and skill. The result is an exciting elegant work, honestly and tastefully performed. Enjoy these two albums done by an original peculiar fellow called Robert Burton Hubele. VERY GOOD.
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Bill Willson, Sr. Writer at Billtown Blue Note |
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