In my new book, a wrote a lengthy diatribe essentially breaking down why I’m mad at John Mayer. It’s a tough relationship we have. I’ll spare you a recounting of the entire thesis, but one of the central points is that he’s a truly phenomenal guitarist that too often doesn’t let that side of his music shine.
Usually people don’t believe me when I tell them he’s the best guitar player in current popular music. I didn’t believe it either, but then my friends Karl and Lee introduced me to his Try! live album and I started to see the light. The man may be a gigantic tool, but he can rip a solo with the best of them.
If you’re interested in an example, I recommend the following video. You have to get past the somewhat poor video quality and the baggy pants, plus it’s a 9:49 commitment, but if you appreciate blues guitar in any way, I promise it’s worth your time. Just don’t bail after the first two minutes. Trust me, it gets better.