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John Mayer
Where The Light Is: Live in Los Angeles
By Nicole Roberge
John Mayer is a man of many talents. Those who know his music recognize his prowess on the guitar, songwriting craft and his ability to capture different genres — showing his true musicianship and that he isn’t just a guy with some hit singles. That might be the way some know him. This CD will show those people otherwise. Whether a huge fan or occasional listener, this is an album that will pull anyone in and keep him or her there.
Mayer has divided the album into three sets on two discs. Disc one is the acoustic and blues trio set and disc two features the full band set. Both are absorbing and feature a versatile mix of music from Mayer’s catalogue. The acoustic set showcases how Mayer started, with just him and a guitar, and features songs from Room for Squares, Heavier Things and Continuum, as well as a surprisingly refreshing cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin.’” The acoustic set shows how you don’t need all the sparks and added vigor for a good song — it’s already there in its most raw form, and he does it quite well.
Mayer grew up listening to the blues, and does a nice job now of playing them. He played as the “John Mayer Trio” in support of his album TRY! and the second set displays those songs: a mix of originals and covers that completely changes it up from the first set. From Hendrix’s “Bold as Love” to Mayer’s own “Vultures,” we don’t hear a guy trying to sell albums. Rather, we hear a guy who loves making music. Set three brings in the full band, and a lot of guitar solos, which seemingly make Mayer, and the audience, happy. Opening with “Waiting on the World to Change” off his recent album, he then paces himself with softer songs like “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” and brings it back to his earlier days with “Why Georgia.” Where the Light Is presents a good mix of songs, dynamics and genres to please any ear, but more importantly, it’s just good music you can appreciate.
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