John Mayer
Where the Light Is

Release Date: 2008 | Tracklist

By now, you all know who John Mayer is. We’ve seen him start out as a humble Acoustic Pop guitarist, who engaged in the same lyrical themes that any other blue eyed, suburban kid may write about. We saw him gain national success with this style, and while, at times he dazzled us with his jazzy blues, acoustic playing (See: ”Neon”), many of us simply stood blank faced, and asked, “What’s the big deal?” But then, a funny event occurred, that prompted much of the music community to turn a complete 180, on their views on John Mayer: he released a Blues album. The idea seemed laughable, that an Acoustic Pop artist could pick up a Fender Stratocaster, and evoke B.B. King, and Eric Clapton, but it was true. From then on, with a whole new level of respect from people who once denied John Mayer, he would shift styles over the next several years until Mayer took the next logical step, and released a live album that combined both his love of the Blues, and his blue eyed Acoustic Pop. Enter, “Where The Light Is”.

Indeed, if there was ever a live album made to showcase all of an artist’ talents into one show, then “Where the Light Is” would fit the bill perfectly. Taking place in Los Angeles, California, on December 8th, 2007, this concert shows the progression of John Mayer’s music. It’s a sprawling album, consisting of 22 cuts (with several covers, and two previously unreleased songs mixed in). The acoustic set is up first, with “Neon” beginning the show. Some staccato Jazz lines are improvised by John, and then the song takes off, along with the set. While “Neon” is a definite highlight, “Daughters” makes use of some delicate slide guitar lines, and “Free Fallin’”, a Tom Petty cover, fair just as well. Overall, the acoustic set just seems like a warm up to the actual show, as its only five songs long, until we get to the next set with the John Mayer Trio.

Without a doubt, the Blues portion of this show is what most people will probably be interested in hearing. For the most part, Mayer just lifts the songs he did on his “Try!” album, while adding the Blues favorite “Everyday I Have the Blues”, which actually ends up being perhaps the biggest highlight of the Blues Set. I’ll admit, for someone who doesn’t listen to much Blues, this set will provide to be fairly entertaining, but will prove to be rather average to avid Blues fans. What you have is the standard level of improvisation, decent rhythm section, and basic warm Blues tones throughout. It’s kind of neat to listen to Mayer’s own style (despite all the blatantly stolen Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar licks), but it gets old rather fast.

While the main set may not be too appealing at a glance for most people, it really is the best part of the night. All of Mayer’s recent hits and notable songs are on here. There’s even a swinging cover of “I Don’t Need No Doctor”, which is wonderfully done complete with sax and guitar solos. The funky “Vultures”, mega hit “Waiting On The World To Change”, and soulful (and on this concert, extended) “Gravity”, all provide to be highlights. Everything else on this last set proves to be at least good, and in many ways at least different from their studio versions. This is where Mayer is at his best, not with the Blues, as many people want to believe, but by playing his own brand of Soul, Pop, Funk, and Blues, all mixed into one package.

If you heard that John Mayer was releasing a live album again, and expected it to be just cuts from his newest album, then think again. Mayer takes songs from all the styles from throughout his career, and throws them into three separate sets. No, this album isn’t flawless, as it was turning out to be an average live album until the final set with his full band. But there’s enough notable stuff on here to recommend it to any Mayer fan. If your not a fan, then this release won’t convert you unfortunately, but you can’t go wrong with this is you have enjoyed previous installments of John Mayer’s music.

Tweet

Recent reviews by this author
The Upsetters Super Ape	Jack Johnson Sleep Through the Static
John Frusciante The Will to Death	Sara Bareilles Little Voice
Eminem Straight from the Lab	U2 All That You Can't Leave Behind

user ratings (255)

rate it Awful - 1 Very Poor - 1.5 Poor - 2 Average - 2.5 Good - 3 Great - 3.5 Excellent - 4 Superb - 4.5 Classic - 5

4.3 superb

Rank: #17 for 2008