JOHN BUTLER TRIO - TORONTO, FEB 2010

John Butler Trio – Wed, Feb 11, 2010 – The Mod Club, Toronto

Opening Act - Toby

The Mod is one of the best live music venues of it's size in Toronto, quite possibly the country based on my observations. I am almost certain with John's first sold out Canadian show - this is going to be a good night. I have not verified this fact its based on my edumacated guess.:) But when it comes to JBT, I got some skills, so based on those 2 facts needless to say I am looking forward to this show !

Chickened out on bringing in a camera. I wrestled with the decision all night. I need to ratify and tighten up my shit in this area.  But its hard to rock out and do the camera/media thing at the same time.  It almost seems like 1 or the other, and at this point, I am not ready for the other just yet. Not for this show anyway.

I have always been a big fan of a good opener as it sets the stage. The opener this night = Toby was my first nice surprise. I found out with some last minute research that one of the key band members to be someone I toured with extensively in Canada & Australia in the past. Someone who I also would consider a kick ass musician on a stand up and fretless bass. I was not aware of Toby’s music before but as an opener they were successful in getting me! A great voice this woman from Australia.  I don’t know much more than that right know but her presence was felt. She did a super Joplin cover of Bobby McGee, which ya don’t hear done well very often. Ya gotta have some balls to think your going to pull off Joplin successfully. I mean ya cant really do it like Janis but doing it in your own way and doing it well is the key. Well Toby has the female version of  testicles as she did it with grand applause. Great range on her voice and I am looking forward to checking out those sexy birds some more !

My main negative observation of a stiff crowd is the same one I am recognizing in many places these days, and its either negatively trending, or I am.  The crowd vibe was way stiff.  I wouldn’t say I am a Toronto hater, I dig the town.  I just can’t catch a break lately with a live music crowd here.  Your a bunch of uptight stick up the ass-clowns.  Unless you're pressed in the first few rows, very few are grooving out.  Peoples expression threw dance is just not evident in this city.  With special exception of very few spread around the venue, that usually don’t keep it up due to the feeling of  the uncomfortable judgy death stairs from surrounding statues. I do sometimes wonder If I am trending to one of those crazy hippie/tweeker dancers that I make fun of ?  

John Butler is a fun grooving kinda kat. His vibe is definitely something that must be danced too. Even just a little bit people!  I mean the guy plays a bad ass banjo for Christ sakes !  Who doesn’t like throwin down a banjo jig !?  If ya never have, I highly recommend that soul smiling exercise.  It changes your experience from a good night to a great night – I promise you !

John started off with a bit of a crowd buzz kill when he had to school some screaming young girls in the front row that were really giving it to him. He made some statements - nicely - but basically telling them to shut the hell up. He's a pro and did it at the right time and place and carried on un-fazed.

A little more than 25%  of the set list was new material of which only the single has been released as yet from their new joint "April Uprising" due early 2010. A nice long show of 18 or 19 tunes with some nice long jams and stage moments thrown in for an entertaining evening.

A crowd thrown harmonica lands on stage and Johnny lays it down ! A completely random baaaad ass horner jam ensues.  Maybe 45 seconds to a minute long I am guessing. I coulda used it twice as long and have it roll into a who knows what, but i am not a greedy man and i'll take what i can get.

During Better Than, one of his most commercially successful tunes to date, inspired some motivated gals  to jump on stage uncontested and conducted a “riverdance” style of jig.  It was appreciated by the band and crowd. Made we wanna be a little closer to the action as the fun level was rising.

I wondered how many of the crowd in attendance, what percentage, are even aware it’s a new trio? Almost everybody I talked to didn’t know. That shit bums me out a little but I suppose I just might have too much time on my hands, so I try to not let it get to me too much.  But I am excited mostly to see what this new trio is all about.  I had grown quite fond of  his old band mates, Shannon & Michael and sad to see them part ways for “artistic differences”. Which hopefully doesn’t mean money in this case. But I have my suspicions, as it usually does involve that shitty thing called Dolla’s.  

Bomba the drummer is John’s brother-in-law and has some history of playing in the trio. He is a heavy kat and I loved seeing him pound it live.  The soul is pretty clear also on the new bass Byron Luiters.  Byron is an unknown to me but these 2 dudes got the passion no question. Its clear the 2 of them and John have some chemistry. The mad Dr. Frankenstein kind of chemistry. I’ve been told Bomba has some of his own stuff that’s worth checking out, so I will be doing just that.

 I don’t know where my show count is these days but its high for John solo and his trio combined. I have toured internationally with this guy and his music, and it’s the heaviest I’ve yet to see/hear from him.  The show was successful for me as it got me super pumped to see a few more shows this summer. JBT has a few more sold out gigs in the states before returning home to the staple festys, then on to UK and Europe, just in time to get him back for some of the always busy summer festival circuit in the States. That's where these guys shine.  Bonnaroo in Manchester Tennessee will be a fan fave this year for these guys. Bet on it !

John's songs about life’s experiences and world issues, is of a poetry both musical and written that few are pulling off together. The consistency of a quality product is undeniable!  If ya haven’t read his lyrics then your missing out !  Just check out  lyrics to One Way Road and you’ll see that at 35 he’s as youthful as I remember him a decade ago and still getting better every tour.  I see big things on this blessed mans horizons and I am all aboard for the long haul !

Now’s time to be part of the solution raise your fist if you believe in revolution

Doesn’t mean I ain’t got no fight now just because I don’t got a gun
The lyrical is heavier than lead and this guitar is my canon
Just like Martin and Mahatma I’m gonna love I’m gonna over come

John Butler _ One Way Road

Links:

Opener: http://www.tobymusic.com.au/

JBT: http://www.johnbutlertrio.com/

Bomba:  http://www.myspace.com/nickybombasolo

Bonnaroo: http://www.bonnaroo.com/