Don Was Compares John Mayer to George Harrison: A Modern Guitar Legend
Renowned music producer Don Was, known for his collaborations with iconic artists like the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson, has identified John Mayer as the contemporary equivalent of George Harrison from The Beatles. This comparison highlights Mayer’s exceptional talent and creativity in the realm of guitar playing.
A Creative Partnership
Was first collaborated with Mayer on the 2012 album Born and Raised, followed by Paradise valley in 2013, and most recently, Sob Rock in 2021. Throughout these projects, Was was consistently impressed by Mayer’s innovative approach to music.
“What sets John apart from other artists I’ve worked with is his endless stream of ideas for arrangements,” Was shared in an interview with Guitar World. “Whenever we need to enhance a section,he presents ten elegant solutions.My role is not to dictate what he should play, but to help him sift thru his abundant ideas to find the most impactful ones.”
Unmatched Guitar Tones
While Mayer’s creativity is a notable factor in the Harrison comparisons, it is his unique guitar tones that truly stand out. ”His guitar sounds are extraordinary,” Was remarked. “They are not only captivating and cool but also rich and warm, resonating beautifully from the speakers. I’m not entirely sure how he achieves that.”
Was emphasized that even though Mayer has access to top-notch equipment, it’s not just the gear that creates his signature sound. “I’ve played his guitars, and I don’t sound like him,” he clarified, dispelling any skepticism about Mayer’s talent.”Peopel often overlook that.”
Distinctive Sounds and Musical Magic
Was noted that both Mayer and Harrison excel at crafting unique sounds that are memorable and distinctive. “Harrison had a knack for producing sounds that were exclusive to specific songs, and that’s a strength of John’s as well,” he explained.
Reflecting on his experience with Harrison, Was recalled a session where Harrison contributed a guitar solo to the title track of Bob Dylan’s Under the Red Sky in 1990. “I witnessed George conjuring magic in real time, which is why I see such strong parallels between them,” he said. “Mayer might even surpass Harrison in his ability to extract unique sounds from his instruments.”
A Bold Statement
“I hesitate to claim that John is better than George Harrison,” Was admitted. “That might not sit well with everyone, but he could very well be.”
Lessons from Legends
Was’s experiences in the studio with Dylan and Harrison were transformative. He recounted a moment when Dylan began a session without even informing Harrison of the song’s key or tuning. “George was scrambling to play something, and despite being out of tune, it was still notable,” was recalled. ”When George turned to me for my opinion, Dylan chimed in, asking, ‘What do you think?’”
“Time seemed to slow down,” Was reflected. “I remembered how I almost sold my career to attend the Concert for bangladesh, and I felt a wave of fear. But then I realized, ‘He’s not paying you to be a fan.’ So I suggested, ‘It’s good, George, but let’s tune up and see if you can top it.’”
Harrison appreciated the feedback,teaching Was the importance of honesty without being harsh-a lesson that proved invaluable during his later work with the Stones on Voodoo Lounge.
Innovative Solutions in Modern Music
As Mayer continues to push the boundaries of guitar tone, he recently devised a clever solution to navigate the strict noise regulations at the Las Vegas Sphere, showcasing his adaptability and ingenuity as a musician.
