Published on Jan 20, 1998
One of the difficult pleasures I encounter constantly with this
job is picking up an album expecting to hear one style, only to
discover an entirely different genre. Most of the time this is a
delight for me, allowing me to explore an entirely new avenue of
music – but it makes writing the review incredibly difficult.
Case in point: Australian folk musician Archie Roach. His
American record label is noted for its blues artists, but his third
release
Looking For Butter Boy is nowhere near this genre. Instead,
his blend of rock, outback folk and painfully personal stories is a
style all its own.
At times, Roach and his band sound like Australia’s answer to
John Hiatt, but Hiatt never wrote songs as seriously deep as these.
In the course of fifty-some minutes, Roach tackles such difficult
subjects as poverty, prejudice, spirituality, the loss of a parent
and realizing one’s own shortcomings, all without losing his own
persona or the listener’s interest. And though a few efforts fall
short, this is, by far, a solid effort that should make a name for
Roach on these shores.
When Roach plays the folk-pop artist, he creates a magical
groove that captures you within moments. “My Grandmother” is a
prime example of this, interweaving the guitar work of Roach and
Dave Steel with Kerry Gilmartin’s bass work and percussion provided
by Archie Cuthbertson (as well as the vocals of Roach’s wife Ruby
Hunter) into a tightly-knit rhythm. “Beggar Man” also captures a
similar, though slightly weaker, groove – and almost lost in the
tribal beat is the serious message of poverty and how we treat the
downtrodden.
For each message of celebration on
Looking For Butter Boy is also a message of pain. The album
itself was a journey of rediscovery for Roach, who recorded the
album near the area where he grew up. (The album’s title is based
on a childhood nickname Roach had.) “F Troop,” one of the most
beautiful songs on this album, shows Roach reminiscing about his
brother from their reunion to his brother’s death. Another poignant
moment follows on “Mother’s Heartbeat,” a song that I defy anyone
to say they’re not moved by in some way.
For a few tracks, it seems that Roach is telling the story of
his life – and reliving a childhood of pain. “My Grandmother” seems
to start it off, leading to “F Troop” and “Mother’s Heartbeat,”
which ends with Roach being sent elsewhere to live after his
mother’s death. In “Djabugai Lady,” it seems like Roach discovers
someone he can confide his pain to in his new home, and forms a
true bond with them.
But Roach also wishes to celebrate the human existence, as he
does on “Dancing (With My Spirit)”, “Hold On Tight” and “Give Unto
Caesar”. No matter the message in the lyrics, Roach conveys the
true feelings of the human condition – and though this is a deep
listen that will take a few plays on the old CD player, it’s worth
the effort to understand.
Roach has been growing in popularity and status with each album
he releases.
Looking For Butter Boy should be the one to break him into
the big time – that is, if all things were fair in this industry.
This one is worth the search – but expect to be changed in some way
after you get the message of this album.