Why John Mayer needs more recognition from true music fans.

Ledbetterman10

Jeremy1012 wrote:

What's weird about it? I don't mind if anyone else does like him, that's their prerogative but I don't personally understand it. Unbelievably bland playing and worse songwriting. He has a cache of terrific songs that I could count on two hands but is largely dull and almost entirely irrelevant nowadays. His original appeal was as an innovator but his shtick has been done better by his imitators for decades and his innovations aren't as plentiful as some would have everyone believe. His career now seems devoted to making album after album of glossy blues-pop for adult-contemporary fans who like to present themselves as liking "rootsy" music.

I basically find his music soulless, safe and totally unnecessary. His playing is nice but lacks vitality. His greatest asset, in my opinion, is his voice. The singing on Layla and Tears in Heaven is far more worthy of praise than the guitar playing. Layla is also the only song of his that I consider particularly worthy of its status in the canon of "classic" songs.

Of course, this is all just my opinion but I don't see why it's "weird" for me to say this. It seems to me like all of the reasons I dislike Clapton are things that anyone can see but his fans seem willing to overlook or embrace. It's just not for me. When I want "rootsy" blues, I'll listen to Leadbelly or Blind Willie Johnson. When I want blues-rock, Hendrix makes Clapton look like a little kid who just learned the pentatonic scale. This board seems pretty fond of "sacred cows" when it comes to music. I have none. If Clapton made an album that blew my mind, I'd admit it. He just never has.

I agree with this. I like Clapton but I really don't find his music all that inspiring. well, his stuff with Cream is pretty great. and he's a great guitar player, but other than straight playing the blues, he doesn't do anything noteworthy. Where's the experimentation that guys like Hendrix, Page, Zappa, and Gilmour were doing in the 60's and 70's? Like you've said, "His playing is nice but lacks vitality."

qontheboard

CM1847 wrote:

He's an amazing guitar player, but he should stop writing cookie-cutter made for Adult Contempory radio singles and then he would gain some more respect from "true" music fans.

Absolutely hit the nail on the head!

q