Wow. To be lifted off the ground. Separated through time and space. To be transported back to your childhood and reconnect with a part of yourself that you thought was completely lost on you.
That’s how I felt about Born and Raised upon hearing it this week.
I did the right thing. I made a pact with myself that I would buy the record and be private in my solace and have my moment with John like so many of us would have.
In Australia, Born and Raised was released on Friday 25th May 2012 but I did get it a little earlier.
It was SO worth the wait.
You see like many of you, I have waited a long time for this album to come out. I have needed it in my life when things were not so great.
So I put the record on totally CD style here, headphones and shut everything else away. Closed it off and it was just John and I.
Man, when I first heard the intro to Queen of California, I knew it was going to be good!
However, something changed in me the moment I went through each song. It was like a weight was being carried, all these emotions and a climax reached. I just felt the weight in my shoulders and all of a sudden it was gone the moment I heard a song called Walt Grace Submarine Test, January 1967.
My heart swelled, tears had already formed when I heard Age of Worry but this was different. It took me to a place that I had never been before and with the help of the lyrics forced me to confront my greatest fear and deal with it head on.
One part in that song reached inside and forced me to be honest and confront some things about myself. It became more than just a song to me. It was my wake up call to alot of things.
So, naturally I cried.
Man, it made me feel SO good to let go and realise the incredible spirit, creativity, genius, insightful and mastery that is John Mayer.
I have never heard anything like this come from him before and I like his honesty, respect and beautiful melodies. His songwriting is always amazing and I love EVERY single song on this album. I listen to it every day, it is now my new companion where Battle Studies was for so long.
Whether it is the Bob Dylan-esque harmonica, the Cat Stevens moonshadow Beatles yellow submarine ride, the Lindsay Buckinghsm style guitar work on Speak For Me or just the blues influenced Something Like Olivia, it is worth a listen.
Enjoy love, enjoy music; appreciate the artists that have come before you and always love John.
My favourites include: Queen of California, The Age of Worry, Speak For Me, Love is a Verb and the incredible Walt Grace.
John, my love has deepened for you. This album is incredible. It means alot. Rest up. Recover. Enjoy Montana.
Love and Light
Skye xx
Just because he asked so kindly :-)
(Source: jhnmyr)
And so you should John! We love you! I bought your album. You will be triumphant in your return. We are behind you and support you. Take care on your journey. See you soon! xxWell, that’s a wrap on release week promotion for Born and Raised. It’s so phenomenally weird to wake up this morning at home and not in the back of a bus somewhere. On the bright side, releasing this album and getting back in touch with my fans has been something I’ve been waiting to experience for a long time now. I’m finally at a place in my life where I can truly appreciate the kindness and support, and you have shown me lots of it. Thank you for that.
As I understand it, the album is set to enter the charts at number one, which is just incredible on all your parts because there has been very little I’ve been able to do to promote it. In a world of schemes and strategies when it comes to selling something, you guys just bought music you trusted you’d like. You picked it up in the same way I made it… from the heart, no trickery. That is so cool and rare and all the marketeers in the world together can’t manufacture that. I am very grateful to you.
The making of this record was purposely undocumented, but there are a few iPhone videos and some photos to share. I figure I’ll do that here, and more often than I usually have in the past. Even if this album slides off the charts in a month, it doesn’t make it any less special to me, and we should all be digging this music together, like we would have (and will again) on stage.
Stay tuned…
with thanks and love
John
May, 15. 2012
“Born and Raised” Veterans Listening Party
awwwwwwww
OMG! This is SO cute!! Those kids are adorable! Look at John! He’s gotta kneel down as the kids are so small!
Just perfect!
(via youshouldhaveseenthatsunrise)
If you stream Born and Raised, I won’t judge you. Lol. I am just looking forward to the day when the album comes out. For those that have listened to it, you are awesome. Bet you it kicks ass! Thank you for your kind words. It is tricky not to want to listen to his songs. I just want to buy the CD old school and savour it. An online version for the Ipod later on. :-)
Skye xx
Born and Raised - A private session between John and I. This usually lasts around 45 minutes. We pick up where we left off after Battle Studies. A new chapter. Just the two of us. Listening and connecting with our heart and souls. No streaming on itunes for me. Just waiting till May 22. It’s a date. It will be SO worth it! Company, joy and peace. Thank you John. xx
click here to go to the iTunes store and stream the record now. Pre-order if you dig it.
I listened to the record last Wednesday on my flight to Los Angeles. Gave it one more go round before it went out into the world… one last little listen as being just mine. It’s brought me so much joy and company and peace, and I hope it will do the same for you.
JM
Aw! John, it already has brought me peace and I haven’t even listened to it yet. :-)
(via oldbeforeourtime)
OMG!! I love Queen of California! :-)The incomparable David A Smith working on the Queen of California single cover…
Whoa. WHAT?!
He looks SO young in this picture!
John, you sweet, gentle man.
Skye xx
Just amazing! I really adore the black & white photos of John. He’s in another world at this moment :-)
My favourite musican continuously makes me extremely humble and proud to be a fan.
Skye xx