Album Review: Funky Tonight Live From The 2007 Aria Awards by The John Butler Trio with Special Guest Keith Urban
Alright, let’s get into this one. So, Funky Tonight Live From The 2007 Aria Awards is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. It’s not perfect, but it’s got this raw energy that makes it stick. Released back in 2007 under Jarrah Records, it’s a live gig showcasing The John Butler Trio doing what they do best—rocking out with their signature alternative rock vibes. Oh, and did I mention Keith Urban shows up? Yeah, that’s right. Country-meets-rock chaos, baby.
First off, the title track, “Funky Tonight (Live From The 2007 Aria Awards),” is just… wild. Like, it’s loose, it’s groovy, and it’s got this jammy feel that feels like you’re right there in the crowd, beer in hand, vibin’ hard. John Butler’s guitar work is nuts—he’s shredding but in this super smooth way that doesn’t feel forced. You can hear the audience going mental during the solos, which honestly adds to the charm. It’s not polished or overproduced—it’s messy in all the right ways. Feels human, ya know?
Then there’s the moment when Keith Urban jumps in. I don’t wanna spoil too much, but dude brings this whole other level of swagger. His vocals blend surprisingly well with Butler’s vibe, even though they’re coming from totally different worlds musically. It’s unexpected, sure, but somehow it works. There’s this bit where Urban’s guitar lines weave in and out of Butler’s riffs—it’s like they’re having a musical conversation, and you’re just lucky enough to be listening in.
Honestly, this album isn’t gonna blow your mind if you’re looking for something groundbreaking. But it’s fun. It’s real. And sometimes that’s all you need. Tracks like “Funky Tonight” remind me why live albums are so cool—they capture moments you can’t recreate in a studio. Mistakes, cheers, random bursts of applause—it’s all part of the experience.
Here’s the kicker though: halfway through listening to this, I started wondering… what if more artists teamed up with people outside their genre like this? Imagine Beyoncé showing up at a metal concert. Or Billie Eilish crashing a jazz set. Nah, actually, maybe don’t imagine that last one. Could get weird real fast.
Anyway, point is, Funky Tonight Live From The 2007 Aria Awards might not change your life, but it’ll definitely give you some good stories to tell. Or at least make you wanna grab a guitar and annoy your neighbors.
