Until I was standing with the crowd at Allphones Arena last week, I don’t think I realised how much I’d missed John Mayer. He’s released a couple of incredible albums since he last visited his shores, and they tided me over until his next appearance. But being there, soaking up his every chord, stamping my feet as the music coursed through me, it occurred to me just how much I’ve missed him. Looking over at my friend Lisa, who’s travelled from Brisbane for the gig, I could tell she felt the same way.
Watching him up on stage, it seemed that he missed us too. Most artists that don’t visit Australia curse the journey and feel it’s much easier to stay away. Not John though. Problems with his vocal chords robbed him of his voice and left him no option but to stay at home and recover. It could have easily spelled the end of his musical career, but instead it helped him create the beautiful introspective Born and Raised and Paradise Valley. So he recuperated, and we waited, and he came back to us stronger than ever.
He thanked the enthusiastic crowd so sincerely, but we were the ones that should have been thanking him. It’s rare to see an artist playing with so much joy. Clearly he was craving that time on the stage. It was such a gift to witness this man with such enthusiasm for his craft. Casual fans might have lamented the omission of a few singles (“Daughters” and “Bigger Than My Body” spring to mind), but I think he did his best to appease those folks with “No Such Thing,” Your Body is a Wonderland” (a song that rarely makes the set), and “Waiting on the World to Change.”
He might have enjoyed success on the pop charts, but I don’t see John as a singles guy. He was most at his element on songs which allowed him to stretch out a little more, to play with the arrangement and flex his enviable guitar skills. The free-form nature of songs like “Edge of Desire,” “I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)” and the final song of the night, “Gravity,” really allow his talents to shine. His surprising, tender cover of Beyonce’s “XO” further highlighted his skills, and the inclusion of my favourite song from Born and Raised, “Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967” had me in raptures. The internet tells me he’d played it just seven times before, so seeing John performing it so simply with a steel guitar in Sydney was just heaven.
It had been far too long since my last John Mayer concert, but it was well and truly worth the wait. He’s in such fine form right now, I can only hope he doesn’t leave us hanging too long before announcing a return visit.
Image source: Stephen Katulka
The funny thing is though, while I’m not sure it’s the most flattering colour for me I really love this lipstick. It’s got a gorgeous subtle grape fragrance that reminds me of being a 90s girl applying Lip Smackers. Those Bonne Bell glosses never felt this luxurious though. It’s so decadently nourishing. It feels like heaven going on, and best of all, it stays there. I get really nervous wearing bright lippie but this one didn’t budge. It even survived the steak dinner my husband made us and a couple of bottles of wine. That sort of staying power makes it perfect for a night out with the girls.
But that’s not the only good news. We’re enjoying a real purple patch, with four singles and six albums sitting in the top 10. All but one album in the top five is a local release too!