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John Mayer Could Trust His Fans With Loving Him
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Published: August 31, 2008
TAMPA - John Mayer probably could slide by on his good looks. They surely would keep him in the tabloids and on the arm of what seems like a different Hollywood star every week.
But would they draw a crowd of about 12,500 to Ford Amphitheatre on a rainy Saturday? Especially considering that the video screens weren't turned on, meaning only those seated closest to the stage could truly appreciate them?
Fortunately for Mayer, he also has a batch of catchy pop tunes and a fret-burning way with a guitar at his disposal (and to fall back on in case his looks ever go).
Yes, Mayer has a Stratocaster, more than one, actually - and he's not afraid to use them.
That was obvious right after the house lights went down around 8:45 p.m., when Mayer launched into a liquid, emotional solo straight out of the Carlos Santana playbook.
It was a hint of things to come, as tunes such as "I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)" became platforms for Mayer's blazing, blues-based solos.
"Daughters" featured wonderful guitar work from both Mayer and one of his guitarists, who got some convincing pedal steel sounds out of his six-string.
The song itself was blue-eyed soul closer to Todd Rundgren than Hall & Oates, which is definitely the right side of that particular line.
Mayer even tossed in Robert Johnson's blues standard "Crossroads," slower and more deliberate than Cream's familiar take on the song. The song ended way too soon.
The same couldn't be said for a later blues number, which was piled high with all the showy blues-rock cliches Mayer usually avoids.
Fortunately, he followed that with some of his more winning pop tunes, including "No Such Thing," perhaps his most engaging.
One Republic's Coldplay Ultra Lite sound worked best on the undeniably catchy closer, "Somebody to Save You."
Reporter Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568 or cross@tampatrib.com.
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