1 Topic by Curby (edited by Curby 2012-03-06 09:10:58)

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Topic: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

Just when I thought I was losing interest in music, the guy who jump-started me back in '07 comes out with a new release.  I don't know if the new album will rival the Trio Live or Continuum albums, but this one song is much better than anything off Battle Studies.  Mining Pete Carr riffs along with a pedal-steel guitar, the song carries a personal message that I find genuine and refreshing.  Love him or hate him John Mayer is still a major player in the business.

http://youtu.be/S4FC9iuftAA

Also found this song from Reed Thomas Lawrence that features Mayer on guitar and Robbie McIntosh on slide.  Good stuff!

http://youtu.be/FKz-QD6YHdk

  • From: Bangor, Wales, Uk
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I don't know why Battle Studies gets such a bad rap. I really like it..

  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I think it was pretty hard to follow up Continuum. Battle Studies was good, I enjoy it, but Continuum is still my favorite by him.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I'm a bit surprised this thread garnered little interest.  In my mind, not only is John Mayer (still) a major player in the music business, but also a much needed ambassador for the blues genre. 
If anyone asked me who's the most underrated guitarist I'd quickly say John Mayer.  I was disappointed by his last album, but how many artists have produced an album like Continuum?  I wish he'd do a follow up with his blues trio, but realize it's a side project for him.
I don't know exactly what Born and Raised (5/22 release date) will sound like, but I guarantee it'll be a major 2012 release.

  • From: N.Wales, UK
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I like the blues how I like my steak. Blue or raw.
This is neither.

  • Registered: 2008-06-16
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I would have to agree with Dave on this one, it's more like light blues pop to me. The steel guitar is nice and it's very listenable, it's not bad music but just doesn't have any kick to it. I never have really liked his voice, don't know why that is. I will concede that he is a good guitar player, no argument there. Looks like he's trying to straddle the fence between blues and something that will make money. It should be a top seller when it comes out.

Tres

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

DaveWammbarro wrote:

I like the blues how I like my steak. Blue or raw.
This is neither.

Your point???  Where is it stated the album's a blues album?

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

No doubt about it, a good song - something seemingly simple and uncluttered almost as if he's looking back to earlier stuff. Have to admit, I found Battle Studies a bit of a dip, but looks like this is pulling him back.

Whether or not it's "blues" you can argue among yourselves, it's a cracking piece of music and that's enough for this boy.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

ahsmith33 wrote:

I would have to agree with Dave on this one, it's more like light blues pop to me. The steel guitar is nice and it's very listenable, it's not bad music but just doesn't have any kick to it. I never have really liked his voice, don't know why that is. I will concede that he is a good guitar player, no argument there. Looks like he's trying to straddle the fence between blues and something that will make money. It should be a top seller when it comes out.

Tres

Good points.  To each his own here, but I feel Mayer's conundrum will forever be pleasing all his fans.  Is he straddling the fence to just make money?  I suppose that's a possibility, but I'll say I don't think so.  The thing that separates Mayer from most of the people ballyhooed here is the age of his listeners.  Modern blues for me is becoming static.  It's okay with me if someone with a different vision looks down a different road.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I think he's going in a country/folk direction. Maybe playing off the popularity of bands like The Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons, or maybe he hung out with Taylor Swift too much.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: Missoula, Montana
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I'm sorry, but this sounds like the same lame pop crap that was on his last album

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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

Just saw where his throat problems have returned, and he's taking an indefinite break from performing live. Bummer. sad

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

I like the tune, thanks for posting. John Mayer is a very good guitar player, plays all the right notes. Blues, or pop, he's good. I don't like all his stuff, but I like more than I don't like. Really dig the trio version he plays with. Love Steve Jordan.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

helrazr84 wrote:

Really dig the trio version he plays with. Love Steve Jordan.

me too helraz, here's steve laying down a solid grove - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5YZtJk … re=related
Looking forward to John's new CD.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

Brack wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:

Really dig the trio version he plays with. Love Steve Jordan.

me too helraz, here's steve laying down a solid grove - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5YZtJk … re=related
Looking forward to John's new CD.

Awesome! Is that not the best sounding snare ever?! I just like his style and overall approach. I'm not much of a drummer but I always watch drummers very closely. Listening for nuances and differences among them all and their drums, sounds etc.. Love how he doesn't play everything right on the beat, but his rhythm is flawless.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

Deezer wrote:

Just saw where his throat problems have returned, and he's taking an indefinite break from performing live. Bummer. sad

Too bad! I missed him at the Heineken Music Hall because he was ill too. Really like to see him live.
I think the new song is sweet, but I really like his more groovy work with the JM Trio better,  that's my fav cd of JM.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

Curby wrote:
ahsmith33 wrote:

I would have to agree with Dave on this one, it's more like light blues pop to me. The steel guitar is nice and it's very listenable, it's not bad music but just doesn't have any kick to it. I never have really liked his voice, don't know why that is. I will concede that he is a good guitar player, no argument there. Looks like he's trying to straddle the fence between blues and something that will make money. It should be a top seller when it comes out.

Tres

Good points.  To each his own here, but I feel Mayer's conundrum will forever be pleasing all his fans.  Is he straddling the fence to just make money?  I suppose that's a possibility, but I'll say I don't think so.  The thing that separates Mayer from most of the people ballyhooed here is the age of his listeners.  Modern blues for me is becoming static.  It's okay with me if someone with a different vision looks down a different road.

That is because he became famous first for doing something other than the Blues regarding the age of his listeners, mainly pop.  He does different types of music, is on a major label, and won Grammys.  That is how he got his fame, not Blues.

I love traditional Blues, all types of Blues including Blues Rock.

He's a good talent, but I haven't heard anything from him that has Innovated or Revolutionized Blues music.

He self-anointed himself as "the only one" that can bring Blues music back to the forefront. Still waiting since he put that label on himself. John Mayer is his biggest fan.

For me there are others that play Blues music better than he. too bad the youth only go to him, because they are missing out on better.

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Re: John Mayer New Single: "Shadow Days"

RiverCat:
I agree his (John's) blues guitar playing doesn't define him as a guitar player or come across as much of anything original, and thats fine, but it is a good thing that some people who may not have previously had an interest in Blues Music might now have an elevated curiosity in it due to hearing John play his versions of blues classics etc.. I have always thought his voice and more acoustic music have defined who he is but also I think he breathes some fresh life into older blues songs making them more appealing to a newer generation of listeners. Regardless if it were blues, jazz, funk or whatever he was doing, I think its good to broaden your musical horizons and give other things a listen. Don't have to like it, but nothing wrong in trying new things.