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AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
A greatly in-demand studio player throughout his life, guitarist Billy Butler fortunately had opportunities to lead four albums for Prestige along with a couple of slightly later European records. Butler was a versatile musician who, on ballads in particular displayed a very interesting sound, sometimes sliding between notes as if he were playing a steel guitar. This 1998 CD reissues all of the music from Butler's first (This Is Billy Butler) and fourth (Night Life) Prestige records. Despite the generic title and a few grooving tracks, the music doesn't have much to do with acid jazz and is generally in the soul jazz vein. Butler performs some standards (including "Work Song," "Wave," "In a Mellow Tone" and a memorable rendition of "Cherry") along with some basic originals. His sidemen include either Houston Person or Jesse Powell on tenors, Ernie Hayes or Johnny "Hammond" Smith on keyboards (electric piano or organ), electric bassist Bob Bushnell, and Rudy Collins or Jimmy Johnson on drums. This is the definitive Billy Butler release and is highly recommended, particularly to listeners not familiar with his rather distinctive sound.
Billy Butler: guitar (bass on "Bass-ic Blues");
Houston Person, Jesse Powell: tenor sax;
Ernie Hayes: piano, organ;
Johnny Hammond Smith organ;
Bob Bushnell: electric bass;
Rudy Collins, Jimmy Johnson: drums.
1. The Twang Thang 00:00
2. Cherry 05:17
3. Work Song 12:03
4. The Soul Roll 17:59
5. She Is My Inspiration 22:42
6. Bass-ic Blues 27:56
7. Nightlife 33:22
8. Wave 39:20
9. Watch What Happens 45:14
10. Peacock Alley 50:20
11. Prelude To A Kiss 54:31
12. In A Mellow Tone 59:40
Recording Date: December 16, 1968 & December 21, 1970
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