Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles
Posted by Shay

Sony
Released: July 1, 2008
Where The Light Is takes us on stage and backstage with John Mayer. I knew John Mayer was good, but I didn’t realize he was this good. My first encounter with this film was actually on a Virgin American flight. I was browsing the music videos section of Red and came across this incredible cover of “Free Fallin” [seriously, click this link, you won't be disappointed]. At first I just thought it was a live music video, but after some research upon landing, I found out that it was actually from his latest film: John Mayer: Where the Light Is - Live in Los Angeles.

Shot during his performance at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles in late 2007, this film is a must-have for any fans of John Mayer or music in general. There are various camera angles and you’ll have a better seat than the seven-thousand people that attended the show that night. During this single concert, John gives the audience a three course meal of every style of writing that he enjoys. The whole concert is broken down into three segments. First, it begins with a simple, six song acoustic set that will leave you hungry for more. Next comes the John Mayer Trio who rarely plays live shows, but show you what real music looks like. Finally, the show closes with a full-band set of John’s pop stuff just to keep the fans happy, especially me. Intertwined throughout the three sets are interviews and footage backstage that really reveals John’s personality and his passion for music.

I have always thought John Mayer to be a very talented guitar player, but after watching this film I’m convinced he should be ranked right up there with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton. There a times during the Trio set where he literally solo’s for ten minutes solid and it’s utterly flawless. Even during his acoustic set I started to realize that many guitar players haven’t even begun to tap in to everything the acoustic guitar can do. More than anything, I’m just impressed with John’s ability to play any and every style from rock and roll to the blues. He must know his music history well, which is probably why he chooses to cover Hendrix songs like “Bold As Love” and “Wait Until Tomorrow.” I don’t think you can just wake up one day and decide you’re going to cover a rock legend–it takes thought and work, and that’s exactly what is reflected in the quality that John’s covers have. That’s why I say that music fans in general will enjoy this despite their feelings for John Mayer. It really is a testament to what American music is all about, and anyone should be able to appreciate that.

I can’t help but mention the sections of the film that aren’t set on stage. In between sets the camera follows John backstage and you’ll learn, like I did, that it’s OK for men to have a minimum of twenty wrist watches and that making the decision on which watch to wear is a normal backstage activity. As well, you’ll go for drives around Hollywood in his Mercedes and listen to what he thinks about his writing and his music. The paparazzi are never too far behind, following in their Prius’, but it will give you a better idea of the celebrity status that he’s become accustom to as a musician. In fact, the song “Vultures” makes a lot more sense now.

I don’t care if you absolutely despise John Mayer’s music, if you have any shred of music appreciation you will enjoy this film. Personally, I showed it to a group of friends with varying musical tastes and all of them were awed by the guitar playing, three part harmonies, and the strange electric guitar moves that John pulls out on “Gravity.” Even if you’re not willing to make the purchase, at least take the time to add it to your Netflix queue–at the top of the queue of course.

Buy Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles on DVD or Blu-Ray at Amazon.com.
Also available in digital format on iTunes.

Rating: The film has not been rated. Runtime: 161 minutes.