The conceit adds a nice, creative touch to 'Where the Light Is,' and furthers my appreciation of the music. I found his insights into the music interesting (if a bit self-important), and since their use is sparing, I wasn't irritated. More arguable is Clinch's use of short interview vignettes with Mayer to break up the setlist. Like the best concert films, 'Where the Light Is' turns the act of making music into a thrill to watch, rather than just a distraction from fancy visuals or intrusive gimmicks. Even the directness of the staging (the light show is occasionally kinetic, but generally doesn't distract from the band) is offset by inventive camera angles, and expert editing. Clinch wisely realizes that Mayer's skill is the real show, and the almost fawning close-ups of his frenetic fingers become a separate character.
#JOHN MAYER WHERE THE LIGHT IS WALLPAPER FULL#
Finally, act three gives us a full backing band, and ironically, it may be the most typical part of the show, giving the audience some more familiar material (though noticeably absent is probably Mayer's biggest hit, "Your Body is a Wonderland").įilmed entirely at the Nokia Theater on November 8, 2007, and directed by Danny Clinch, 'Where the Light Is' is a very well photographed and constructed film. Act two brings out the John Mayer Trio (adding bass and drums), and it's like the entire auditorium has been zapped with an electric cattle prod - Mayer goes into a full-on rock mode I just didn't expect. Act one is Mayer acoustic, and just watching his fingers work the fretboard is impressive (that the dude isn't even thirty yet makes a practicing guitar player like myself green with envy). 'Where the Light Is' is a constructed as a three-act event, which adds further variety and energy to the show. This guy can't just play, but he plays as if his life depends on every last note. No, I didn't love every single song (hits like "Waiting for the World to Change" still grate on my nerves), but Mayer brings such passion and craft to his songwriting and performance that I couldn't help but be won over. So 'Where the Light Is' is a wonderful surprise, a live film brimming with musical virtuosity, manic energy, and even a few enlightening (if pretentious) interstitial interviews with Mayer that elevate it above simply being a photographed live event.
I've always thought of him as a twentysomething version of Sting's solo career - pleasant, radio friendly, and the musical equivalent of adult contemporary wallpaper. I just didn't really want to check this one out, because I'm rarely a fan of Mayer's music. So it was with 'Where the Light Is,' John Mayer's first-ever Blu-ray release. Usually, I either like a band or I don't - all the cool pyrotechnics and fancy choreography don't matter a whit if I don't like the tunes. Seldom does a concert disc come along that changes my perception of the artist.
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