When I was in 8th grade at West Junior High in Muskogee, Okla., my friends and I played musical hangman — all the answers were singers, bands, guitarists, keyboardists, etc.
I recall a conversation with my friend, Chris, about Prince, in which we both noted that he was already a great guitarist, at least in the same discussion with greats like Clapton, Page, and Van Halen. Most of our classmates laughed off the suggestion, but Chris and I knew what we were talking about.
Even though I haven’t talked to him since junior high, I know that Chris ended up at Berklee — and while I didn’t go to anything as esteemed as that, I’ve had a life filled with music as a performer, writer, and producer.
We knew.
Fast forward to 2001 and the release of “Room for Squares” by John Mayer. This album is as good a debut album as I’ve ever heard. It wasn’t long before I realized that Mayer was a virtuoso guitarist, too.
We don’t have guitar heroes much anymore. Mayer might be the last.
Today’s song came on right as I was getting ready for the day, and I’ve always been reminded of Stevie Ray Vaughn when I hear “Vultures” from the album “Continuum.” It’s one of my favorite Mayer tracks.
This version comes from a 2007 appearance on Austin City Limits. Song starts at about 1:54.
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