“new” u2…

so although it’s not a new song, it’s something fresh from u2.  (red)wire officially launched yesterday for world aids day and acts as an online music magazine, showcasing artists who have teamed up with (red).  you’ll find u2, john legend, elvis costello, death cab for cutie, and keith urban just to name a few.  i’ve signed up for it just to take it for a spin, so expect a post or two relatively soon regarding impressions, pros, and cons of the project.  until then, do as i did, and enjoy the song for its simplicity beyond the edge’s angelic arpeggiations throughout…

* so far, i’ve gotten a message saying that i’m unable to purchase a subscription to (red)wire because “the servers are overloaded today”…i’m surprised the development team didn’t consider this sooner.  this may have already turned me off to the service…

where the light is…

even though they’re songs i’ve already heard a million times over, john mayer’s “new” live album, “where the light is” is by far some of his best work to date. i bought the album less than an hour ago and it’s by far the best live work i’ve ever heard.

gravity is even more heart-wrenching…more haunting…and ballsier than ever before. john’s virtuosity with this track has certainly come a long way since the debut of JM3 live at house of blues here in chicago a few years back. whipping out the old ray charles classic, “i don’t need no doctor” is even better than when john did it with scofield not so long ago…it’s as raw as ray could ever make it himself. a great infusion of blues, funk, and jazz combined in a wonderful blend that is characteristic to JM3 alone.

the biggest treat for me is on disc one…from a song that every [guitar-slinging] john mayer fan hates…”daughters” shines through as one of the tasty little surprises you’ll find. opening with rural blues-style slide work, it’s the same classic track with a deeper meaning provided by a new layer of subtle and tasteful slide fills throughout.

in essence, i thought it was impossible for mayer to make these songs anymore ingenious than they already were…i was wrong.

now if you’ll excuse me…i’ve got to sink my chops into this one on my strat for myself. it’s too brilliant to let the moment pass.