John Butler Three CD

Walter Thompson III is a world renowned Pagan recording artist residing in the Bay Area. Thompson is also a performance artist who specializes in the art form of Dance Poetry (Dancing A Poem). He has used several selections from the Thunderstorm Witch project as themes for some of his successful dance performances all over the world. Thunderstorm Witch (TW) was Thompson's debute spoken word masterpiece. Some slections from this CD have been reworked and remixed by many djs in the European underground dance scenes.Thompson's main purpose for recording the TW CD was to present small slices of his perspective of what it means to be a modern Pagan without being too literal or symbolic. This was definitely an experimental project that garnered much respect for Thompson as an exciting new artistic voice in the Pagan world community.

John Butler Trio: John Butler (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, lapsteel, harmonica, E-bow); Jason McCann (Hammond B-3 organ, drums, percussion); Gavin Shoesmith (acoustic & electric bass).
Additional personnel includes: Rosie Johnstone, David Broadfood, Brenda Foster (background vocals).
Producers: John Butler Trio, Shaun O'Callaghan.
Recorded at Studio Couch, Fremantle, Western Australia.
Personnel: John Butler (vocals, 12-string guitar, lap steel guitar, harmonica); George Rrurrambu (vocals); Gavin Shoesmith (double bass, electric bass).
Recording information: Studio Couch, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.
Photographers: Martin Philbey; Craig Cole.
Arranger: John Butler.
John Butler's debut album, Three, opens with his distinctive fingerpicked, slide-driven guitar that is to be the canvas for the remainder of the record. Joined by Rory Quirk on bass and Jason McGann on drums, the trio delivers an emotionally charged romp through ten tracks of earthy, bluesy jam band intonations. Paying homage to his Australian roots, the inclusion of the didgeridoo in the backdrop of several tracks plays nicely against his six-string grooves. The most accessible and shortest song on the record, "Pickapart," shows off Butler's picking prowess on an amplified 12-string acoustic guitar. Lyrically, Butler takes several political stances, from the pro-environmental song "Earthbound Child" to the anti-violence statement made by "Attitude." The passion in his vocals gives credibility to his fervor for these causes. The John Butler Trio have established the foundation for a promising career, and they are a welcome addition to the musical landscape. ~ Erik Crawford