The Verdict Is In - Farren Butcher Inc. Hits The Mark

by Joe Miliken

Long-time Boston legends Charlie Farren and Jon Butcher are finally partners in crime,as FBI has released their debut CD together simply titled - you guessed it - Farren Butcher, Inc. The duo are Boston legends, the guitar virtuoso Butcher leading such bands as Johana Wild, The Jon Butcher Axis and Barefoot Servants, while Farren has enjoyed success with The Joe Perry Project, Farrenheit and his own solo career.

Farren and Butcher are very much alike; they are both front men, guitarists, singers, songwriters, and have both written for television and motion pictures. But could they be too much alike to collaborate as a musical entity? Not according to the FBI. "Though others may have anticipated a conflict based on ego, it never happened between us," Jon Butcher stated in a recent, exclusive interview. "Our working relationship was as much about laughter and camaraderie as anything."

In fact, the two had been aware of each others' talents for many years. "We both had some concerns and yes, everyone I spoke with thought musically it would be great, but many wondered aloud how the heck we’d be able to make it work" Charlie Farren said. "As it turns out, there hasn’t been one second of tension or weirdness. I think perhaps, we’re both experienced and secure enough to know ourselves, understand our objectives and be clear on what steps to take.

"Jon and I have known each other since the late 70s when we both had popular Boston-based bands; mine was Balloon and Jon’s was Johana Wild. We were friendly rivals, both vying to be among the top Boston bands. I think our both being front-men, lead singers, lead guitarists, principal writers and band leaders, made us both particularly aware of one another."

After having led his own band in Boston, Butcher moved to Los Angeles and started a career writing and licensing music for movies and television, while Charlie remained in the Boston area and would go on to front his own band (Farrenheit) and enjoy great musical success, before taking on a global position in high-tech developing business with partner firms.

However, and despite being on opposite coasts, Charlie and Jon kept in touch over time as each continued to write, record and perform locally. In fact, Jon would make "guest guitar" appearances on several of Charlie's solo CDs over the years.

Then the economy changed and new paths would be created for both Farren and Butcher. "As my children were now grown and the economy shifted, my 22-year run in high-tech came to and end," Farren said. "As a kid, my parents often warned me that music was fine, but I should have something solid to fall back on, and I found myself feeling fortunate that I had 'music' to fall back on."

It was also the perfect time for Charlie to truly re-connect with Jon, which was something they had been talking about for years. Coincidentally, Jon was going through a similar economic shift, as licensees began reusing music from their libraries more frequently, rather than commissioning new tracks. Therefore,the timing was right for Farren and Butcher to finally collaborate.

"The commercial music business was really changing and it became apparent that another shift was in play, so the timing was certainly right," Butcher said. "Add to that the dissolution of my marriage and all signs seemed to point to myself returning to Boston.

"After talking with Charlie for a few weeks on the phone, I hit Burbank airport and we finally sat face-to-face in a room with acoustic guitars, and just played and talked. It became clear that there was a natural chemistry in our playing, singing and writing, and an easy going vibe that neither of us expected."

The duo began recording in the early summer of 2010 and did all the tracking, editing and mixing in Charlie's home studio, the F-Mansion, before bringing the final mixes to Farren's friend Jay Frigoletto at Master Suite to be mastered. They wrote over 20 songs, some of which they continue to work on and will be using in the future. "We picked the songs they we felt told the right story for us and folks like us," Farren added.

The CD features nine original tracks, as well as remakes of Farren's solo song "Deja Blue" and "East Coast West Coast" from the Joe Perry Project, plus Butcher's "New Man" hit from his Butcher Axis days. "Hold Me Back" and "I Believe In You" are groovin' rockers co-wrote by the duo, while other tracks such as "Soul Mate, "Rolling" and "In My Movie" find a lighter, more sophisticated texture that creates a balance which slides somewhere in between rock and a bluesy sort of soul... with a taste of jazz.

And lest we forget the delicate acoustic guitar work , contrasted by the several smoldering-smooth guitar solos found on "Mule Driver", the aforementioned "Rolling" and "In My Movie" and of course, "East Coast West Coast." It also must be said that the vocals throughout are tasteful, soulful and (here's that word again) smooth.

"I've admired Charlie as a vocalist for years, in fact, since the very first time I saw him perform," Butcher stated. "But beyond that we just clicked as mates, as pals. Perhaps our personality types are similar or maybe it's just synchronicity. Whatever it is, it's been a constant for many years and when we talked that day about my leaving Cali for a return to Boston it just seemed natural, right and timely." "Jon and I both had successful careers in music and when our worlds changed, we had to re-invent ourselves and create successful careers in a new field. And now again, we find ourselves in a third stage… and we’re embracing that. So many folks out there have lost, or are worried about losing their jobs, or their homes or marriage… these types of things. So we wanted to include songs about hopefulness, about empathy for friends having a tough go and about courage, and the joy that comes with hope."

One thing is clear when you spin the disc, you can simply feel that these songs come from within the hearts and souls of these two veteran artists. Friends who have joined forces after all these years, perhaps by fate, to simply let it fly. This fan can only hope there is more to come from the FBI.

To learn more about Farren Butcher, Inc. or to order their new, self-titled CD, visit www.farrenbutcher.com. Also visit Charlie Farren at www.charliefarren.com and Jon Butcher at www.jonbutcher.com.