Jon Butcher Axis: Live At The Casbah

Glad there is a Live video of Jon back in his heyday in 1983. I remeber following him around Massachusetts and NH during that time. I sang with him back stage once at the Fraulics at Salisbury Beach. What a great band he had and that unique Bluesy Rock sound. He was one of the Pioneering bands on MTV's first Playlist. Him and Michael Jackson. It's a wonder Jon didn't become a lot bigger than he was and got dropped by his record label after a couple of albums. Probably poor management. This guy is way bigger than what he gets credit for. Did ok for himself regardless, ...but just a shame he's not a household name. This video is really a jem of a find for 80's rock fans.

The main drawback to this DVD is the fact that it is culled from a low quality video tape shoot (with attendant low quality sound) from 1984. That being said, "Live at the Casbah" provides a decent doucment of the Jon Buthcer Axis in their heyday (which is especailly welcome for those of us who were too young to get into nightclubs back in 84). As far as the performances, the band is reasonably tight and exhibits excellent muscianship, although Jon sometimes sacrifices precision in his guitar solos for showmanship, but overall his playing and singing are sharp and powerful. The song selection is solid although I would have preferred more material form "Stare at the Sun" and less from "Along the Axis" but this is a minor quibble. I recommend this DVD to anyone who is a Jon Butcher fan.

I do understand that I'm not supposed to understand everything. But I've never understood why Jon Butcher didn't become a household rock name. From the time Jon Butcher Axis was first released on Polydor in 1983, I was a fan. And I just kept waiting and waiting. But his breakout never came. If you want to know why it should have, buy this CD.

This album was almost as good as Barefoot Servants in every regard. Not quite, but pretty damn good. I will play this over and over. The last track (Beal Street) was like a remastered version of Robert Johnson. Fabulous vintage number.

great stuff

Those were good times great band

great dvd delivered on time