Lovin' live

The thought of shelling out extra bucks for a live album when you already own most of an artist’s tracks seems silly. Absurd, even. But John Mayer’s Where the Light Is (like his previous double live album) is a brilliant exception. Featuring 22 tracks, you can be sure with Mayer you’ll never hear a song sound anything like it did on his studio album. (I can personally attest to this after hearing him live six times). This two-disc collection includes his more popular singles like “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Why Georgia,” but most importantly it includes previously unreleased tracks like “In Your Atmosphere” and “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”

The double album comes in three parts: part acoustic, part full band, and part John Mayer Trio. (John Mayer Trio includes his buddies Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino. The group released a blues-based rock album in 2005). Eight of the trio’s tracks are performed live with extended solo sections and a funkier feel and quicker tempo.

The newbies include “In Your Atmosphere” a melancholy acoustic piece, and a cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” that is to-die-for. Mayer’s bluesy influences remain on just about every track – not the least of which is the “Free Fallin’” cover, one that will soon make its way into any fan’s “Most Played” list. Mayer takes the classic song and makes it a subtle, soft acoustic of his own that is simply divine.

Extended electric-guitar solos ring out on tracks like “Bold as Love” and an alternate opening verse on songs like “Gravity” ensures this album stands uniquely from his studio ones (he boasts three now, not counting EPs, such as his all-acoustic The Village Sessions). In addition, several of the songs are infused with Mayer’s sometimes-ridiculous commentary. Longtime fans and newcomer blues fans alike will be hard-pressed to find an artist with a live show as unique as Mayer’s.