Corey Harris/John Mayer
"Webster Hall 12/30/04"
by L.C. Marchand

Imagine an ocean of young women between the ages of 18 to 24 all straining their eyes at the stage, searching, seeking - all with half glazed over expressions of semi-rapture firmly fixed into their faces. You could tell that, at that moment, there was no other reality beyond the stage's boundaries for them. It reminded me of scenes from a Beatle's concert decades earlier. Well, that was the scene that night in Webster Hall as the prime of young American womanhood passionately awaited their newest pop Messiah, John Mayer. Fortunately for the rest of us, we had some certainty that the evening was not merely going to be a pop show.

I ran into Hubert Sumlin just before the start of the show. He said that he was slated to 'sit in' with John Mayer (shouldn't it really be the other way around?). At any rate, Hubert looked and sounded in good health and very uplifted in spirit. '

Soon, the lights went down and we prepared ourselves for the opening act - Corey Harris. Although Corey Harris has been a significant contributor to the Blues since the early 1990s, I first got the chance to see him perform in the opening weeks of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Although that show was billed with Taj Mahal as the headliner, it was really an ensemble performance intended to educate as well as entertain (See earlier review). Webster Hall 12/30/04

Corey has been heavily influenced by the R&B, Blues, and Funk that he heard around the house in the 1970s and 80s in Denver, Colorado. Seeking to find those musical roots led him to extended trips to Africa where he found what he was looking for in such places as Senegal, Mali and Cameroon.

Although giving a nod to that African music, Harris' performance that night stuck mainly to traditional Delta Blues, giving us a greatly appreciated overture to the evening. Very much like the musical storytellers of Africa, Corey has become an American griot (look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls) for the Blues. As he broke into another African-based rhythm, I had the feeling that it might have been a good idea for him to have explained to the audience what he was about and what was going on with his music. The girls looked a little dumbfounded as they, apparently, were expecting something along the lines of John Mayer's current pop hit love ballad.

Sensing that some sort of clarification was needed, Mr. Harris said, "Everyone in Mali knows that one." My only concern at that moment was, how many of those in the room even know where Mali is? How many know that Mali is a Country? Whatever!

Corey Harris is a true Blues Historian, similar in some ways to the great Taj Mahal; who has dedicated much of his time and efforts in learning about and being a student of his music. He communicates very well with the audience and has great artistic as well as technical abilities. Thank you, Corey. Much of what has come before tends to get lost in the intense search for the newest, latest, most technologically advanced, etc. The Blues and its roots are easily as important as the newest version of XBOX. Hopefully this current generation will find that out one day.

After the opening performance by Corey Harris (see review) the air was thick with female pheromones as the predominantly late teen crowd of women geared up their psyches for the latest heartthrob, John Mayer. When the announcer trumpeted His coming on stage, they erupted into applause, screaming, crying and generally apoplectic fits of devotion. It was truly a disgusting display, but, everybody needs somebody to believe in..............

I had some trepidation about coming to hear this young man, as the only thing I really knew about him was a current pop ballad called 'Daughters'. Gratefully he opened with his own take on 'Rainy Day, Dream Away' by Jimi Hendrix, although with a decidedly SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughn) take on the vocals.

Quite a surprise, this kid can really perform! He's got a good Blues voice, can actually play his guitar - all in all a solid musician. I don't think that the crowd was really expecting this type of music; nevertheless they supported their idol with continued screaming, applause and adoration. I was just thankful that he was bringing it real to the stage.

Mayer had a monster drummer with him on stage and they all really cranked it for the Blues! In this age of 1 hit wonders, yodeling their way through forgettable R&B tunes to extinction, it's good to see a young man who has taken the time to be a student of the Blues. John Mayer comes across as a thoughtful, respectful and professional fellow. Encouraging, yes?

After a bit, Mayer calls Hubert Sumlin to the stage. I'd bet there weren't more than 20 people in the crowd of hundreds that even knew who Hubert was. As they jammed down into the intro for 'Killing Floor' I was once again impressed by Mayer's ability. I tell you this kid can play!

As for Hubert. Mr. Sumlin is definitely back. He was all over the stage; he was squeezing the blood out of his guitar. I haven't seen Hubert play like that in quite a while. It's funny because, before the show, I had asked him, "So, how are you feeling, Hubert?" To which he responded, "I'm back! I feel like I've been given a second chance and I'm going to give it my all." Guess he wasn't kidding.

To his credit, Mayer deferred to Hubert in every aspect showing the kind of respect that Mr. Sumlin was due. Afterwards, as Mayer took the stage with his band again, he was mugging for the girls and their digital cameras like a pro. There were so many young women recording with their cameras and cell phones, it was truly unbelievable. When I was younger, if we all had our arms in the air at a concert it was normally because we were holding up lights (or peace signs). I guess times have changed somewhat.

The only condition I might put on Mr. Mayer's performance that evening is that, once in a while, he could afford to slow down a little. It wouldn't kill him and it definitely would improve the overall show.

He did satisfy the gals with his ballad about the middle of the show, and ended it with 'Shake, Rattle & Roll' played as a shuffle. Altogether a very satisfying concert. I was both surprised and pleased. Mayer has an enormous future ahead of him providing he doesn't let his head get ahead of him.