JOHN BUTLER TRIO | 05.23 | DC

Words & Images by: Seth Rubin

John Butler Trio :: 05.23.07 :: 9:30 Club :: Washington, DC

John Butler :: 05.23 :: Washington, DC

Following a brilliant performance by Kaki King; John Butler, Shannon Birchall (bass), and Michael Barker (drums) took the stage to an energetic and emotionally charged, packed house at DC’s famous 9:30 Club. Butler, sitting on a short platform, surrounded with effects pedals, began the evening on harmonica leading into “Daniella” (off Grand National) and a thunderous applause.

For the next hour, the trio ripped through a selection of tunes from the 2000’s JBT EP and self-titled full length, 2004’s Sunrise Over Sea, and most notably, 2007’s Grand National. For his new release, Butler wrote about love and understanding, and conversely, the lack of both. He sings of his devoted love for his wife and his comfort within family life, a departure from his previous happiness within solitude. Meanwhile, he demonstrates his romantic, old-fashioned values in tracks such as the aforementioned “Daniella,” as well as the upbeat “Funky Tonight” and the mellow “Groovin’ Slowly.”

John Butler Trio :: 05.23

“Better Than” and “Good Excuse” speak of understanding and the different ways people choose to view their lives and react, or cope, with life’s challenges. Butler tells us to be happy with what you have, rejoice in where you are, and realize that “the grass is greener but just as hard to mow” – a Little Richard quote captured in “Better Than.”

After a brief reprieve, Butler returned solo for a mesmerizing, finger-picked guitar solo that served as a warm lead-in to the crowd favorite “Peaches & Cream.” Butler’s voice was joined by hundreds of inspired fans, who drew closer and closer to the stage in hopes of catching Butler’s regular “Peaches & Cream” stage-front appearance. As Birchall and Barker returned to stage, Butler rose to his feet, threw up his arms and spoke to the crowd with words of peace and love. Stage lights lit up the huge smiles and the outstretched arms of the girls and guys who revere Butler for his music, his message and fine locked looks. With the crowd in his hands, Butler asked in a boisterous voice, “Can you FEEL the LOVE?!”

They closed out the show with the rockin “Funky Tonight,” and further inspirational speech. A lengthy and surely amazing performance came to its inevitable end, but not before the band greeted awestruck fans still hanging on the stage, awaiting a glance, a hand, a smile.

John Butler :: 05.23 :: Washington, DC

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