John Mayer, I Don't Trust Myself (with loving you) from Continuum

[confooshus]

I can't believe no one's responded to this... I have no idea what it is, but the vocal reverbs on the whole album blow me away. I'm embarrassed to say it, but I just discovered this album! I've always loved his singles, but just asssumed his albums were full of his guitar wanking. I can't believe the consistent quality of production. And his lyrics are incredible.

Anyway if anyone has any firsthand knowledge of the reverb on this album, please speak up!

[bcgood]

John Mayer really is still underrated. He is probably one of the best artists of his generation. Room For Squares is a masterpiece and so is Continuum, lyrics, awesome writting, awesome playing, awesome vocals, awesome production, nuff said. I would like to know all about Continuum because it is a great sounding modern album. I really hope his next album is tracked to tape though. He should make a recording @ Abby Road and Steve Lillywhite should produce it.

[peeder]

John Mayer's Continuum Vocal Chain

May have some hints...I think it is likely a 480L.

[uncle duncan]

If you search GS, you'll probably find your answer. There have been several threads about that album. Word is, JM went through three A-list mixers before he (or his management) was satisfied with the sound.

[Musiclab]

I seem to recall Michael Brauer mixed most of it, maybe all, I'm getting old and don't remember, either take a look at his place or ask him, he hangs out here

[jchadstopherhuez]

i always find it amusing how often john mayer gets slammed as just being a "teenage girl" artist.

alot of my musician and producer friends really write the guy off.

i think continuum is brilliant.

great songs, amazing playing...steve jordan on drums !!! and john is an incredible guitar player.

i did not realize michael mixed it. for some reason i thought jack puig did that record.

either way...its a fantastic record...musically, lyrically, sonically.

that guy is the real deal....(even if he did date jessica simpson !!)

best,
jchristopherhughes

[audiomichael]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

I seem to recall Michael Brauer mixed most of it, maybe all, I'm getting old and don't remember, either take a look at his place or ask him, he hangs out here

Actually I think it's about 50 / 50 Michael and Manny Marroquin mixing.

[jchadstopherhuez]

ok.

this thread made me think about continuum again. been a year or so since i REALLY listened to it. doing some backups and office stuff today....so...

been listening all day in my studio. proac 100's and my dynaudio stage 2's.

wow. the low end on vultures is simply stellar. its one of those rare records where i can truly compliment the music AND the production.

just great tunes throughout....great parts, performances, tones, arrangements, spaces, warmth...air...all that stuff.

what a great record.

if you have not heard it...seriously...check it out...even if you THINK you dislike john mayer. the record is fantastic.

best,

jchristopherhughes

[Classic]

Ooooo and the guitar tones... my favorite highlight is the solo in "Gravity".

[audiovisceral]

mayer reminds me of dave matthews - stellar musicianship, but with a few exceptions kinda 'classic' (ie. heard it before) rootsy songs. i imagine the fan base must overlap.

and am i the only one a bit creeped out by mayer's delivery? ever since 'body is a wonderland', i feel like i'm listening to a sexual predator trying to de-prude his next victim. the unpleasant habit of crotch grinding his guitar on stage doesn't help either ... lol



seems like he's a cool guy otherwise. but i think those are the reasons people write him off.

[burst]

Originally Posted by mixman499

if you have not heard it...seriously...check it out...even if you THINK you dislike john mayer. the record is fantastic.

The sad thing is, most people who dislike John Mayer just plain won't ever like him. Doesn't matter what songs I play for people at the studio, if they hate him, they hate him. Ridiculous.

Underrated? Absolutely.

Continuum brilliant? Definitely.

It's a shame his early career chick-screaming-status and high-profile dating history affect the perception of his music and ability.

My favorite part of the Mayer thing is how he owns both sides of the divide - doesn't apologize for being a huge celebrity who can date Top Model A, B, or C... is a huge geek, and knows music history (and his place in it).

Dig him.

(but god Dave Matthews SUCKS)

[heisleyamor]

I love continuum. even though there are like 10 threads about how great continuum is. The only thing I don't really like about it is the sibilant vocals. They get a little harsh with his s's and t's and so forth. ... In my opinion.

[MHB850]

Originally Posted by heisleyamor

I love continuum. even though there are like 10 threads about how great continuum is. The only thing I don't really like about it is the sibilant vocals. They get a little harsh with his s's and t's and so forth. ... In my opinion.

yah, i know, it was hard to remove. I wish the Eiosis E2 deesser had been out at that time and I could have addressed way better than with the plugins i had available. michael

[MHB850]

Originally Posted by audiomichael

Actually I think it's about 50 / 50 Michael and Manny Marroquin mixing.

Unfortunately for Manny I had 60%. had it been 50/50 we would both have walked away with a grammy instead of just me. michael

[MHB850]

Originally Posted by confooshus

I can't believe no one's responded to this... I have no idea what it is, but the vocal reverbs on the whole album blow me away. I'm embarrassed to say it, but I just discovered this album! I've always loved his singles, but just asssumed his albums were full of his guitar wanking. I can't believe the consistent quality of production. And his lyrics are incredible.

Anyway if anyone has any firsthand knowledge of the reverb on this album, please speak up!

For my mixes, mostly using a combination of the plate from sony dre777, fultone delay low in the track and the copicat binson setting using heads 1and 2

michael

[burst]

Previous 3 posts = 3 more reasons why this place is so insanely great...

Thanks, Michael.

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by burst

The sad thing is, most people who dislike John Mayer just plain won't ever like him. Doesn't matter what songs I play for people at the studio, if they hate him, they hate him. Ridiculous.

Underrated? Absolutely.

Continuum brilliant? Definitely.

I really disagree with that. I think 'Room for Squares' is a great record. One of my favorites from recent years. And I thought he went straight down from there. The following records (which I owned) had a song or two that were pretty good and that's about it. I thought 'Continuum' was the most boring of all. Just heard 'Waiting' on the radio on my drive home. The thoughtless lyrics and drab vocals are only surpassed by the elementary guitar solo. Geez, a two year old monkey could be taught to play that solo.

The brilliance of that first record completely escaped the others. I guess he was better hungry. I admit I never heard the jazz trio thing, though. I just can't muster up the enthusiasm to get it.

[darkwater]

Room for Squares just didn't do it for me at all. I could appreciate the musicianship and the writing, but the SOUND of the record lacked too much to stand more than a few listenings for me. My biggest beef on that record was the vocal sound. It sounded thin, overly emoted and too airy. It could have been about how it worked with the whole production. I don't know for sure, and I haven't listened to it in a long time.

Continuum made me a huge fan. That is a timeless record. Great songs. Great execution by the whole team.

[Zep Dude]

Originally Posted by audiovisceral

and am i the only one a bit creeped out by mayer's delivery? ever since 'body is a wonderland', i feel like i'm listening to a sexual predator trying to de-prude his next victim. the unpleasant habit of crotch grinding his guitar on stage doesn't help either ... lol

Sums it up for me. Can't get down with an artist who sounds like he's hitting on me the whole time. tutt

[darkwater]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Geez, a two year old monkey could be taught to play that solo.

Every song does not require a virtuoso guitar solo. If you want Yngwie, listen to Yngwie. Part of a musician's maturity is knowing when a song only wants a simple melodic moment, not a "16 bar-look-what-I-can-do".

tutt

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by darkwater

Every song does not require a virtuoso guitar solo. If you want Yngwie, listen to Yngwie. Part of a musician's maturity is knowing when a song only wants a simple melodic moment, not a "16 bar-look-what-I-can-do".

tutt

Of course. But the song is just plain boring. y.m.m.v.

[darkwater]

Indeed my mileage does, my friend.

But, since you view the song as boring, and the solo as boring, you have to admit he played for the song!

Cheers.

[reddirt]

Not all the album grabs me and I was very surprised that an album these days had that level of sibilance in parts (thanks for your posts Michael) - Must have erred on the side of the performance and I can only imagine how it irked you at mix time.
Havng said that, it's great that an album that hasn't tried to fit in to a "now"style/sound can be so successful -we can all take heart.

As for guitar playing; you can quibble over whatever but the touch and hence sound on "Gravity" blows away all the latter day cliches of Strat playing and reaffirms for me the status of that guitar as defined by Hank Marvin / Hendrix . -worth the price of the CD right there IMO.
Cheers, Ross

[platypipros]

Dum ble

[TRW]

Amazing record. Tis slight shame about vocal sibilance but the other stuff is just stunning.

Michael Brauer - if you could spare a second and I don't get killed for taking this thread away from Don't Trust Myself...

One of my favourite little production/mix nuggets on this record is the exploding snare ambience just leading into the guitar solo on Belief.

What was that, processing/balance wise? Sick bottom end on Vultures by the way, nice comp tricks.

Thanks Tom

[Mertmo]

Continuum is insanely good. One of the few new records in this world that actually gives me some hope about music. It has it all: Great playing, cool sound that is a perfect blend of old and new production styles, meaningful lyrics, restraint, and most of all it has HEART.

[Marjan]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

...the elementary guitar solo. Geez, a two year old monkey could be taught to play that solo.

Music is one thing, gymnastics is quite another.

[Football]

"I'm a big John Mayer fan."

Who said that?


Stevie f'ing Wonder just said it in an interview with the Boston Globe.

John is a motherf*cker, no question. Who the hell in pop music (that is as popular as him) is doing lyrics like him? Nobody I can think of. Thank God someone like that came around to elevate lyric writing in general in pop music. He's a clever bitch with a great understanding of the English language.

[burst]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Geez, a two year old monkey could be taught to play that solo.

Yeah, there's obviously a diversity of opinion on the solo, the record, and the artist. All good by me, there's something for everyone.

But monkeys don't space notes like that, don't sing with their hands like that, don't pour their soul through amplified strings like that.

Who was is that said... (paraphrasing here)... "music is the space between the notes" ... ? B.B.? Stevie? Quincy? I like that.