John Mayer - The Village Sessions
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Free Music Notes for The Village Sessions
Free Music Review: The core of the Songs
Hit: 5 Stars
I decided to purchase this CD having played, replayed and replayed Continuum again (deliberate use of poor English for effect)
Having read a number of reviews about it on this website I was curious to hear these songs stripped down (particularly something like In Repair with its very Clapton-esque electric guitar solos)
Overall I love this CD. I think the atmosphere/ mood created by the acoustic environment does a lot for the songs. I think further that this CD will go far in bringing fans of Room For Squares and Inside Wants Out who weren't necessarily keen on the more electric approach of Heavier Things, Try (ok so not really an album, but still part of the growth of the artist) and Continuum round to John's new sound.
The only song that I am a little confused over on this record is "Waiting on the World to Change". I could be making a very uneducated statement here (and I would appreciate anyone in the know clearing this up for me) but is this not merely the original tapes for the version that appeared on Continuum remixed by Ben Harper? If so then why put it on this album with a group of acoustic performances? Why not just put it as a B-side for the single?
As a result I don't think that the song fits on this album and for that reason this review is 4.5 stars, and not 5.
In conclusion I consider JM to be the most exciting musician in popular music today, and I hope that his influence will breath a bit of fresh (and hopefully bluesy) air into modern pop/ rock.
Free Music Review: Buy it!
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm not very objective when it comes to John Mayer, since I love everything he does. However... this CD really blew me away the first time I listened to it. I love Continuum and Try!, but this CD really reminded me how great John is on acoustic guitar. If you're not crazy about anything John has done since Room For Squares, you will probably love this. Not since "Inside Wants Out" have I heard John playing such pure, unadulterated guitar. You can just get lost in imagining his fingers moving over the strings... and it's fun to hear some guitar and vocal variations on the songs contained in Continuum (5 songs) and Try! (1 song); John's voice sounds as smooth as honey. My biggest critique, and this is one I've heard lamented by other John Mayer fans, is that it's only six songs... and it leaves you desperately wanting more more more. At only $1 per song, it's worth it to get this CD though. I wish John would put out a double album with 26 acoustic songs on it... although I love his electric guitar too, he is so amazing on acoustic and it's a great change of pace when you're feeling mellow. My favorite song on Continuum, "Belief," is included on this CD and sounds fantastic. "In Repair" is also fantastic. They all are, actually. "Waiting on the World..." sounds similar, except the background vocals are really different and gives the song a whole new twist.
6/09 Wow! in the two and a half years since I wrote this review, the price has skyrocketed from $5.99 to over $21 !!!! That's outrageous!
Free Music Review: Great acoustic album for John Mayer fans!
Hit: 5 Stars
"The Village Sessions" by John Mayer is a great EP featuring alternate acoustic versions of his newer work. Most songs are taken from his "Continuum" album, except "Good Love is on the Way," which is from the John Mayer Trio's "TRY!" album.
I highly recommend "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" as possibly the best song on this cd. "Belief" is another gem, as is "In Repair." The Ben Harper version of "Waiting on the World to Change" has less of a pop-music production. As previous reviewers have noted, it's a got a soulful gospel twinge to it. "Good Love is on the Way" is decent stripped down, though the rock version from "Try!" is better.
I recommend this album for someone who already likes John Mayer and is searching for more of his work, for people who've seen his "Continuum" Tour and heard an acoustic version of the songs and want more, or for someone looking for relaxing and laid-back music.
If you are interested in hearing more of John Mayer's range of abilities, also check out The John Mayer Trio's "TRY!" album, which is a blend of blues and rock. It's a definite, progressive step forward for a budding guitarist looking to show the world he's bigger and better than "You're Body is a Wonderland."
Free Music Review: Singular achievement!
Hit: 5 Stars
John Mayer is that guy who makes music goers all groan with envy the way he can walk into a studio in the morning, record a live acoustic version of choice cuts from his album, and leave that evening with a polished gem. Does that make you a little sick?
In a nutshell this is his album Continuum revisited with the acoustic guitar and married to a raw vocal performance that is stark naked and vulnerable. It is a concentrated performance of emotional power driven by vocals that ache with needful things. Most felt is the haunting presence of vibrato his voice betrays when pushed; it is both guttural and beautiful.
Bottom line? So while these are songs from Continuum (except "Good Love Is On The Way," which is found on Mayer's Try!), they represent a singular achievement: a new incarnation of songs that stand as valid representations of an honest attempt to communicate himself to those who will listen. Those who own Continuum would do well to own the Village Sessions.
Free Music Review: SOUNDS BEST THIS WAY
Hit: 5 Stars
John Mayer is such an incredible guitar player that the potential issue on his CDs would be over producing them, thus not allowing his guitar artistry and vocals to be front and center, where they belong. No problem here. This CD is how all JM CD's should be: Basically acoustic, stripped down to the bare essetials, but also well produced, sonically pure, and interesting to listen to. One of my main criteria for a CD is its "ridearoundability." In other words, when riding my car, I want to put the disc in and listen without having to punch forward to the next (hopefully better) song. This CD sparkles with that attribute. It's worth the sheckels, and then some. Get it to enhance and expand your JM collection, OR . . . it would be a satisfying intro to his work, too. I would LOVE to hear an acoustic redo of all his stuff, but then again, that would be asking for the moon. I'll gladly receive whatever acoustic offerings he allows me to access. I love this CD! You will too!