John Mayer?

Keiko

I see this guy mentioned all the time on guitar channels on youtube. Sounds like someone I should be into, but am not. The few songs I tried just sounded dull to me. What am I missing? Any song recommendations?

Philly_Q

No, you were right, he's just dull.

ToneControl

Keiko said:

I see this guy mentioned all the time on guitar channels on youtube. Sounds like someone I should be into, but am not. The few songs I tried just sounded dull to me. What am I missing? Any song recommendations?

what artists do you like on the bluesy-rock side of things?

sweepy

Well crafted songs with stellar bands and good chops both vocally and on guitar 

Lebarque

Check out Continuum

Kebabkid

I'd go with Continuum, too, and the live 'Where the light is' DVD shows him playing a regular set, then an acoustic set, followed by a bluesier set.
The live acoustic version of 'Neon' is good for showcasing the man's guitar skills, voice and songwriting 

One of my favourite tracks of his is 'Shadow Days'

Hattigol

I love his stuff but his recent albums have been dross. His best stuff by a mile is his live output - Where The Light Is and Try.

Studio-wise, Continuum is his best IMHO.

DrCornelius

Try is fantastic for showcasing his guitar playing imho.

I thought his new album was weak on first listen but my wife plays it all the time and it’s really grown on me. It’s pop basically but with the odd well crafted guitar lick in there too.

this always makes me chuckle too -

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahhvmzr_pZo

mudslide73

You can't go wrong with Continuum imo. The last record of his that hit home with me was Born and Raised. There are some good songs but he's obviously having a NY/Buffalo Springfield phase - depends on whether you like that sort of stuff.

not_the_dj

Aside from the trio stuff (on Try and part of Where the Light is) his Americana period had some songwriting gems. 

I love this one:

https://youtu.be/SrcMMyNeJJs

monquixote

He is fairly bland blues pop so may not be your thing.

Try by the John Mayer trio is the only thing I ever come back to.

Danny1969

As everyone else says the studio output is dull, basically watered down for the soccer mom radio market. live though, you get to hear how well he can play and the guy is seriously good.
His lead chops are well known but listen to some of his playing under the vocal, it's exceptional. 

His chuck and pluck method is great and probably the most effective means of backing yourself with one guitar I have ever heard. Listen to Stop this train or Heart of life and if you ever fancy a serious challenge try playing Neon and singing it at the same time .... it's just incredibly hard to do but he seems to do it effortlessly.  

Hattigol

When my band plays live, we usually put a couple of easy songs first.

Have to admire the balls of JM to open up a show with just him on an acoustic playing something as goddamn tricky as Neon - brilliant playing and singing.

Jalapeno

My particular fave is Paradise Valley, totally different vibe.

thecolourbox

I've a lot of respect for John Mayer as he's an incredible musician, his guitar playing by itself is very skilled and tasteful but to do it whilst singing at the same time, it's truly impressive.

However, in the same way that I respect amazing sports people in sports I don't watch, or brilliant chefs that do French style food, I'm happier if I don't really have to experience the output.

RandallFlagg

He's a bit of a fanny magnet and his music is too soft for me but he is a very talented guitar player.

LastMantra

We're more Dua Lipa kinda guys.

axisus

I bought Continuum and loved it (great Hendrix cover). Bought two other albums and found them dull, couldn't get into them at all.

An essential purchase though is Where the light is - brilliant double live album (already mentioned). Acoustic set, fabulous blues trio then full band on the hits. One of my all time top live albums.

As for John Mayer, I do find him to be annoyingly arrogant. Some musicians you love, some you have no real opinion on and some you really don't love, and for me he is in the latter camp.

Octahedron

Who?

thecolourbox

Octahedron said:

Who?

No that was Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey

boogieman

I like his earlier stuff much more than the more whimsical Americana he’s been turning out of late. I have Prime music playing in the background a fair bit when I’m working and heard Paradise Valley for the first time the other day. It’s very well done for what it is, but to me it’s better as background music than something I’d deliberately sit down to listen to. Try and Where The Light Is are definitely  his best albums as far as I’m concerned.