Just a Songwriter

Kenny Butterill | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 15, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hayden's Ferry
• ASIN: B00008L3OW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,912 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Just a Songwriter

2. My Austin Angel

3. Canadian Road Trip

4. The Email Song

5. Gotta Find a Woman

6. Felton's Place

7. Are You Surprised?

8. Making Love in L.A.

9. Joanne

10. A Couple of Lines

11. If We Were Alone

12. Vegetarian Dead Cow Blues

13. Is There More?

14. The Townes You Left Behind

15. Just a Songwriter [Extended Version][*]

16. Are You Surprised? [Extended Version][*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Juno-worthy, January 9, 2004

By 

Mike Westerfield (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just a Songwriter (Audio CD)

Over the past year, Sisyphus Tracks - the community-style web radio operation for which I serve as Program Director - has played many outstanding 2003 roots/folk releases from some of Canada's biggest names, including Neil Young, Fred Eaglesmith, Kathleen Edwards, and the Be Good Tanyas, as well as the excellent Gordon Lightfoot tribute from Borealis/Northern Blues that includes covers by the Cowboy Junkies, Jesse Winchester, Bruce Cockburn and Ron Sexsmith. However, a lesser-known artist from the Great White North - Kenny Butterill - picked up a lot of new fans in 2003 with his Just A Songwriter CD, and deserves consideration along with his more famous countrymen when awards time rolls around.

In the title track of Butterill's second release, the roots/alt-country/folk songwriter/producer eschews the "Nashville machine" that chews up artists and spits out "product." "I like being just a songwriter," he sings, "Don't fit the showbiz scene." The tone is thus set for the rest of the record, a musically diverse collection of unpretentious, honest and laid-back tunes from an unpretentious, honest and laid-back songwriter.

Just A Songwriter has substantive virtues beyond just an anti-Nashville/showbiz stance, of course. There are, first of all, the songs - 14 of them plus two extended tracks. As a group, they demonstrate Butterill's skill penning insightful lyrics that understate rather than bang you over the head; the music does much the same, anchored by gently rocking hybrid grooves that coax rather than hammer. Standout tunes include a tribute to the late, great songwriter Townes Van Zandt, "The Townes You Left Behind," the existential "Is There More?", the seductive "My Austin Angel" and the infectious boogie-blues of "Canadian Road Trip."

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Just A Songwriter, however, is how good it sounds. Despite Butterill's limited range as a singer, there's a relaxed charm and sweetness that comes through in his vocals. Also noteworthy is the stellar cast of 16 musicians that Butterill, wearing his producer's hat, carefully assembled for the project, among them fellow Canadians Ray Bonneville and Willie P. Bennett, and ex-Commander Cody harmonica wizard Norton Buffalo.

Kenny Butterill is something of an internet phenomenon, an "outsider" who has used the power and relative democracy of the Web to market his music in North America and Europe. Without showbiz hype or even the obligatory tour, he's enjoyed some significant success with this new approach, landing in the Americana Top 40 and charting globally, including two #1 hits in Europe. How appropriate it would be if this outsider were invited in from the Canadian cold, so to speak, by receiving further validation of his work via the prestigious Juno route.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kenny scores again!, April 29, 2003

By 

Steve Ekblad (Chicago, il) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just a Songwriter (Audio CD)

In the past I enjoyed listening to and reviewing Kenny Butterill's first album, "No One You Know". I am so pleased to find that Kenny has been writing and recording since and has released the brand new CD, ""Just A Songwriter". In the past, Kenny was best known in musician circles as a songwriter creating songs and lyrics for performing artists to record - it is ironic that the new release delineates this in title. This Canadian artist [now a Californian] has the charming ability to create songs that are first pure fun - very easy to listen to - yet some how quite compelling - and then perform them masterfully. In a style all his own, Kenny delivers 14 fresh sounding tunes. While enjoying them, one might be lured to draw comparison to other music greats such as Mark Knofler, JJ Cale, and Willie Nelson. 16 recorded works will keep your interest high as you listen to his newest songs in the first 14 tracks - the last two are extended versions of two of the tracks.
Just a songwriter - Kenny scrutinizes his own realm and comments on how life is as a songwriter - he likes it. The song rolls along with vamped chords and a rocking in the saddle beat. The line from the chorus says it all, "Trying to be heard". An extended version is included as track 15.
My Austin Angel - Kenny writes about a memory from the past of a beautiful woman who he had a relationship with that was based on mutual love and fun but without ties. He finds himself thinking about her. A beautiful acoustic performance with inspired solo work on guitar by guitarist Billy Don Burns.
Canadian Road Trip - A bouncing number with a strong harmonica backing and fills by Ray Bonneville who also provides the electric guitar chops. Willie P. Bennett [a favorite of mine] provides added flavor with his mandolin teasing with just the right fills. Kenny describes a road trip playing from roadhouse to roadhouse bar with miles and miles between. Drive and percussion are all provided sans drums.
The Email Song - Email has put many old friends back together many years letter. This song relays the story of an old love getting back in contact and the memories that come to mind. Kenny's voice rides on top of a beautiful montage of guitar, mandolin, bass, and percussion [note: played by "no one you know" - a line note quip].
Gotta Find A Woman - Peter Morrison steels a haunting sound out of his guitar and delivers a bluesy set of fills to the richly textured song about a lost love of a musician. A choir of male voices helps the musician's belt out their cry to find a woman who knows the blues and all of the songs he wrote.
Felton's Place - Norton Buffalo guests on harmonica blowing a series of fills and licks reminiscent of the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack. Add the luxurious guitar work of Jim Lewin with Kenny backing on guitar and you have a rich song about cliff over looking rolling water on a beach where Felton and his old hound must have lived a great life. Kenny's voice puts you right there.
Are You Surprised? - Vamped guitar, bass and drums create a tight beat while harmonica laces on top. He tells his closest friend/lover how much he needs them. Funky - funky - nice! An extended version of this song is included on the CD's track 16.
Making Love In LA - Seemingly out of nowhere, John Lee's pungent saxophone and keyboards join Kenny in telling the story of a lover in LA. It is a jazz inspired minor lament about the waiting for the moment they can join together.
Joanne - A story about a lady who has a man and a fellow who worships her. He makes it known that if her love ever leaves - he will be there when she calls.
A Couple Of Lines - A reflection on a woman's life who is biding time using drugs to ease her pain of a nowhere life in a work a day world. He asks her to look in the mirror and see where she is going. The minor keyed reggae feel with spanking guitar riffs make this tune a standout.
If We Were Alone - Love from afar is described with reverberant ascending and descending slide electric guitar on top of a guitar backing. This song has a huge soundstage. There is great solo and rhythm guitar work by guest guitarist Doug Huchison featured throughout.
Vegetarian Dead Cow Blues - Poking fun at a vegetarian's dietary demise gets a rocking and rolling backdrop by Kenny's group. Clearly fun!
Is There More? - Articulated guitar solo doubled up by guitarist Jim Lewin adds a wonderful flavor to this tune. So many questions - just enough song - pure pleasure!
The Townes You Left Behind - This acoustic guitar backed tune recalls a musician who has passed on. It has the feel of being on location - listening live in a small pub. Intimacy reigns here.
Kenny's songs are learning experience not dissimilar to enjoying fine wine. Like developing an admiration of fine wine, as you listen more and more - your appreciation for Kenny's work will grow and grow. So pop the cork by spinning up his new CD and start enjoying fine listening today. You will not be disappointed.--Steve [website]