John Butler Oceans Live - Best recording ever - Port Fairy Folk Festival 2012 

I felt it was a tad too long.

It’s because he builds it up so much and is peaking right as it finishes. I wish he hit that chord progression at the end for a touch longer. Literally my favorite part

Like ocean is a never ending or feels like we'd like this song to be like this

I only hope he sees my message and knows how much his music means to me and helped me through some tough times

no

John butler ocean studio

where did u find that info???

one punch man johnbutlertrio.com/ocean-2012/ I don't believe it necessarily took JB 19 years to write Ocean. What I believe the previous commenter was implying is that John's relationship with this arrangement is constantly evolving, and John himself does not consider it a finished work (he says that in a live recording while introducing the song; I believe it is on the Live at Red Rocks album. It may also be on the Tin Shed Tales recording).

He better not fu** it up. ;)

@@dzikiwazon It won't matter if he does.

That 100% makes sense to me.... Whenever I pick my guitar up sometimes it just flows from picking up guitar to having a complete tune almost in the blink of an eye and my brain just goes wtf but it leaves my heart and soul smiling knowing that something truly special has just happened.

amen

@@lordyoda8555 aggreed ❤

Yes dude ❤

This is very true. I have discovered one song just as you described here and it is by far the best music that ever came out of my soul. I had no idea I could "create" something that good.

nice one man

Yeh, he was off on this night, ive heard him nail this song in other videos. But the mistakes let us know he's only human and to not treat him like an idol.

Well that was very well written, and exactly what i was thinking listening to him, thank u for your comment

The mistakes are because this piece is very difficult since it is an improv song. It's easy to do when you do it the same but not this song. (When you remove your comment instead of edit D: )

WarFare11234 haha know that feeling. Yes that is very true. Got to admire that man!

Kayla Marshall there are no mistakes when it is your music only revisions everyone I listen to him play it live you can feel a different emotion in it which makes it a new experience everytime you listen

I actually do find it a little frustrating. The reason he is making mistakes isn't because he isn't good enough to play it, but he improvs off the scales he has grown accustomed to. He could play it perfectly but he'd rather free style through a large portion of it. That's fine and all, but it's one of my favorite instrumental guitar pieces of all time, and I wish there was a perfect live recording of his newer variants of it. This performance in particular, he makes quite a few mistakes. I'd be upset if he continuously messed up my favorite song yet I watch his performance at Max or Red Rocks and he blows the song out of the park.

njl4515 I understand that but I personally love this version. i get what you mean though.

There is no one best ever, everyone interprets it differently. Some versions may have a special meaning to them, there are different variations of it played. There are many reasons someone can make an argument for what they thinking’s the best version. Personally I love the red rocks version and what he has to say b4 playing it. To each their own, it’s an epic song and journey everytime it’s played.

California Roots festival is the best live version IMHO

What would you say is the best performance

@@rinzler7578 check out the max sessions 2014 performance, as I remember that is a flawless performance

lol ahahah wtf you listening to peasant?

Ok? Don't know what that means? That's a pretty derogatory term to use. Put on some decent headphones and crank it. Listen to the very beginning before he starts to play......again @ 00:25 when he retunes a string..... again @ 00:51. You may hear very slight buzzing sound when his hands leave the strings? That's what I'm talking about, ungrounded 60hz. It runs throughout the recording causing other facets of acoustic and electronic distortion. It's just my opinion, we all have one. Don't get too bent outta shape. If you think it's the best that's fine, I get it. It doesn't take away from John's ungodly talent or music ability. Just an observation, I spent too much time working in the business, I'm an engineer and probably makes me way too critical. Hope you enjoy his next version? I can't wait, he's such an incredible joy? Peace.

❣ lucky you ❣