Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

I'm sure there are many arguably "correct" answers to this question. It is an ambiguous question, no doubt. I believe that Art is something consciously created by someone, that leaves an indelible mark on *another* (even just one person), and will be with that person forever. There is alot of art that I consider awful. But that particular work moves someone and typically many many others. One man's fodder is another's gold, perhaps. But what John Mayer has effectively done is bridged a long-existing gap between talent (and art) and popular music. Pop music hasn't been slapped in the face since Nirvana (and grunge) essentially. Just like Nirvana, disco/dance before that, and the Beatles before that, Mayer has honed in on this incredible secret that takes talent of the stars and a keen curiosity about everything in life, to reveal.

I've seen a lot of good stuff. I've heard a lot of amazingly talented musicians, voaclists, and poets. To me, Mayer is an uncanny diamond in the ruff. He's not only the pearl inside the clam at the bottom of the sea who floated to the top and was discovered, but he happens to be the most beautiful and special one at that (figuratively speaking with the analogy. Calm down ladies who here for the hair only. In fact, you should probably stop reading at this point). My parenthetical note brings me to the next point. Mayer has the ability to crossover these worlds that rarely coincide. He has the ability to instill an impetus for a group of ladies to have entire dicussion forum dedicated to which hair style is best, and he STILL has every bit of talent and art to give to the rest of us who are a little more than superficial. I could go through a music history lesson, but I'll just say (and with obvious conviction) not many people have been able to that EVER. John Mayer can please the bimbo next door AND the jazzers in between Ornette Coleman records. He does it all. He FEELS it all. That to me is an artist in true form. I'm fond of many many things and ways of believing and styles of living and music, all of which I could understandably see others vehemently hating. But with the wisdom I carry, I can't seem to find an answer to why anyone would not like or at least appreciate John Mayer - for everything he is, stands for, does, and the general way he carries himself.

The DVD is explained thoroughly, and everyone will review this a million times and reitterate and restate the same things over and over. My review was more of an aritst review, but was inspired after watching this DVD. Mayer is the only artist that I would do this for. I got the DVD the first day it came out, watched it all (even though I should have been doing more productive things), and now finally come out of a shell and write a review. I've been a fan a long time, and he's the only artist that can make me, a grown man, cry upon the initiation of a song - just a speck of a song, a note, or a vocal nuance. That's saying something. That's art. This DVD is on par with Mayer's being. Again, several small parts send me to welling up with tears - envy, wanton, happiness, who knows what all - I am a verbose and thoughtful (pensive) person, and I can't tell you what or why his music does what it does to me. That's art.

Long review, I apoloigize. If you have read thus far, you should be commended. I would like to say for my likewise guitar players out there, that Mayer once again takes it to a new level. We use to wonder how to play like him, then we finally got there, then we proceeded to nail all his blues chops, but even now, he takes his improv and HEART to a new level. And his vocal improv has never been more handsome and sturdy. This DVD is a journey, and one that should require focus. Give yourself to this music. Become a part of it. Become a part of him, and this will take you someplace that not even Mayer has taken you yet. It's funny how ART continues to make scholars and scientists fall to their knees. And for that fact, a 5 star rating system just doesn't seem to inflict the same fire.

As soon as I ripped open my "Where the Light Is" Live DVD I watched it all the way through. John manages to capture the audience with new tweakings of his top songs. The man continues to amaze me because he is his own worst critic and he is never satisfied, which ends up being a treat for anyone willing to be a fan for years. This DVD contains numerous songs in which he expands and elaborates his vocals..top notch John, top notch. Buy this- you won't be disappointed.

I was fortunate enough to see Where the Light Is on the big screen. The only drawback was that I saw an edited version of the DVD. The DVD clocks in at 164 minutes and the version I saw was only 90 minutes.

This film shows us, what Mayer calls, his three incarnations; Introspective acoustic artist, rocking power trio guitarist and hit producing singer/songwriter. To me, they don't feel like three different people. The talent and heart of John Mayer weave through all of these, so-called, incarnations to hold them together.

Shot on film, the movie has the feel of some classic concert movies. A bunch of cameras with interesting angles and some smooth editing lend an intimacy to the viewing experience. You get to see perspectives not normally seen during a live show and seeing it on the big screen, close-up and personal added a level of excitement that you don't get while watching a DVD on your TV. But I'm sure the soul and power will still come through for the home viewer.

Acoustic artist John starts the show with some nice, jazz tinged numbers to get things warmed up and the large amount of close-ups and shots that wrap around him while he performs, invite you into a place you normally wouldn't be able to go. On Neon Mayer exhibits his nimble fingers and creative chord changes we don't normally see in a pop artist and a nicely arranged version of Tom Petty's Free Fallin' fits nicely into the set.

Johnny and the Trio play the second set and they really can rock. Like power trios of the past, such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, these three highly talented musicians push each other to their limits and pull us along with them. At times it was like a roaring locomotive with all three frantically stoking the fire. On the exceptional slow blues number Out of My Mind there is a fire burning as Mayer wrings every note from the neck of his guitar until, it seems, there's nothing left.

The hit producing singer/songwriter closed the show and his band, as tight as ever, doesn't disappoint. One of the highlights was a moving version of Gravity that featured one of Mayer's heartfelt guitar solos that never fail to impress. One nice thing, for me, was his staying away from some of the sappier pop songs that I normally skip over on my iPod.

There's some insightful commentary by Mayer that opens the film and is interspersed between numbers and these clips are short enough to keep the film moving along nicely.

If you're a John Mayer fan there is plenty here to satisfy you. If you're not familiar with Mr. Mayer's work this film is a great introduction to a young talent who, I feel, still has plenty of room to grow as an artist.

I'll just start off by saying that I was fortunate enough to sit front row at this concert. It was definitely the best concert I have ever been to. This is pertinent because I witnessed it live and have now seen it in recorded form. I must say, that this film accurately and genuinely captures the magic and electricity of that night.
The film is amazing as well. I say film, because it's not just a concert video. There are also bits of commentary and insight from John Mayer. This, combined with the inspiring cinemaphotography, precise editing, and the great music itself, makes for a rediculously enjoyable experience. Even if you are not a fan of Mayer's music, you'll have to agree that this is simply a great film, based on the high production quality alone. I, like many others, am a huge live music fan and own many concerts on DVD, Blu-Ray, CD, etc., but this beautiful example of "pure" art certainly ranks at the top and anyone would be doing a disservice to themselves by not adding it to their collection.

Brilliant work here. I was fortunate enough to see the show last December and this is almost as good as being there.

Stunning use of film - John & the gang never sounded better.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed, and like a reviewer recently said, "He plays like his life depends on it".