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] 

One day I came home from work, or some other place I went and came from. Wade beckoned me over to the computer, to show me some videos on YouTube. Typical guy.

I suppose it was a serendipitous accident, because as he was searching for musicians, he found a band called Tommee and the Neighbourhood.  He was impressed enough to show me, and I was impressed enough to remember the band for over a year. Now that I've got my kickin' music website, I knew I definitely wanted to feature them. Turns out, though, that the band has…disbanded, and Tommee has a solo act, which is fine with me, because he is still exceedingly awesome. 

After some investigating at Tommee's website, I found that he is from a village in Indonesia, and uses a wide range of indigenous and contemporary instruments to create his super-chill sound. His website even features them, with pictures, explanations, and audio samples, that made my boyfriend's mouth water (he has a thing for world stringed instruments).

Tommee's music is pretty crafty. It's relaxing, but with message, and is oddly simple and intricate at the same time. It has some reggae-island grooves, and a good, organic sound.  

He has two solo albums, Kachampo, and Get On So Well. He is currently touring Europe. Hopefully I'll have an interview pretty soon, but for now enjoy these MP3's and keep checking back for more Tommee goodness.

 See What Got Us Hooked

Links 

Tommee Official Website 

Buy Kachampo

Buy Get On So Well

 Music

 Cengaa Aruziki MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20Cengaa%20Aruziki.mp3] 

Get On So Well MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03%20Get%20On%20So%20Well.mp3] 

No Reason To Cry MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20No%20Reason%20To%20Cry.mp3] 

Io Ariku MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/01%20Io%20Ariku.mp3] 

 Tommee's On Tour

Yesterday I was digging my way through internet as I usually do, when I'm supposed to be doing something else. I came across John Fahey. The name sounds familiar, but I know I'm not familiar with his stuff. But I should be. And so should you. Apparently his music is considered 'primitive guitar', and quite an inspiration to many musicians we know. Fahey passed away though, in 2001. 

 I chose 'Sligo River Blues' for this post because it was the easiest to get my hands on. If you check out the MySpace page there are two other tracks which are excellent, also. 

Related Links:

John Fahey Official Website

John Fahey on MySpace 

Related Audio:

Sligo River Blues - John Fahey

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/18%20-%20John%20Fahey%20-%20Sligo%20River%20Blues.mp3]

Grand National - John Butler Trio

Well, it's finally here.

I mean that in two ways:

• The album has finally been released.
• The album finally made its way to me, after 7 long days.

Again, John Butler Trio does not disappoint. When John Butler first started making music, he did it busking in Fremantle. Searching for Heritage was recorded onto a tape, and sold independently, by him, with a raw sound. Now he is the lead of a very talented trio, nationally reknowned in Australia and working their way up in the U.S.

Some argue this album is over-produced, but truly, I've always know the progression of an artist ends when they stop trying to make themselves better at their craft, and as I have been a follower of John Butler Trio's music for a few years now, I can definitely say there has been a progression, and a beautiful one at that.

Grand National is an album with 13 tracks, 6 of which I had the privilege to hear live, either at a show or through the taper's archives at Archive.org.

Right now I'm listening to "Caroline", a song reminiscent of "What You Want" from Sunrise Over Sea; both tracks have string arrangements and a powerful, moving message. Now I'm hearing fun(ky) beats in "Good Excuse". 

This is why I think people love and appreciate John Butler Trio. They never disappoint, they constantly change it up, and every song gives you a different message, fusion of genres of music, and a base appreciation of making music and giving it to people for love and enjoyment. A fusion of reggae, rock, hip-hop, organ effects and a harmonica elsewhere.

Its just so much fun! Groovin' Slowly is flippin' cute, and a new territory for John Butler, as his songs before this have never been this tender and sincerely lovey-dovey. It also seems like the Trio has channeled the love of Bob Marley and the Wailers, too. Caroline is exquisitely sad, and I want to tell John I'm sorry about Caroline. Better Than is a personal favorite, a song that NEVER fails to remind me of what is important, what I have, and what I have ahead. Gov Did Nothin' reminds me of Hurricane Katrina, and how terrifyingly close my family was to being part of that tragedy. Funky Tonight is extremely fun, and Fire In the Sky is a lovely reminder of my first JBT show. I've loved Nowhere Man since I heard it on the Funky Tonight EP, and now there is an introduction of backing vocals by Butler's wife, Danielle. A favorite sing-a-long. Devil Running is simply excellent, started live and nurtured into a studio version that totally rocks out.  And Gonna Take It is an incredible, cheerful, goodbye for the album, with a reminder to play again.

Instruments, vocals, production–all excellent. I expected nothing less, and I am just thrilled to have new material to play over and over from JBT. If you haven't listened yet, you're really missing out. My favorite band is worth listening to, right? 

Related Links 

Official John Butler Trio Website

John Butler Trio on MySpace

Do yourself a favor and BUY THIS ALBUM!

Related Audio

Devil Running

[audio:DevilRunning.mp3]

Used To Get High

[audio:UsedToGetHigh.mp3]

John Butler Trio - Grand National

Label : Jarrah Records 

So here we are, Spring of 2007 and anxiously anticipating John Butler Trio's new album, Grand National. It's official release is March 27th, I believe, with the pre-order shipping out on the 23rd. Oh, yes, I ordered mine. Well, on a personal note, I'm flippin' excited. Although the album contains many songs I've had the privilege to hear either live or through the taped shows at archive.org, these will be studio versions, with the addition of several new tracks. There was some confusion over the album's title, as Grand National is also the name of a horserace. John Butler told his fans in a 'blog' post: "It means one big nation. One world, one people. Seems fitting for these polarised times. … And then sharing our music with this one world in a grand way. We're going Grand National baby!" The album cover itself is designed by John Butler, and has a circus-like feel to it. John Butler Trio is also scheduled to play at Bonnaroo this year, and when I am updated on the Bonnaroo line-up and ticket costs, I will post about it.

The unofficial tracklist:

• Better Than (heard live)
• Daniella (heard through archive.org)
• Funky Tonight (mp3, seen live)
• Caroline (new)
• Good Excuse (performed at the Make Poverty History Concert)
• Used To Get High (new)
• Gov't Did Nothing (heard through archive.org)
• Groovin' Slowly (new, but possibly played live)
• Devil Running (heard through archive.org)
• Losing You (heard through archive.org)
• Recognise Me (new to me!)
• Nowhere Man (released on the Funky Tonight EP)
• Gonna Take It (new to me, also)

'Good As Gone' was released on the Funky Tonight EP as well, and I personally am hoping that will be on Grand National, also. Well, folks, if you're not excited, you should be. Although we try to remain impartial with our reviews here at LovetheMusic, we will be spotlighting favorite artists from time to time, as I do with JBT and as Damon does with Saves the Day and others. More reviews coming. I promised reviews on the 2006 indie favorite, Beirut, and I will have that soon.

Thanks for reading,

Love yourself, Jen

Related links:

Buy Grand National

John Butler Trio Official Website

John Butler Trio Store (US)

John Butler Trio Store (Australia)

John Butler Trio on MySpace

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]