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The JBT's roots-based eclectic music is growing like a tidal
wave; soon to engulf the pop world as this Australian chart-topper,
affirms. Celtic folk, hillbilly twang, Arabic rhythms and
sitar-like oriental ragas all combine in this double platinum
album.
Treat Yo Mama, a song of respect to mothers and our earth,
has been the foundation of JBT's live set for some time.
With Shannon Birchall on double bass bowing harmonic lines
and cymbal splashes from drummer Nicky Bomba complimenting
John's sensitive fingerpicking. Of Peaches & Cream John
says - "This is dedicated to a little girl called Banjo.
When you experience a birth of your child you realise that
life and death are very close! In the world today there
are so many nasty things going on, but there are good things
also. This is what my little girl reminds me of every day."
Starting solo the band joins John midway through the song
adding vocal harmonies and further driving the rhythm.
In Company Sin, the tale of young Ben working on a mine,
ignorant of it being on sacred Aboriginal land, is counter-balanced
by a punchy reggae feel. What You Want, featuring a string-section
builds up, dies down and builds up again.
Played on a 75 year-old banjo, Damned To Hell shows the
strength of John's voice while his plucking of the metal
strings shatters the air like glasses breaking one by one.
Hello begins soft and light like wind chimes, but is soon
transformed into a boogie with great interaction between
guitar, bass and drums. The lyrics preach against the evils
of drugs and the damage done to relationships.
Bound To Ramble and Seeing Angels, are personal songs. The
first relates to John meeting his wife, Danielle in Broome
towards the end of a self-driven Oz tour in 1999. A real
trucking tune it bounces along driven by a clunking banjo,
steered by bowed bass and powered by percussive drumming;
the whole vehicle flickering through light and shade.With
Zebra, John Butler has made APRA Music Awards history by
winning SONG OF THE YEAR, the first time the award has been
given to a self published, independent singer-song writer.
Oldman depicts the negative global changes that have occurred
in one lifetime.
Finally Sometimes is deep blue melancholy accentuated by
Tim Neil's wailing Hammond organ, building intensity of
sound and emotion in this philosophical epic.
Peter
Dawson |
