Yup, he did. This isn’t terribly big news to me, but to other rasta-type dread lovers, it very well could be. He cut off his dreads, had for several years, got sick of them (understandably) and is now sporting a short cut. I love him and the guys either way. Just so you know….

John Butler Trio

******

 Your Friend Tracy - John Butler Trio (from Marking Time OST) [1:36m]: Play in Popup | Download

Since a lot of what I listen to isn’t classified as ‘new’, or released in 2007, I’m going to write up some albums and/or artists I enjoyed during 2007. If I can remember. Since I probably won’t, my Last FM account will come in handy.

Each item is linked to a relevant item on LTM. If theres no link, it is evidence of us sucking. We know. Damon can’t believe we have nothing on The Decemberists’ Castaways and Cutouts. Shame shame.

Jen’s Best of 2007 HEARD List: 

Tyler Ramsey - A Long Dream Swimming Across the Sea

Tool - 10,000 Days

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Feist - The Reminder

Bjork - Volta (2)

The Cat Empire - Two Shoes (2)(3)

Danger Mouse - Grey Album

The Decemberists - Castaways and Cutouts

Dikanda

Explosions In the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

My Morning Jacket (2)(3)

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones

Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost

John Butler Trio - Grand National (more)

The Veils - Nux Vomica

Nickel Creek

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Sprout Soundtrack

Regina Spektor - Songs

The Killers - Hot Fuss

Lily Allen - Alright Still

Minnie Driver - Seastories

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank & Good New for People Who Loves Bad News

Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

Fischerspooner - Odyssey

Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies and Minds

John Butler Trio - Better Than

Patrick Watson - Close to Paradise

 Patrick Watson - Slip Into Your skin [3:38m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Daniella - John Butler Trio [4:18m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) [5:11m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Dikanda - Lazito [2:34m]: Play in Popup | Download

If you hang around the site long enough, you’ll see that the band we have the most posts about is the John Butler Trio, which is probably my favorite band. I’m not big on picking favorites, but its the only band I really follow and check out whenever possible. Some may wonder why; if you check out their music and message maybe you’ll get it. Doesn’t matter. But this is another reason: Ocean.

I’ve seen John play it live 3 times. At Bonnaroo, at the HOB in New Orleans, and in Alabama. Bonnaroo’s Ocean was a little disappointing, because he didn’t do his slap-tap version, which I like best. In Alabama it was the first time I’d seen them live, and had only heard Ocean on CD and seen a video of him playing it at Webster Hall in 2005 in Oz. So that time was amazing, because I was seeing it, and because he did his slap-tap version.

Thats why I’m posting this video. It’s 14 minutes long, and if you can bypass the crowd cheering, you can see why JBT has so many devoted fans and why this is such a favorite. Its entirely instrumental, very impressive, but more than that, it’s just beautiful. I think I know why its called Ocean, if there is a reason for it. I hope you like.

[youtube 3B-x5bhLRkY]

Link to this video.

And heres the video from Webster Hall, much shorter, only 5 minutes.

[youtube 6VAkOhXIsI0]

Handy dandy email has informed me that JBT is releasing a Live CD of their performance at Twist and Shout in Denver, Colorado at June 29th, 2007. Pre-order is 10 bucks in the U.S. Go grab it.

And many congrats to the guys for winning two ARIAS, Best Blues/Roots and Best Independent Artist.

JBT // MySpace

 John Butler - Message In A Bottle (from Like A Version) [3:49m]: Play in Popup | Download

Check out this video of John Butler playing with Keith urban on guitar and Michael Barker and Shannon Birchall doing rhythm for JBT’s performance of Funky Tonight on the Australian Arias. Pretty sweet, I say. Not Butler’s best performance of the song, but the dueling guitars at the end is pretty kickin’.

[youtube BDFMaSMr5YA]

Hello you lovely ladies and gentleman. It's been a while. We have some catching up to do. 

First of all, I apologize sincerely for not bringing you awesome music in the past couple of weeks. Summer caught up with me, wrapping me up in romantic bedtime stories and lovely magical time with my significant other, thus distracting me from my responsibilities. And also, in all honesty, I haven't heard anything that really smacked me in the face, and made me feel I had to share it. One of my low points; it happens several times a year.  

Forgetting all that stuff, let's get to the reason why I'm posting. One of my favorite albums is the reason. It be called "Marking Time", and features a lot of guess who? the John Butler Trio.

I actually discovered this album a couple of years ago, and take it for a spin quite frequently since I got it. A classic. Love it. Never gets old. It has this funky mix of JBT's music and Indian pizzazz, and the other artists featured on the album, such as Khalil gudaz, Martin Armiger Band, and Oumou Sangare rock the hose too.

I actually never even heard of the ABC miniseries that this soundtrack is supposed to be for, I just somehow found out that JBT was featured on it, so I wanted to check it out, and was not disappointed at all. Keep in mind that if you're someone that doesn't dig Indian sitars and other such trippy mellow stuff, you may not like. I, however, love that stuff. Can't get enough. Thus, I share. Be glad I'm so nice.

We have 3 tracks here to check out. If you like what you hear, drop me a line and I'll let you listen to another one. Enjoy, folks. 

P.S. I figured out why we never saw it. It was in Australia. Duh.

P.P.S. This album has JBT's version of "Across the Universe" on it. Sweet deal! 

Marking Time Wiki // Buy this Soundtrack, please 

Hear It: 

You Friend Tracy - John Butler Trio MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/07%20Your%20Friend%20Tracy%20-%20John%20Butler%20Trio.mp3]

Girlsong - Mir Wais and Jade Macrae MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/16%20Girlsong%20-%20Mir%20Wais%20and%20Jade%20Macrae.mp3]

N'Guata - Oumou Sangare MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/10%20N_Guata%20-%20Oumou%20Sangare.mp3]