1 Topic by JBSRV (edited by JBSRV 2008-10-19 20:31:21)

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Topic: John Mayer

I have enjoyed Mayer ever since I heard his version of "Bold As Love" so today I bought his new album "Where The Light Is". Listening to the CD on my computer, I solved the argument that has been going on in my head for months. " Is he too 'poppy' or is he a true blues man?" I think John has brought a new genre to the modern mainstream... modern pop-blues. Does this sound crazy? Yes, I guess, but I think it's happening. He plays blues infused pop songs to thousands of mainstream fans who would just as quickly pick up a rap CD when they got home from the concert. This introduces SRV and B.B. King to thousands of people who, before, were listening to 50 Cent and Madonna.

I linked a video of John playing SRV's Cold Shot on this forum a week ago. Much to my astonishment, it seemed to fit well with the rest of his set. Maybe John isn't the first to play this sort of thing but I think he is the only one right now that is bringing Blues to such a mainstream audience. I'm loving the way he is going right now, and I love his music.

So I guess I'm okay with "Your Body Is A Wonderland" if he can follow that up with "Everyday I Have The Blues".

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • Registered: 2008-08-16
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Re: John Mayer

Same here, Eric.

A pal at work has been after me to check out the video of him playing in L.A. I think it's the dvd that is a companion to the disc you have. I'll check that detail later. The point is that as I write this, I am watching the video. As it happens, it's being broadcast on one of the new HD channels. I'm to report, I've underestimated him as a blues guitarist. He's aquitted himselve well. So now I'll be picking up that disc as well.



The 7th Son

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  • Registered: 2006-06-16
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Re: John Mayer

If you actually listen to his earlier pop influenced music, you will realize the blues is there in every tune.  Mayer makes sure to include the blues in every song he plays in one form or another.

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Re: John Mayer

Vette335 wrote:

If you actually listen to his earlier pop influenced music, you will realize the blues is there in every tune.  Mayer makes sure to include the blues in every song he plays in one form or another.

I haven't listened to his earliest stuff. That's good news... I'll check it out.

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Heading west on 80....
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: John Mayer

Not a big fan, like him better than some of the others mentioned on this forum. I enjoy how he does keep a bit of blues around, but mainly from what I've seen, he doesn't take himself too seriously. Seems to have a good time whether its a corny VH cover or SRV. He knows he's walkin in tall cotton and doesn't seem to forget it.

PC

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Re: John Mayer

pcornell wrote:

Not a big fan, like him better than some of the others mentioned on this forum. I enjoy how he does keep a bit of blues around, but mainly from what I've seen, he doesn't take himself too seriously. Seems to have a good time whether its a corny VH cover or SRV. He knows he's walkin in tall cotton and doesn't seem to forget it.

PC

I can see what you're saying, but I do think he is doing a good thing with the blues right now. I have to say though, I hate that he's playing VH... I don't know why but I can't stand it.

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
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Re: John Mayer

I bought the DVD ages ago and have watched it many times since (as I posted on here previously). Not everyone's thang I know but it works for me.

Geoff

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Re: John Mayer

If you listen to his first two albums, which were the poppiest, you'll still notice they are really well written tunes. thats the most important thing, sometimes it seems like some people only heard Your Body Is A Wonderland and discount his pop stuff because of that. Check out his first album Room For Squares, some great examples of songwriting on there.

-Jess
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  • Registered: 2008-02-14
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Re: John Mayer

Its interesting to hear good things about Mayer's earlier albums, which I'm not familiar with, but I do like Trio Live, Continuum and I recently bought the new life release (as a CD, with two young kids no time for DVDs!). I like it, not all the time, as a prefer my blues a little rockier

I think its a good thing that someone is bringing some blues to the mainstream. Hopefully this will lead some of his fans to discover more blues based music (like Joe).

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
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Re: John Mayer

When my 16 year old daughter wasn't at home one day recently, I decided to spend a couple of hours organizing her drawers/closet. She has her ipod in one of those gadgets with speakers. I just touched it once and John Mayer came on and I listened to a loop of John Mayer for almost three hours.  (She listens to him every day getting ready for school.) He doesn't have the kind of voice I enjoy for that long of a time, but my conclusion by the end of the project was...he has a way with words, some of his lyrics are incredible, he is an excellent song writer.  Going back to Wonderland....this is brilliant..."One pair of candy lips and Your bubblegum tongue"...The lyrics to waiting on the world to change are powerful...hmmm, maybe that's where some picked up one of the newer buzz word...

Love these lines...
"And when you trust your television
What you get is what you got
Cause when they own the information, oh
They can bend it all they want "    (holy smokes, so spot on)

Also, I think there's a reason why John wrote my stupid mouth...he's one eccentric dude and has been laughing all the way to the bank for years, definitely doesn't take himself too seriously.

Keep in mind, I've taken my daughter the last two summers to see him live, would have never gone if it wasn't for her, enjoyed his blues set this last summer.  My daughter wished John had long sleeves on, she hates his sleeve tattoo, but otherwise thinks he's absolutely perfect!  She likes the way John covers Jimi and she loves all his pop stuff.  I'd like to hear someone with a deeper voice sing some of the classic John Mayer tunes IMHO!

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  • Registered: 2008-02-14
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Re: John Mayer

Great story Angela! Yes his lyrics are really good, Waiting For The World To Change is a good one lyrically too. I do understand why his voice is not too everyone's taste.

Jane H. wrote:

I prefer his pop stuff to his Blues stuff. usually

Actually I think the best tracks are the ones that combine pop and rock, Gravity in particular could be called a pop blues classic.

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
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Re: John Mayer

Slow dancing in a burning room is quite a powerful song too imo great bluesy song one of my favs by him