2007: Battle of the Johns
With two different approaches to the guitar, the skills of John Frusciante and John Mayer are placed side-by-side to see who is better.
Feana Kotter
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Opinion
The winner: Mayer.
3. The live show. In true Jimmy Page style, Frusciante grasps the attention of the venue during concerts with a medley of rock star-like movements and expressions. Those lucky enough to be in the front rows can see the sweat forming on his brow as his fingers weave a musical tapestry on six strings. He is the epitome of his craft, and interacts with his bandmates as though they are having the greatest time of their lives.
Mayer combines wit and sometimes swearing to entertain the audience between songs. During the July 4 concert at the Taste of Chicago, a man yelled he loved Mayer, who responded with "I love you too, sir. I'm going to have to survey my feelings on the matter, but I'm pretty sure they point to yes. I love you too, sir."
It's a tie.
4. Crowd appeal. The Red Hot Chili Peppers give perhaps the best live show since Zepplin, and Frusciante is a key ingredient. While Keidis works the stage like a brilliant vaudevillian, Frusciante stakes his own corner and almost gingerly lets the music sway his body. He makes sparse eye contact, but when he does, everyone within 10 rows can see he is in his element. During familiar guitar riffs, the audience goes wild and Frusciante leaves a lasting impression.
Mayer usually opens with a hit song to get the audience engaged from the first moment. Recently, his set has become a masterfully mixed blend of his past two albums as well as some genius covers of other familiar artists. He sometimes changes lyrics from "I" to "we" or "us" and sparks a united feeling in the audience. Though some members in the audience are too young to appreciate his musicianship and lyrics, Mayer does not change any part of his act to cater to any certain age group.
The winner: Frusciante.
Though it seems Frusciante reigns slightly more supreme, Mayer is melodically climbing the charts of his former critics as he proves he is not merely a pop music sensation.
Frusciante has finally been recognized for his inspiring melodies, and will no doubt remain a musical force to be reckoned with for many years to come.
3. The live show. In true Jimmy Page style, Frusciante grasps the attention of the venue during concerts with a medley of rock star-like movements and expressions. Those lucky enough to be in the front rows can see the sweat forming on his brow as his fingers weave a musical tapestry on six strings. He is the epitome of his craft, and interacts with his bandmates as though they are having the greatest time of their lives.
Mayer combines wit and sometimes swearing to entertain the audience between songs. During the July 4 concert at the Taste of Chicago, a man yelled he loved Mayer, who responded with "I love you too, sir. I'm going to have to survey my feelings on the matter, but I'm pretty sure they point to yes. I love you too, sir."
It's a tie.
4. Crowd appeal. The Red Hot Chili Peppers give perhaps the best live show since Zepplin, and Frusciante is a key ingredient. While Keidis works the stage like a brilliant vaudevillian, Frusciante stakes his own corner and almost gingerly lets the music sway his body. He makes sparse eye contact, but when he does, everyone within 10 rows can see he is in his element. During familiar guitar riffs, the audience goes wild and Frusciante leaves a lasting impression.
Mayer usually opens with a hit song to get the audience engaged from the first moment. Recently, his set has become a masterfully mixed blend of his past two albums as well as some genius covers of other familiar artists. He sometimes changes lyrics from "I" to "we" or "us" and sparks a united feeling in the audience. Though some members in the audience are too young to appreciate his musicianship and lyrics, Mayer does not change any part of his act to cater to any certain age group.
The winner: Frusciante.
Though it seems Frusciante reigns slightly more supreme, Mayer is melodically climbing the charts of his former critics as he proves he is not merely a pop music sensation.
Frusciante has finally been recognized for his inspiring melodies, and will no doubt remain a musical force to be reckoned with for many years to come.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Dustin Lance
posted 7/19/07 @ 4:03 PM EST
John Frusciante is without a doubt the winner. No offensive to Mr. Mayer whom is incredibly talented as well, Frusciante has so much more experience in all aspects. (Continued…)
shashwati
posted 7/24/07 @ 3:55 AM EST
it's not that mayer is bad.......he's really good.
but John Frusciante is more versatile and diverse a guitarist, and he is a real guitar genius. Not just in RHCP, but in his solos, he ehas gone far far beyond the standard level of technical skll that most bands' guitarists have and has made his guitar a living, breathing, speaking extension of himself. (Continued…)
Post a Comment