John Mayer = Peter Frampton??

[elrod-tom]

OK, so I'm home from work with a sick daughter, and I'm taking the opportunity to watch the Soundstage HD show by John Mayer that I've saved off on my DVR. I've always thought this guy was a pretty talented individual, but they seem to have marketed him largely as a newer Dave Matthews-esque pretty boy.

Well, it's confirmed now. My daughter just walked out and said, "Daddy...John Mayer?!! GIRLS like him!!".

Reminds me of what happened to Peter Frampton back in the day. Here was a guy who came up with sort of 60's blues rock with Humble Pie with some serious guitar chops (though at times a bit gimmicky...DO YOU FEEEEELLLL), but they turned him into what amounted to a teen idol. All most people remember is that curly-haired hippy shot of him on the cover of Frampton Comes Alive. Doesn't matter that there are some SERIOUS guitar licks on that album...

Same thing with John Mayer. Anyone doubt me? Go give a listen to TRY! or the blues section of Where The Light Is and come back and see me. Right this minute, he's laying down some serious accoustic guitar work during his song "Neon". But as I'm watching this , I can't help but notice that it's all sort of late-teen aged girls in the front row...

Sigh...I guess this sort of happened to the Beatles too. Think of the screams in the Shea Stadium show...

It's too bad, because I think a lot of folks will simply write him off as the oldest Jonas brother or something similar. I think the guy has talent.

Discuss.

 

[nismo96]

You have just validated everything that I've been saying about this guy for a couple of years now. He knows how to play a guitar and he's earned the respect of guys like Buddy Guy. That's good enough for me.

 

[elrod-tom]

Funny you mention Buddy Guy...he was on the Soundstage show I was watching.

 

[Danny23]

plus he dated Jennifer Aniston and produced a Fall Out Boy song within a week, so all teenie-boppers know him now!

 

[elrod-tom]

I don't see the connection between dating Jennifer Anniston and teenie-boppers.

The Fall Out Boy thing is troubling, though...

 

[928GTS]

A lot of his recording material is reaaaaallly boring but when he covers Hendrix look out and make sure you're ready to have your mind melted. He can play,this has indeed been confirmed.

 

[ZepFloyd]

agreed with everything said...i think he listens to a lot of the great blues players and has always known how to play. he just took the route that would allow him to get popular with the catchy pop tunes. now that he has a fan base hes using that to delve into the blues stuff

 

[jonathanjong]

Good gosh, the boy can play that guitar. Yessiree, John Mayer makes for good listening when I'm in the mood for that kind of music.

 

[Danny23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elrod-tom /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't see the connection between dating Jennifer Anniston and teenie-boppers. The Fall Out Boy thing is troubling, though...

I mean like they read mags/watch tv and become familiar with his name, i dont mean just teen-boppers.

And im not saying its a bad thing having a little dabble in the mainstream, because tbf i quite like his work with Fall Out Boy, Kanye and Alisha Keys.

 

[PrzemekDraheim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZepFloyd /img/forum/go_quote.gif agreed with everything said...i think he listens to a lot of the great blues players and has always known how to play. he just took the route that would allow him to get popular with the catchy pop tunes. now that he has a fan base hes using that to delve into the blues stuff

I agree with you, big time. He is a clever guy - started with pop, got popular and now he is playing the blues in sold-out venues. That doeasn't happen too much these days. Most players go the opposite route - start with the blues and then go into pop.

I love the blues, so much. I love all those classic stuff all the way to 1920s but I also really apprectate John Mayer as he is doing a lot of good things for the publicity of the blues. Plus, his recent albums - from "Try!", through "Continuum", to "Where The Light Is" - are fantastic.

 

[manaox2]

I've been a fan, awesome stuff. When he is mentioned, I like to think of his two girls one cup skit he did on funny or die. I was also amazed when I found out how young he was.