When his first album came out he was playing at Clapton's Crossroads Festival. I figured he must be pretty good. He gets himself quoted in all sorts of guitar publications. He has a Signature Series Fender Strat named after him.

He was extensively interviewed in a Stevie Ray Vaughan bio on TV.

I got his first album and didn't like it. Then I saw a quote from him in Rolling Stone, I think, where he said his first album was a misrepresentation of his musical ability, "Your Body is a Wonderland" was an unfortunate career mistake, etc. So I got the second album.

As they say, "fool me once shame one you, fool me twice shame on me..." This one is even worse than the first. There's one decent guitar solo, and it's on his remake of Hendrix "Bold as Love. " The rest is over-compressed, American Idol - reject pop drivel. Just utter crap.

Is this what passes for musical talent these days? Or is it just me?

I'm not to eager about John Mayer's releases too, but he does have guitar talent. If you ignore all the sugarpop in the first album, the playing is quite commendable.

If you want John Mayer without the "Poppy" bullcrap, try listening to John Mayer Trio. They have a live album called "Try!" (you can also get a DVD of the same).

i got teh john mayer trio disc for my wife and she really liked it

find live recordings and you will be pleasantly surprised


later

I've never given his music a fair chance so I shouldn't comment on that, however it's seems over the past few years I've seen him randomly pop up here and there as an image icon - on television programs, billboards, etc. Every time I see him I immediately think of one thing: "That guy looks like he's got a pretty bad cold and could use a bowl of warm soup and a nap." Is it just me? Maybe he's sick a lot? I dunno - it always seems like he's all bundled up in layers too... strange stuff - I've never though of this w.r.t. any other popular icon...

Jed

He is actually a pretty talented guy and a really good song writer. He's definitely quite the musician he comes from an interesting background too. He does look like he could use a bowl of soup though

I couldn't stand him until I heard one of his live albums. Holy crap can that guy play!!! It really doesn't come out much in his studio stuff, which has too much of an (as mentioned) American Idol feel to it. But live, he can really burn up a fretboard.

I've saw him live when his first album was out a few years back. I never listened to the album, but I have to say he is a very good live performer. I ended up liking Turin Brakes more, though.

It's not just you.



That's funny because I always thought he was off of American Idol. Although I've never watched it in my life, he seems to give off the vibe.

I guess it's all about fave music, what genre we like to hear.

John mayer is good, maybe not for his singing but he is really good at his guitar.
N his nu project with the Trio..its cool!