[Slowhand] Mayer

[Jason Lynch]

I have to say, I get really sick of defending this guy, but here's what I
think:

1. He IS a good songwriter. Seriously. Those of you who play guitar, go look
at the chord structures. There is a lot of really interesting stuff in
their. No, he is not always gold, and yes, Your Body is a Waterpark is
terrible, but come on, go listen to Try or Slow Dancing in a Burning Room or
Neon, among others. Those are good songs. And really, this is a list for
someone an artist who gave the world Wonderful Tonight, so let's be a little
more judicious about taking the good with the bad.

2. He IS a good guitarist. A really good one, actually. He is clearly
influenced by EC, but I can also hear the difference between the two of
them. In reality, SRV is a bigger influence, though, again, I can hear the
difference. Mayer may not be your cup of tea on the guitar, but that doesn't
mean he's terrible.

And while I'm at it, I am so very tired of hearing how this and such
guitarist isn't in the same league as EC (ie Derek and Doyle). A long time
ago I reached the conclusion that, eventually, you hit a level where it's
impossible to determine who's better and it becomes about who you prefer.
The genesis of this idea came from listening to enough EC and Jimi to
realize that they were capable of copping each others styles if they wanted
to. After that, it stopped being about who was better. They're just
different. Same goes for Derek and Doyle. I will not say they are better
than EC, nor will I say that EC is better than either of them. I will say
this, I think Derek and Doyle have put out albums that are better than
anything EC has done since Layla. I know that might be sacrilege around
here, but I will absolutely take "Welcome" by Doyle and "Songlines" by Derek
over anything Clapton has done since 1970. Now, their are a lot of Clapton
albums over that time period that I like, but none that I would say are
musically more interesting than the two I just named.

Now, here's the important thing, you're free to disagree, but don't disagree
by asserting your opinion as fact, start with "I think" and then provide
reasons to back up what you say. (And no, Jessica Simpson comparisons are
not reasons).

End rant.
-Jason
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