Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles
John Mayer
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Plot Summary
Where the Light Is captures John Mayer where fans love him most: live on stage. The concert includes three sets: an acoustic performance, John Mayer Trio, and a set featuring Mayer's full-band, all recorded on December 8, 2007 in Los Angeles.
Customer Reviews
The Best at His Best
This live CD/DVD collection is, in a word, perfect. Not flawless; flawless might not be as interesting. But this is a complete summation of one of my generation's most prolific "pop" stars at the height (so far) of his career--like a "greatest hits" only way more original. Not only is the music stellar (these are, with few exceptions, some of the best versions I've heard of each song), but the greatest part of this whole collection is that it's got something for everybody. The album is perfect for all those Mayer-haters who, after the release of TRY! or Continuum, were left scratching their heads saying, "wait, who is this guy?" It's equally perfect for all the teenage sweethearts (now twenty-somethings) who fell in love with songs like "Your Body is a Wonderland" or "Daughters." Probably the most interesting thing about Mayer's evolution as a musician since Room for Squares is the tension that has developed between his multiple musical personalities. His first full length album made him an instant star, but it also gave him a swift kick through the door into a room labled "John Mayer: Bubble-Gum Pop Star." Fast forward a few years to 2005, where we witness Mayer almost violently rejecting his posterboy image by releasing TRY! under the John Mayer Trio outfit. This was a radically new direction for the multifaceted musician, and while I personally loved it, I can imagine it could have been somewhat alienating to his pop-oriented audience. Even with Continuum, we witnessed not so much a reconciliation of Mayer's musical identities, but, I would argue, yet another additional one with his soulful, R&B-influenced guitar work. But with Where the Light is, I think we finally get to witness, more than in any other instance, the harmonious coming-together of all these different personalities for a glorious, 2.5-hour-long musical extravaganza. He is, at once--or at least over the course of the show--the acoustic ladies' man, the soulful crooner, and the shredding guitar hero. He finally seems comfortable in each's skin at the same time, and no longer needs to bounce from one personality to the next. This collection is, simply put, a masterpiece. A marathon of guitar brilliance; a medley of pop, rock, R&B, blues, and soul all from the same hands and mouth. I've been a fan of John Mayer since Room for Squares, and my fanship has grown stronger throughout his career and the many stylistic twists and turns it has included. While I admit that the more he embraces his inner guitar-god, the bigger my smile grows, what I appreciate most here is the balance. He brings the John Mayer of last month, last year, and last millennium all together for a truly dazzling performance that, for even the most remote fan, simply cannot be missed.
Almost Like Being There
I was fortunate enough to see Where the Light Is on the big screen. The only drawback was that I saw an edited version of the DVD. The DVD clocks in at 164 minutes and the version I saw was only 90 minutes. This film shows us, what Mayer calls, his three incarnations; Introspective acoustic artist, rocking power trio guitarist and hit producing singer/songwriter. To me, they don’t feel like three different people. The talent and heart of John Mayer weave through all of these, so-called, incarnations to hold them together. Shot on film, the movie has the feel of some classic concert movies. A bunch of cameras with interesting angles and some smooth editing lend an intimacy to the viewing experience. You get to see perspectives not normally seen during a live show and seeing it on the big screen, close-up and personal, added a level of excitement that you don’t get while watching a DVD on your TV or iPod. But I’m sure the soul and power will still come through for the home viewer. Acoustic artist John starts the show with some nice, jazz tinged numbers to get things warmed up and the large amount of close-ups and shots that wrap around him while he performs invite you into a place you normally wouldn’t be able to go. On Neon Mayer exhibits his nimble fingers and creative chord changes we don’t normally see in a pop artist and a nicely arranged version of Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ fits nicely into the set. Johnny and the Trio play the second set and they really can rock. Like power trios of the past, such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, these three highly talented musicians push each other to their limits and pull us along with them. At times it was like a roaring locomotive with all three frantically stoking the fire. On the exceptional slow blues number Out of My Mind there is a fire burning as Mayer wrings every note from the neck of his guitar until, it seems, there’s nothing left. The hit producing singer/songwriter closed the show and his band, as tight as ever, doesn’t disappoint. One of the highlights was a moving version of Gravity that featured one of Mayer’s heartfelt guitar solos that never fail to impress. One nice thing, for me, was his staying away from some of the sappier pop songs that I normally skip over on my iPod. There’s some insightful commentary by Mayer that opens the film and is interspersed between numbers and these clips are short enough to keep the film moving along nicely. If you’re a John Mayer fan there is plenty here to satisfy you. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Mayer’s work this film is a great introduction to a young talent who, I feel, still has plenty of room to grow as an artist.
Worth a Purchase
For long time Mayer fans, this album does not dissapoint. A new take on some of John's old classics plus the addition few previously unreleased tracks and covers make this album worth a purchase. For those going to see him during his U.S. summer tour, this album offers a great preview of what to expect, as his shows will be set up with an acoustic set, a stripped down blues set, and a full band, playing all of his previously released music and also covering some of John's favorite songs. For people new to John Mayer, this is what he is all about. The album offers a perfect way to get into his music, whether you are a fan of acoustic singer songwriter, the blues, or what his band produces. It is a solid performance and a great preview of what is to come this summer. If you are into any of those genre's of music this album is worth a purchase. The show is a great summary of what Mayer has accomplished in his career thus far and offers a preview of what is to come from in the future from this diverse artist. Album of the summer? Possibly. Perfect way to recap and re-release his previous work? Yes. Where the Light Is is well worth a purchase and offers a little something for everyone.
