So, my copy of John Butler Trio's Funky Tonight EP arrived in the mail yesterday. Definitely worthy of review. It has 4 tracks: Funky Tonight, Good as Gone, Nowhere Man, and Funky Tonight (bootleg). The CD is excellent, to put it shortly. 'Funky Tonight' is a track they've played live at their shows for some time now, but have never officially released. It is the first single released from their new work; their new album will be released in Spring 2007.

I heard it for the first time in April of 2006, at a show they played here in the U.S. It ended the show, and it was bloody brilliant. Their new single is definitely a studio-version. Some of the lyrics have changed, and the chorus music has been altered, as you will hear when you listen to tracks 1 and 4 back-to-back. John Butler does an amazing job on the guitar, per usual, and the song is upbeat with lots of cutesy "Ooos" and fast drumming. Great track. 'Good as Gone' is a brand new track to my ears, and is stunningly beautiful. It's up for listen here. John Butler's wife, Danielle, contributes backing vocals to John's intricate, bluegrassy banjo playing. It soothes, and makes your mind go blank. The vocals and banjo bring the song to many crescendos, and it ends too soon. 'Nowhere Man' is my hands down favorite track from the album. Such a beautiful song. Put together so well, and leaves you wanting more. The guitar intuitively takes you through the story of the song, and Butler does an excellent job of keeping the vocals rhythmic and soft. It has a lullaby quality, and the trio brings the song together excellently with their respective instruments. 'Funky Tonight (Bootleg)' is a live version of 'Funky Tonight', or rather it is the original track before it was taken into the studio. You can hear the crowd participate in the song, and the song truly makes you 'get funky'. Overall: Again, I'm floored by John Butler Trio's talent. If you've never heard John Butler Trio before, do yourself a favor and buy this album. It's a great introduction to their music. It's beautiful, excellent, wonderful, all at the same time. The tracks are creative and experimental, they explore music and bring it to its fullest, brimming potential. Three talented musicians with the ability to express beauty through music the way they do leaves your ears tingling and will make you want more.

Related Links:

John Butler Trio

John Butler Trio on MySpace

Buy Funky Tonight EP (AUS)

John Butler Trio Videos on YouTube

Funky Tonight Video (New Single) on MySpace

Related Audio: 

Nowhere Man 

[audio:http://www.lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Funky%20Tonight/03%20Nowhere%20Man.mp3]

Funky Tonight 

[audio:http://www.lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Funky%20Tonight/01%20Funky%20Tonight.mp3]