On Continuum the singer/songwriter/guitar slinger meets that challenge head-on. Mayer's third studio album marks his first turn as producer. It is his most soulful, cohesive collection yet and he says it's no accident that this project is where all of his efforts, his potential, and his disparate influences fully come together. He has collaborated with icons and contemporaries alike - Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Herbie Hancock, as well as Kanye West and Alicia Keys. In doing so, Mayer says his own interests have grown and his perspectives expanded.
Mayer also credits his collaboration with Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino (collectively known as the John Mayer Trio) with helping to recalibrate his musical priorities. If it wasn't for the Trio, Continuum would have been less accessible. It let me settle up with my needs as a musician, and get to a point somewhere between the Trio record and Room For Squares - and that's a really good place to be."
Ultimately, Continuum represents maturity, both musically and thematically, for John Mayer a concept that he wasn't comfortable with until now. "A lot of these songs are about coming to terms with getting older," he says.
Rolling Stone (p.103) - Ranked #11 in Rolling Stone's "The Top 50 Albums Of 2006" -- "[A] breezy pop-rock record..."
Entertainment Weekly (p.71) - "[A] John Mayer record par excellence: taut, melodic, well sung, impeccably played..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.108) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Mayer has written worthy songs of protest, affirmation and hope."
Rolling Stone 8 of 10"Who did you think I was?" John Mayer asked on the opening track of Try!, the live album he released last year as one-third of the John Mayer Trio. He's answered the question eloquently on Continuum, a smart, breezy album that deftly fuses his love for old-school blues and R&B with his natural gift for sharp melodies and well-constructed songs. - Anthony Decurtis
Mayer, still a young man, seems to have both maturity and great humour in his songs. Both Eric Clapton and John Scofield have already recognised his talent as a guitarist. In particular, Mayer's lead vocal on "I Don't Need No Doctor' as part of Scofield's tribute to Ray Charles (2005"s That's What I Say) was of particular note, in addition to the fine guitar duel with Scofield on the same track. He also guested on recordings by B.B. King, Herbie Hancock and Buddy Guy; such is Mayer's position with his peers. He debuted the John Mayer Trio in 2005, featuring Pino Palladino (bass) and Steve Jordan (drums). Do not be fooled, this artist is a remarkable talent.
