John Mayer - Continuum

Lovely bits of horn and piano amid the great guitar and drum work. I must say that there are some very catchy riffs on this disc.

Most songs are excellent. Only a couple seem somewhat out of place (Vultures, in particular, seemed better suited to JMT).

My wife (diehard fan) is off to see him live next weekend. I'm jealous - he was sooo good live in Vegas. First concert I'd ever been to where I didn't come away with ear bleed.

Jeff,

I preferred "Room for Squares" to "Try", not that Try wasn't good - just that RFS is a bit different. The mix on Try seems a bit off for the first couple of tracks too.

Where do you see Continuum against them?

Steve.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S1:
Jeff,

Where do you see Continuum against them?

Steve.

I think all John's albums are great and, as I said, I have enjoyed watching him change through each album.

Continuum is a soulful version of "Try" in the sense the core of the recording is John, Steve and Pino. But, though I agree with the above opinion on "vultures" on Continuum, I enjoy hearing John's vision of that song in a "studio" context. And the textures achieved in a studio are interesting juxtaposed against the straight blues-based stripped-down sound of "Try".

I really fell in love with JM listening to his live albums - "On Any Given Thursday", "As/Is" - a limited release of summer 2004 live shows, and "Try". Of his studio albums, aside from Continuum, I prefer Room For Squares over Heavier Things.

The next album may be the one for you - a solo acoustic JM album is the one he had/has planned following Continuum.

My guess is you would like Continuum better than "Try" - part of the fondness of "Try" for me (and possibly Obsessed1)is that I/we each saw him live in that format - it was mesmerizing.

Jeff A

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Anderson:
My guess is you would like Continuum better than "Try" - part of the fondness of "Try" for me (and possibly Obsessed1)is that I/we each saw him live in that format - it was mesmerizing.

Jeff A

Agreed, the live show of JM3 was so good, it made me want to buy Try. Having said that, I don't listen to Try as much as Heavier Things or Room for Squares.

Steve - I think you will find Continuum much closer to Room for Squares than to Try. Continuum is #1 in USA right now, as I understand it.

Thanks, I'll be on Amazon to get a US copy so it might be a few days before I can comment!

Regards,

Steve.

I've just picked up a copy of Continuum whilst in the USofA for $15.
Sounds pretty good to me, nicely recorded, good understanding between the musicians, etc. There are quite a few good songs, & only 1 that I can't (yet)get on with-"the heart of life". Its just a bit too plinky-plonky country for me. There are some nods to Clapton, & "bold as love" has some Hendrix-esque guitar phrases (imho). He definitely is a talent.Continuum won't toast your crumpets if you don't already like Mr.Mayer, but I'd say its a worthy addition to the cd collection.
matt.

My copy arrived yesterday, sounds pretty good on first listen. A good balance between the energy of "Try" and the originality of RFS.

Regards,

Steve.

I continue to love this album ... what a great three songs to start it off.

"What places the folded flag in the mother's hands, belief can" - chilling

Jeff A

Jeff,

Played it a few times now, excellent stuff.

Regards,

Steve.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Steve S1:

Played it a few times now, excellent stuff.
[QUOTE]

Pleased you are enjoying it.

What other artists are you paarticularly fond of?

I picked up Pete Yorn's new one and the new solo album by Lindsey Buckingham yesterday. Both quite good on first listen.

Take care
Jeff A

Jeff,

I enjoy a really wide range of stuff but I guess my main focus is around blues, rock, folk-rocky kind of stuff. I also have a fair orchestral interest and some opera.

Many of the artists I like are back-catalogue like Beatles, Stones, Faces, Hendrix, John Mayall, Cream & Clapton, the Kings (BB Freddie & Albert)etc. Absolute favourites include Free and most things Paul Rodgers has been involved with, Rory Gallagher, Budgie, Skynryd, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac (Green & Buckingham years), early ZZ Top, much other late 60's - 80's stuff.

I also like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Eva Cassidy, and a fair bit of Motown & other soul particularly Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Alexander O'Neal, Luthor Vandross, Quincy Jones.

Hell with this, it's much easier to say that I don't particularly like county music, house/RAP?dance/Club type music or modern classical.

I have Keb' Mo's "Suitcase" at the moment which is good but not up to "The Door" or "Just Like You".

Cheers,

Steve.

Thanks for the reccomendation Jeff.

My USA copy of 'Continuum' is on the way.

I have and like 'Room for Squares' but find the production to be patchy.

John.

I hope you enjoy it John

Jeff A

John,

Was your RFS a US copy? I found it better than the Euro one. As I continue to find with many others, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Keb' Mo' to mention a few.

Thanks again for the steer. You won't be disappointed with Continuum.

Regards,

Steve.

quote:

My USA copy of 'Continuum' is on the way.

John (JN),

Has your copy pitched up yet? If so, what do you think?

Regards,

Steve.