Search - Jon Butcher :: Wishes

If wishes were horses...

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 05/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...then dreamers would ride.



Released in 1987, Wishes was the fourth studio album by singer/guitarist/songwriter Jon Butcher, who had previously recorded under the name Jon Butcher Axis.



It seems like such a cop-out to compare Jon Butcher to Jimi Hendrix, but at the same time I think it's the most appropriate comparison, and not just for the obvious "black rock guitarist" reason. Both guitarists are/were extremely proficient, even if their styles seem worlds apart at times, and both had very smooth voices that made for some memorable rock music. Compare Hendrix's "Little Wing" or "the Wind Cries Mary" to the title track on this album and you'll see what I'm talking about.



Musically, Wishes is very much a product of its time. It's a rock album, but there are plenty of AOR elements, including the kinds of melodies and keyboards that were so prevalent in the 1980's. It's hard to find another group comparable to Jon Butcher's sound. You hear bits of Asia and Survivor, as well as Bad Company and Thin Lizzy. Butcher plays tug of war with his audience, pulling focus from his powerful emotional vocal performance to his compelling and elegant blues-inspired guitar work and back again. To top it all off, Butcher's lyrics on this album are very powerful, emotional, personal, and relevant, something you definitely didn't see on a lot of other 80's AOR albums.



Wishes is one of the decades best (yet tragically overlooked) albums from an artist that deserved to become a household name. If you're a fan of 80's rock, or just good rock & roll in general, you owe it to yourself to check out Jon Butcher.

"

I Wish

Toothpickgrin | NB, TEXAS | 07/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Holy War gets the attention, but Wishes has great vocals, guitar riffs and a true heart-felt feel to it. You can feel the emotion in Butcher's voice and you know that the song is inspired by something that has happened in his life. This song is on all my "make-out" tapes and CDs because of the effects his voice has on women.

I first heard this compilation on cassette and wore the tape out. I am glad to see that it has made the conversion to CD. It's a shame that this group never had the commerical success it deserves. But those of us that have had the good fortune to hear their work, will always have a place for them in our hearts."