John Mayer

[SteveB]

Especially when there are others far more deserving... like Justin Timerberlake.

And what's your beef with "The Talent"?

goes back to that jealousy thing... skinny ass not particularly great looking dude"singing" crappy pop music who would get his butt kicked vocally by any of the male singers who've been on American Idol.... but he still gets all the chicks.

[ArnieZ]

Not necessarily the most popular take. Mayer is a talented songwriter. While a lot of his acoustic stuff certainly falls into the realm of pop, his acoustic guitar playing is excellent. He writes songs with great hooks and his lyrics aren't any worse than most. His electric stuff may be somewhat generic at times, but he also has times of more inspired playing. I'm not gonna even get into the faces BS or make any assumptions as to whether he's really into it or pretending.

Every guitarist can't be to everyone's liking and there are many who some revere that do nothing for me. I can appreciate their ability and talent but don't like it. Who here wouldn't love to be writing and playing music with some of the best musicians in the world and making a LOT of money. That is exactly what many of us daydreamed about when we started playing in bands.

Those who are most critical have not listened with an open mind to anything that was not on top 40 radio. I can understand JM not holding up well in a comparison to Jeff Beck, but how many do? I love Beck and have all his stuff going back to the Yardbirds. Definitely a genius at what he does, but sometimes there is stuff on his discs that is noise to me, yet I don't judge him by that.

Mayer's biggest problem is jealousy. Hell, I'll admit it. What he's doing looks pretty good to me!

ArnieZ

[instantkarma]

Hm, contrast time again, this time with the fine art of guitar wars. Same Crossroads 2007 dvd (when I'm not watching Tal for the hundredth time), Derek Trucks is playing behind Johnny Winter, who is quite ill but just smoking his signature Highway 61 on slide. Derek is without a doubt one the tastiest players at the show, no slouch at all on slide, yet he is watching the master all the way through the piece, then stands back and applauds Winter. Derek absolutely knows from whence the mojo flows, perhaps better than anyone given his influences. And his set with wife Susan T is great--only wish I coulda been dere. Now, back to Tal--101, 102, ...

[Guest pirateflynn]

I ain't buying this jealousy thing. He's just another manufactured pop star, like JT. Bland, repetitive, investment muzak. He's uninteresting.

[MCChris]

I ain't buying this jealousy thing.

Of course you're not. How could someone who's banged TW (assumedly after moistening her nether region) possibly be jealous of anyone?

[Guest pirateflynn]

I ain't buying this jealousy thing.

Of course you're not. How could someone who's banged TW (assumedly after moistening her nether region) possibly be jealous of anyone?

Do I have to remind you ...... she was Deanna Paris at that time. (not her real name)

[MCChris]

Do I have to remind you ...... she was Deanna Paris at that time. (not her real name)

Unless she was also a different human being at the time, I simply don't give a shit.

[bubs_42]

Well I was going to read all of this thread but it was going in a wierd direction's. So here is my opinion, John Mayer is a great guitarist and a unique singer. His live stuff is much better than the records he puts out because they are just overproduced.. To much of everthing he is so good just striped down. If he is this popular now then I can't wait to see what happens when he get's older and starts to get more control an starts producing himself.

FYI, Even the "John Mayer Trio" disc is just to smooth I was hoping for a rockier, mybe 80's clapton. You know smooth with punch.... O'well..

[Matt Mattson]

OK, he can play when he wants to, but the times I've seen him it looked to much like Dr. Strangelove with a guitar.

Check it:

[tombo]

The big deal about John Mayer is He's an modern pop artist who:

1) Writes his own songs

2) Plays an instrument well

3) Gives a good live performance

4) Drives the ladies crazy

5) Isn't a sullen asshole

Lowered standards perhaps, but is there anyone else playing pop that you can say that about? I like his pop stuff myself, but can't really understand why people get all in a lather about him either way.

-

Austin

+1.

Another +1.

I like him a lot. I like all four CDs I have by him - Continuum, Live, Heavier Things, and Room For Squares. I'm in agreement with Austin on this. Why all the animosity? Read Austin's points 1 - 5, plus he's played on-stage with E.C., Buddy Guy, et al, and he's got Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino in his band.

For Jettster: I like Joe Bonamassa too, but even though J.B. might be more "in your face", I think J.M. is a better songwriter. It seems everything I hear by J.B. is him playing "in the style of ______" and I'm not just talking in the style of SRV or whatever. It's like "here's my shuffle, here's my funky thing, here's my slow Tin Pan Alley thing, here's my acoustic resonator thing." All expertly played, but I wonder: Where's your Joe Bonamassa thing?????? Yes, J.M. will play SRV solos on occasion, but his songs are what sets him apart. Continuum is really a nice album, ymmv.

Note to Chris M.: You will soon have"Continuum" in your CD collection with the Japanese bonus tracks (live stuff with S.J. & P.P.)

[jettster]

For Jettster: I like Joe Bonamassa too, but even though J.B. might be more "in your face", I think J.M. is a better songwriter. It seems everything I hear by J.B. is him playing "in the style of ______" and I'm not just talking in the style of SRV or whatever. It's like "here's my shuffle, here's my funky thing, here's my slow Tin Pan Alley thing, here's my acoustic resonator thing." All expertly played, but I wonder: Where's your Joe Bonamassa thing?????? Yes, J.M. will play SRV solos on occasion, but his songs are what sets him apart. Continuum is really a nice album, ymmv.

Hey now I did specify that I liked Joe B’s singing and playing better but also gave credit to to JM for having some decent tunes. I’ve seen Joe live a few times and that guy is totally insane live, he can play the paint off a guitar. He’s got soul and feel for days, slide, acoustic, finger picking, shred, phrasing, tone, there aren’t any holes in his playing. Maybe he is so versatile and can play so many different styles there is no one specific “Joe” sound?

Actually I like Joe B’s older songs the best “A New Day Yesterday” has some killer tunes on there. “Colour And Shape” is one of my favorites, “Miss You, Hate You” is a great catchy tune, there’s some good stuff on that one. “So, it’s Like That” also has some killer tunes. Check them out if you haven’t. I think he lost some of his identity when trying to appease the “Blues traditionalists” around “You & Me” seems like he simplified his playing and tunes. He also changed his rhythm section around that time and moved away from Strats too. Even so, I saw him on that tour and he was still phenomenal.

I’ve got nothing but respect for the Robert Johnsons, BB Kings, Buddy Guys, etc and realize that without those guys people like Joe B. may never have played guitar. That being said I much prefer listening to SRV, Joe B, and Walter Trout type Blues.

I'll have to give Continuum a try I already like "Belief" anyway.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, the only person that comes to mind for generating more controversy is Yngwie.

[Guest Meshuggah]

And Jimmy Page...

[Mindseyes]

if DM is the antichrist

T H E N

Jimmy Page is the lord!

We R not worthy!

Can we bash on Kurt Cobain now

)))FLAME SUITE ON((((

its just music, i try to find at least a little something to like

in whatever i hear ..........have a great weekend guys!

[MCChris]

Actually I like Joe B’s older songs the best “A New Day Yesterday” has some killer tunes on there. “Colour And Shape” is one of my favorites, “Miss You, Hate You” is a great catchy tune, there’s some good stuff on that one. “So, it’s Like That” also has some killer tunes. Check them out if you haven’t. I think he lost some of his identity when trying to appease the “Blues traditionalists” around “You & Me” seems like he simplified his playing and tunes. He also changed his rhythm section around that time and moved away from Strats too. Even so, I saw him on that tour and he was still phenomenal.

Agree 100%. Had he stuck with the direction on those two albums and not gone down the blooze road, he'd be a big star on CMT by now.

[Zoner]

My take, if anyone gives a rat's, is that he is a talented individual that has done what is the most important thing in music very well - bring joy to others through his work. Those that he appeals most to probable don't care one bit about his "chops", but enjoy what he is putting out and that is a great thing. If he is capable of making people FEEL just by performing, he is way ahead of the curve. Sure he make goofy faces and has written some "poppy" songs, but he is capable of inspiring true emotion(positive and negative) just by simply doing what he obviously loves. Lucky guy, JM. And someone who just happens to be living what is a dream for most of us. People get too hung up on "technical ability" or "tone" or "cred" and get all judgenmental, but forget what this music thing is all about - tapping into emotion. And on that count, he is a huge success. I own none of his albums and don't know if he is a "guitar god", but I don't agree that he deserves the hate that is thrown his way. He also doesn't seem to take himself too seriously which is kinda refreshing. Z

[Guest pirateflynn]

That's cool but I still don't get it. I love pop songs and catchy vocals, just not his.

Would somebody please post a vid of him jamming on guitar?

[ArnieZ]

Here's a couple of recent ones.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WtY8Zu8I_AA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xr2ehE2Pf-I

ArnieZ

[Guest pirateflynn]

I have to confess .... I probably confuse him Dave Matthews sometimes. His guitar playing is better than I thought before and it's cool that he has found a way to incorporate guitar skills into pop radio rock, if the studio versions are the same. I personally don't like his tunes or voice but I can understand why other folks like him.

[BadgerDave]

Mayer is one of a small handfull of musicians that I actively dislike. Others include Kenny G. and, of course, Dave Matthews.

The common denominator is that, while all three have technical ability, none of them use it in a creative or challenging way. There is no "soul" in their music. They don't offer anything that causes you to perk up your ears and say, "That's interesting".

Pleasant, yes, good dinner music, yes. Nice to have on in the background, OK.

Of course, that's true of many other musicians as well. In fact, the entire pop, light jazz, easy listening, MOR, AOL, modern country, etc. formats are comprised of similar acts. So why does Mayer piss me off every time I hear his name?

Because:

a. he oozes affectation and

b. he's a smug. pretentious smarmy little bastard.

Here's a perfect comparison. Listen to just about anything written and recorded by Richard Thompson. Note the singing. Note the guitar playing. Then listen to anything by John Mayer. Most of us would agree that Mayer is a technically better vocalist and his guitar playing is "better" in terms of playing the expected notes and patterns.

But listen to the lyrics and how the singing and playing fit the song. With Meyer you get cliches and syrupy pablum. With Thompson you get irony, dry humor, creativity and a mastery at hitting exactly the right "off" note to make you go "Damn!"

Meyer has never, ever made me go "Damn!"

Another comparison. JM is fast food. Serves a purpose, takes no effort and leaves you with a sort of greasy, queasy feeling after.

[Kramer_nut]

Meyer has never, ever made me go "Damn!"

I agree 100%, I have seen both JM and Joe Bonamassa live. The first time I saw John Mayer do "Texas Flood" I was amazed, but when he plays his original blues I think it really shows his weakness. However Joe Bonamassa is 100 times the player that John M is. He may not be the lady killer Mayer is but Joe will kick Mayer's butt live! If you haven't gone to see Joe go see him, you won't be dissapointed!!

Just my .02

Todd

[hamerican gigolo]

With all due respect,i have heard worse players tham JM being championed on this &

other forums. I would like Joe B. a lot better if he would cut down the distortion. I want

to hear blues,not Black Sabbath.

[BubbaVO]

So is JM with his technical ability and face contortions, just a modern day Carlos Santana? (duck)

[SteveB]

So is JM with his technical ability and face contortions, just a modern day Carlos Santana? (duck)

anybody that disses Carlos nees to go back and listen to the first three albums. He basically invented a new genre of rock music, not many can make that claim.

[BubbaVO]

Actually, that's not quite correct. Anybody can make a claim about anything.

[Willie G. Moseley]

I don't know that Santana invented a new genre, but the approach of the original lineup was innovative in its time---diverse lineup w/ music that had diverse sources...and I'm an individual who detests the "feel-goodism" of the way the term "diversity" is batted around nowadays.

On the other hand, it isn't out of line to opine that Carlos practically invented an enduring guitar tone ("The Cry") although he was influenced in that sound by Javier Batiz of Tijuana.

Can't say that Mayer has come up with a new tone, either, based on what I've heard...although Bonamassa has occasionally pulled off some interesting-if-slightly-derivative sounds, IMO.

Saw the original incarnation of Santana in October '69 in Atlanta w/ Joe Cocker & the Grease Band and Chicago. I think one of the reasons the original Santana went over so well in concert was Chepito Areas and Michael Carabello both flailing away on side-by-side congas (although Chepito played timbales on occasion). Something like that hadn't been seen or heard in a rock band context before. Carlos had his SG Special.