John Mayer

This is what Wiki had to say about this John Mayer album.

“Continuum is the third studio album by American musician John Mayer, released September 12, 2006 on Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during November 2005 to September 2006 at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, California, Avatar Studios and Right Track/Sound on Sound in New York City, and Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.[4] Production was handled primarily by Mayer and Steve Jordan. It marked a change in Mayer’s musical style, and incorporated musical elements of blues and soul more heavily than in his previous work with pop-rock.[3][5][6]

The album debuted at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 300,186 copies in its first week. It also reached the top-ten in several other countries and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Upon its release, Continuum received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Mayer several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 49th Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone magazine named it the eleventh best album of 2006.” Thanks Wiki, love ya stats.

I love this album mainly because Mayer sings from the heart, his guitar skills and song writing style are immaculate. Lovely melody and great lyrics. If nothing else at least listen to “Stop this Train” where Mayer confronts the aging process.

Track listing

1. “Waiting on the World to Change” John Mayer 3:21
2. “I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)” Mayer 4:52
3. “Belief” Mayer 4:02
4. “Gravity” Mayer 4:05
5. “The Heart of Life” Mayer 3:19
6. “Vultures” Mayer, Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino 4:11
7. “Stop This Train” Mayer 4:45
8. “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” Mayer 4:02
9. “Bold as Love” (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) Jimi Hendrix 4:18
10. “Dreaming with a Broken Heart” Mayer 4:07
11. “In Repair” Mayer, Charlie Hunter 6:09
12. “I’m Gonna Find Another You” Mayer 2:43

(Source: Wiki, thank you)

My favorite is “Vultures” as it reminds me of Steely Dan. This live version has more punch, as most live gigs do however I prefer the version on the studio album . If you listen to the studio version you will hear the Dan influence better. I think it is more like the Dan’s later stuff when Walter Becker took over playing the lead guitar. This is a musical connection to me, my neural pathways I guess. You can hear a live version of Vultures here,

Mayer’s version of Hendrix’s, “Bold as Love” is a lovely cover but for me this doesn’t suit the album. “Waiting for the World” to change and “Gravity” were the main hits from this album.

The song names tell you whats in them, to me magic. “In Repair” touches me, mainly cause I’m insane but it’s about about a person listening to their heart and suffering frustration. Time heals all ills no doubt however he remains wounded but is getting there. A very difficult place to be.

I believe he recovered from vocal cord surgery to return to music.

The full album can be heard here. Great album, give it a listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIfoUqSmo1Q