Artist Spotlight: John Mayer

I told myself I’d be doing this “series” more often…and I haven’t done one in forever. Starting in a fury by doing spotlights on Joseph Budden the Third and k-os, and fallen off since. Damn. Well, the heat’s back…and it’s not hip hop. Call the po-lice, but it’s good to listen to different kinds of music once in a while.

John Mayer was born in Connecticut, went to Berklee for music, moved to Georgia to refine his skills…okay, you know what. I’m not doing an autobiography…see wikipedia for that.

I will however, talk about his music. I try to consider myself a person with a wide variety of tastes. I can appreciate the sound of a smooth guitar or classical symphony, but I have a feeling my ears will always lean towards hip-hop the most. However, maybe you didn’t all know this (re: I didn’t), but Mayer was the voice to say “Go” on Common’s song by the same name. News to me, so if you already knew that, excuse me for being ig’nant.

The guitar is a hard instrument to play. I’ve played it all of about four times, and even though I got progressively better…it was still horrible. A friend of mine is seriously considering attempting a career in music, and all he does is practice and then practice some more.

Cliff notes of what I’ve said so far in all this typing: I like all kinds of music, and guitar is hard to play.

Mayer’s released three albums, “Room for Squares”, “Heavier Things”, and “Continuum”, along with numerous live performances. He even covered a Hendrix song (Bold as Love) on his newest. His voice is solid, guitar playing excellent, and he’s funny as hell. Check the video below. (The Making of: ‘Bittersweet’ with Senor West)

For more proof of the dopeness, here ya go:
Belief (personal favorite)
Gravity (live)
Bold As Love (video)
I Don’t Trust Myself With Loving You

Stakes Is High

Okay, confession time:
This picture and the post title have nothing to do with this post, I just wanted to be clever and have the picture and the post title relate.

However, I would like to just update you all right quick that, no, I’m not dead. Just on hiatus.
Well not really. But I’ve been busy scrambling, setting up guests posts, working my ass off, and school and shit.
Three points of interest today:
Article I
FUCK FYE. I ordered “Miseducation…” Tribe’s “Anthology” and Murs’ “The End of the Beginning” online. All used. After taking THREE WEEKS to arrive, it turns out the disc for “Miseducation” is in horrible condition, and the disc inside…oh yeah. It’s not even the right one. If I wanted Dre’s “The Chronic”, I would have ordered that!
Fuckers.
So: After ranting and throwing shit all over the place and going beserk, I read the instructions on how to return items. Turns out I have to go to the UPS Store among other errands tomorrow (my only day off also) and see if I can mail this fucker back to them and they can send me the correct fucking order. As you might be getting the hint, I’m slightly upset at the whole ordeal. No reason to take three weeks, and if it does, at least get the order right.
Article II
“For the first time since 1982, the NBA is sending two teams back to the court for a do-over.
The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat must replay the final 51.9 seconds of their game last month because the official scorer ruled incorrectly that Shaquille O’Neal fouled out, the league said Friday.”

I’m not making that up. It’s really happening. Why?….my thoughts exactly.

Article III

This is how I want all break-up letters to read.

You make me touch your hands for stupid reasons

Absolute comedy. Trust me on that one.

I’ll be back soon. I’m in the process of talking to Ill Poetic about some music, maybe setting up an interview. If you’ve got questions, yell.