Customer Reviews

Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As soon as I ripped open my "Where the Light Is" Live DVD I watched it all the way through. John manages to capture the audience with new tweakings of his top songs. The man continues to amaze me because he is his own worst critic and he is never satisfied, which ends up being a treat for anyone willing to be a fan for years. This DVD contains numerous songs in which he expands and elaborates his vocals..top notch John, top notch. Buy this- you won't be disappointed.

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. 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.

I'll just start off by saying that I was fortunate enough to sit front row at this concert. It was definitely the best concert I have ever been to. This is pertinent because I witnessed it live and have now seen it in recorded form. I must say, that this film accurately and genuinely captures the magic and electricity of that night.
The film is amazing as well. I say film, because it's not just a concert video. There are also bits of commentary and insight from John Mayer. This, combined with the inspiring cinemaphotography, precise editing, and the great music itself, makes for a rediculously enjoyable experience. Even if you are not a fan of Mayer's music, you'll have to agree that this is simply a great film, based on the high production quality alone. I, like many others, am a huge live music fan and own many concerts on DVD, Blu-Ray, CD, etc., but this beautiful example of "pure" art certainly ranks at the top and anyone would be doing a disservice to themselves by not adding it to their collection.

I can honestly say that I was not a huge John Mayer fan in the past because his music simply turned me off with his adult contemporary/pop songs such as Your Body Is A Wonderland. As of today however, he has become an incredible artist whose guitar playing can appeal to various guitar geeks, while his songs can appeal to a wide range of audiences ranging from teenage girls who just listen to him because he is "hot" or those who have an open mind to different types of music. I can say that I first became a fan of John Mayer with the Trio album and then I listened to Continuum. I was thinking it was just going to be another acoustic pop John Mayer record but I was sorely mistaken. This is my favorite album by Mr. Mayer because you get the John Mayer Trio (the blusey side that sounds a bit like SRV, Hendrix, Buddy Guy, BB King, etc.), the sensitive songwriter personality (even that part of the album isn't that bad), and the band set (which consists of mostly Continuum cuts) all in one package. This album proves that Mr. Mayer has matured as a musician and is a force to be reckoned with. I can honestly say that I now look forward to any future projects by John Mayer.

It is John Mayer. Whether you like him or hate. He has plenty of solos whether it was his acoustic stuff/ jazz/ blues, it was all there and plenty of it. It looked good and sounded better. Had a good variety of his music and displayed some of his best stuff.

Personally, I don't know what is so great about Gravity. The lyrics are great but I just feel the song never takes off. It is kinda blah the entire song. Other than that, every song is spot on. Just buy it.

If you have a blu-ray player, don't skimp out. But the Blu-ray. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the dvd and its 5.1 audio. If you have good speakers the music will image great. The rears are purely for fan noise and ambiance.

Discovered JM four years ago on a trip to the US at a record store in Dallas. Had absolutely no idea what I was buying, but I got caught by the fresh and young image at "room for squares" record. I am guitar fan, and watching this young guy reminded my of the time I also discovered Kenny Wayne Shepperd, also by pure intuition.
My intuition about John became one of the greatest personal discoveries that I have ever had, the amount of joy I get when listening to JM and by watching his concerts, is just beyond great.
The talent to handle both hands on a variety of guitars is like he invented the instrument; it seems that he thinks and the instrument translates into sounds, sounds that are new, intelligent, creative, profound, full of love and of course, full of meaning.
I bought, at the same time, both the DVD and the CD, knowing I was making the right thing. Now, having watched the DVD I am thinking of buying a dozen more for my friends, for the people I love I want them to feel the same emotions and admiration for this creature of nature that positively completes in an intelligent and enjoyable manner, any situation of our days life.
This material is definitely a valuable piece for any collection, from cinematographic perspective, music or poetry, is a must have.
Saludos from Mexico!

Having been a John Mayer fan since I first heard his Why Georgia song two years after it came out I knew there was more than meets the eye. So I explored and found all the JM info I could..and then Any given Thursday came out and City Love and Covered in Rain proved me right.. So needless to say I was waiting for him to come out with a lengthy live DVD, and people this is it.John Mayer approaching his prime, this is a great performance(specially Paparazzi part) and you won't regret this purchase. Mayer can shred with anyone out there alive right now.. BUY IT or and...
REMEMBER DUANE ALLMAN

I've been lucky enough to see Mayer in concert. Add to that a couple appearances on Austin City Limits and two at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festivals. For a little variety, throw in an appearance with Brad Paisley on CMT's Crossroads.

Mayer never disappoints and never ceases to surprise. It would be easy to dismiss him as a purveyor of commercial accoustic romantic ballads if the only only material one ever heard were from Room for Squares. In fairness a couple of those tracks were overplayed to the point of causing an allergic reaction.

Taking in his live appearances and the various concert shows one soon realizes that Mayer is a virtuoso. The only personal analogy that I can make is Winton Marsalis. The complete command of technical capability is eclipsed only by an instinctive 'feel' that transcends the notes on a page.

Mayer was wonderful with Double Trouble. His Austin City Limits cover of Empty Arms was a worthy tribute to Steve Ray. His performance with Buddy Guy was probably the surest sign I have ever seen that race no longer has a place in sports, politics or even music. Was that really a kid from Connecticut outdueling the legendary bluesman?

Where The Light Is delivers. Production quality is good, the play list is expansive and extends well beyond the customary radio roster.

The cover of Tom Petty's Free Fallin' made the DVD for me. It's a simple three chord song. I was just stunned that Mayer could develop a different and interesting arrangement, play it so perfecftly and exhibit such enthusiasm doing it.

Don't wait. Idolize this guy now. Most of the artistic geniuses labor in relative anonymity until way past their prime. This guy is the read deal and this DVD shows him in his element.

As evidence of my objectivity, I have to remark that the vocal on Belief is a little flat. It's one of my favorite songs and the version on the most recent Crossroads disk is much better. It's a little like a bad hair day for Heather Locklear. Hard to imagine throwing her out for a momentary lapse!

Enjoy

No Matter how many times you pop this into your dvd player, you remain in a constant trance for its entire duration, just WAITING for john to play a note that is even slightly unsatisfying or to sing a note just slightly out of key, or to say something slightly foolish or lacking in wit between songs. Sorry, it just DOES NOT HAPPEN. But you still wait, everytime. Because it's hard to believe any musician can perform so flawlessly, especially when he is far from duplicating the recordings of the songs.

I Own many great live dvd's including Arriving somewhere (porcupine tree) and The song remains the same (Led Zeppelin) and none of them capture the magic of a show like this. So many great camera angles and the video quality is crystal Clear. It is like hovering around the stage attached to a wire hanging from the ceiling, right infront of john and the bands. No other artist has the same ability to singlehandedly forge incredibly original variations of his/ her own songs that are more captivating than the originals.

Like i said, buy this dvd and try to catch john performing to any other level but flawless.

Standout tracks are -

Neon
Free Falling
Good Love is on the way
The heart of life
I Don't Need no doctor
Gravity
belief

I mean it's REALLY good! You get to see John Mayer as all 3 acts in one show. 3 words, A-maz-ing!