Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles : John Mayer : Review : Rolling Stone

In the studio, John Mayer comes across as a technically proficient singer, songwriter and guitarist, although he can sound somewhat emotionally removed from his material. But on this two-disc live CD set (a DVD is sold separately), he proves he's not just another easy-listening singer-songwriter with a better-than-average knack for the blues. The album features three separate acts — acoustic folk, power-trio blues and full-band rock — and Mayer lets his guitar go anarchic on each one. It's clear that he's really feeling the music when he launches into the protest R&B of his 2006 hit "Waiting on the World to Change," and when he quotes a few bars of Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams to Remember" before segueing into his own soulful "Gravity." Groupies will swoon over the opening five-song acoustic set of lightweight favorites like "Daughters," but it's when Mayer trots out the power trio that his blues licks get red-hot, peaking with the squalling, 10-minute guitar workout "Out of My Mind," where he conjures Hendrix not just in the riffage but also in the question he asks his audience midway into the song: "Can I play my GIT-tar? Can I play it loud?" Easy listening? Not this set.

MARK KEMP

(Posted: Jul 1, 2008)

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Give us your review of Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

Review 1 of 10

5of 5 Stars

im pretty much down with what ever john does. i mean he's such a powerful writer and singer.
hes just awsome :]

Oct 5, 2008 10:07:19

Review 2 of 10

5of 5 Stars

JM has a level of technical skills equal to a handful of breathing guitarists. He may not be innovative in terms of sound, but his song writing kicks ass and so do his solos. Damn fucking good unique voice on top of that.

Bold as Love and Free Fallin' are phenomenal

He plays the blues like they should be played with intricacy, i.e. Come When I Call

cant get enough of this dude

Aug 1, 2008 15:16:07

Review 3 of 10

5of 5 Stars

I thought mayer was just another baladeer the college girls loved. Then I heard the " Try" album. Then I saw him. Then I bought this record. This guy has talent.So what if some of his guitar lick sound like SRV or Hendrix? They copied the the great early blues artists. His blus stuff is what makes this record great..

Jul 14, 2008 12:17:42

Review 4 of 10

3of 5 Stars

Anarchic, really? Mayer's playing is about as anarchic as a changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. He represents Hendrix and the blues about as well as Taco Bell represents Mexican food. It sounds like I hate it, but I don't. If you're going to mimick something, what he chooses is top notch. Just don't fool yourself folks.

Jul 9, 2008 11:56:01

Review 5 of 10

4of 5 Stars

great idea to combine all three sets. im a petty fan and when i heard JM did a cover of free fallin i had my doubts but he pulled it off. guitar and vocals kicked some ass. good album.

Jul 8, 2008 20:27:11

Review 6 of 10

2of 5 Stars

Sure, JM's playing is good, but I wouldn't say it was 'great'! There were moments when his playing was just downright sloppy, and most of his 'signature' licks are all rip offs of other 'great' players, and in fact, he even goes so far as to say this after the blues set. I mean, have you all forgotten his biggest hit to date- 'Waiting on the World to Change' is a total rip off of 'People Get Ready' by Curtis Mayfield?!?!
It's a better than average DVD, and worth the money, and Mark Kemp almost got it right when he said:
"In the studio, John Mayer can come across as a technically proficient musician who's emotionally removed from his material. But on this live CD/DVD collection, he proves he's not just another easy-listening singer-songwriter with a better-than-average knack for the blues. Playing three separate acts — acoustic folk, power-trio blues, and full-band rock — Mayer lets his guitar go anarchic..."
I wouldn't go so far as to say he let his guitar go "anarchic." I thought his playing WAS lacking emotion and I almost got the sense he ws removing himself from the performance- almost seeming contrived- like he was too cool to care. He SHOULD stick to pop/easy listening songwriting, because those blues shoes that either he's trying to fill or the public is trying so desperately to put him in are just not quite the right size yet...

Jul 8, 2008 07:04:11

Review 7 of 10

5of 5 Stars

I am pretty much down with anything John does.

Jul 6, 2008 20:45:37

Review 8 of 10

4of 5 Stars

its time for all the haters to pipe down..john mayer is definately one of the more up and coming guitar players of the next generation, sure there are still better and more prolific players, but this man is just begining to scratch the surface of his potential, hes just getting started. i look for more orginality in his blues playing, just like every one else..but im definately looking forward to it. this album shows hes well on his way.

Jul 4, 2008 09:19:06

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