#5 Continuum- John Mayer
Since the day my daughter Allison bought this CD for me in 2009, I’ve played the songs on this album more than any other music I own. There are a number of reasons for this.
- Most of you are familiar with the family car ride and the struggle for control of the sound system. Imagine your situation, then add a car full of stubborn Italians and even more stubborn Japanese and you get a flavor for my family dilemma. While I can say without hesitation that my Pavarotti and Opera CD’s caused the most consternation, this album was a peacekeeper. Everyone loved it for their own reasons. The peace was a welcome stress reducer during the all too frequent 10 mile/ 2 hour LA commutes.
- This album could have easily be titled “Transition”, dealing with topics like aging parents (Stop This Train), broken relationships (pick a track), and the need for general personal reform (In Repair) in a way that is open, honest, and not defeatist. Through it all we get a sense there is a way out- “The Heart of Life” is good.
- The music perfectly matches the message. Mayer can make a guitar whine like Clapton and bring you from high to low over the course of a few bars. He is as gifted a songwriter as he is a musician
- “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” and “I’m Gonna Find Another You” are two of my favorite songs by any artist and perfect bookends in the process of identifying the problem and resolving to work through it.
I’ve never seen Mayer in person, but that will be remedied in August when my son Dominick and I attend his show at the United Center. I’m expecting a memorable evening.
