Mayer’s ‘Continuum’ combines Pop, Soul, and Blues elements

By Patrick Luce Aug 2, 2006, 19:27 GMT

Continuum is about as apt a title as it gets for John Mayer\'s third studio disc. Every element, from the peerless guitar playing to the plainspoken poetry of the lyrics to the breathy-sincere singing, makes a return from previous efforts. But to weakly pronounce this another worthwhile effort from an artist the world has come to expect a whole lot from and then call it a day would be no ...more

Two years after the release of his acclaimed album ‘Heavier Things,’ John Mayer is set to return to store shelves with ‘Continuum’ – an album that combines the singer/songwriter’s Soul, Pop, and Blues influences. John Mayer’s ‘Continuum,’ will be released September 12th on Aware/Columbia Records with the suggested retail price of $18.98.

Since the release of ‘Heavier Things,’ Mayer has redefined himself as a musician and collaborator who exceeds genre boundaries. Having recorded and performed with some of the most interesting and iconic artists on the scene, the singer returns with a pop/rock album that is the culmination of his influences, skill, and recordings to date.

Showcasing the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s rich lyrics, the groove of the guitar-slinging bluesman, and the vocals of the soulful crooner who’s sold millions, Mayer’s third album is a succinct reflection of an artist in his prime.

From his acclaimed debut ‘Room For Squares’ in 2001, through 2003’s ‘Heavier Things,’ to his most recent work with the John Mayer Trio, the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has sold  more than eight million albums and earned three Grammy Awards. Preparing to embark on a co-headlining tour with Sheryl Crow on August 24, Mayer’s first single, “Waiting On The World To Change,” has already made a huge impact at radio.

‘Continuum’ also sees Mayer breaking new ground with his first attempt at producing a studio effort - a task he shared with acclaimed studio-musician Steve Jordan. The album features sultry grooves such as “I Don’t Trust Myself With Loving You,” “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room,” and the Sam Cooke-flavored “I’m Gonna Find Another You.”

Fans of the John Mayer Trio will recognize “Vultures” and “Gravity” reworked for the studio by John, Steve, and Pino, as well as a blazing display of fretwork on a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Bold As Love.” “Heart of Life” and “Stop This Train” are new songs that longtime fans will recognize as keeping in-step with trademark Mayer material.

“As a songwriter, the Trio helped me focus on being more raw,” he says. “As a guitar player, it helped me get a lot out of my system and get to a point somewhere between the Trio record and ‘Room for Squares’ - and that’s a really good place to be.”

‘Continuum’ is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing. The John Mayer / Sheryl Crow co-headlining tour is presented by Live Nation, and runs from August 24th in Pittsburgh, PA to October 12th in Tampa, FL. Tickets to all dates are currently on-sale to the public.

JOHN MAYER / SHERYL CROW CO-HEADLING TOUR
(* indicates independent dates)

DATE     CITY   VENUE
8/24         Pittsburgh, PA  Post-Gazette Pavilion
8/25         Saratoga NY  Saratoga Performing Arts Center
8/26         Hartford, CT  New England Dodge  Music Center
8/27         Holmdel, NJ  PNC Bank  Arts Center
8/29         Boston, MA   Tweeter Center
8/30         Wantagh, NY  Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
9/02         Philadelphia, PA  Tweeter Center
9/03         Bristow, VA  Nissan Pavilion
9/05         Cincinnati, OH  Riverbend Music Center
9/06         Detroit, MI   DTE Energy Music Theatre
9/07         Indianapolis, IN  Verizon  Wireless Music  Center
9/08         Chicago, IL   First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
9/10         St Louis, MO  UMB Bank Pavilion
9/15         Austin, TN   Austin City Limits Festival*
9/17         Telluride, CO  Telluride Town Park Blues & Brews Festival*
9/18         Denver, CO   Red Rocks Amphitheatre
9/22         Vancouver, BC  GM Place
9/23         Seattle, WA   White  River Amphitheatre
9/24         Portland, OR  The Amphitheater at Clark County Tue
9/26         San Diego, CA  Bayside Amphitheater
9/27         Irvine, CA   Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
9/28         Concord, CA  Chronicle Pavilion
9/30         Sacramento, CA  Sleep Train Amphitheatre
10/01       Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
10/04       Phoenix , AZ  Glendale Arena (w/Tom Petty)*
10/06       Houston, TX  Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
10/08       Nashville, TN  Starwood Amphitheater
10/09       Birmingham, AL  Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10/11       West Palm Beach, FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre
10/12       Tampa, FL   Ford Amphitheatre
10/13       Atlanta, GA   Chastain Park*
10/14       Atlanta, GA   Chastain Park*