John Butler Trio
Hordern Pavilion
17 Aug 07
JBT gigs are always an interesting prospect, mainly typified by loads of left-wing commentary, some wicked slide guitar tunes and, of course, Michael Barker’s out-of-this-world drum solos. Tonight, the concert delivers, but with the added panache that comes with selling out a 5000 person capacity venue. Beside the merch tent there stands a Nuclear Free Australia stall, while inside Butler uses his new star status to secure a video screen which propels anti-war propaganda at the audience during his more political tracks. It is incredibly effective, as we are assailed by a rotating display of John Howard, George Bush and Osama bin Laden, blurring them into one long vignette which throws confusion over who is to blame for the world’s terror.
But back to the concert, which is what some of us came here for. When Butler isn’t bleating he’s a musical force to be reckoned with; confident, highly talented and incredibly dexterous, managing to balance his phenomenal guitar work with an awesomely powerful and versatile voice. Treat Yo’ Mama showcases this perfectly, while the completely bonkers sing-a-long track Zebra brings Butler to the fore once more. However, what really makes a John Butler gig is the (admittedly, cherry picked) strength of his trio. Watching the show, it’s easy to see that this is the most comfortable, gifted incarnation of JBT to date.
It starts with bass player Shannon Birchall, with his upright double bass antics, smooth backing vocals and general all round funkiness (see: Funky Tonight!) provides a base for Butler to launch off. The star, nonetheless, is not Birchall nor butler, but the uber-drummer Michael Barker. Hands down one (if not the) most fantastic stickmen this country has ever laid claim to, and tonight he literally ‘brings the noise’! Augmenting his already well-endowed kit with timpani, bongos, roto-toms, triangles and probably half the contents of his house, Barker is nonetheless a discerning drummer, never over-playing and biding her time until those drum solos that never fail to smash the audience sideways, a fact acknowledged by Butler, who introduces him as “The man who’s been blowin’ up yo’ ass all night long!” When the Three combine, they are unstoppable, original and, without contest, this country’s greatest export. Let’s just hope Jon Butler doesn’t run in the November election!
