One of the two best composers under the age of 35 - "Stop This Train" - John Mayer - Ten trial linear trend-line speed graph

This is a 10 trial linear trend-line speed graph of the song "Stop This Train" written and recorded by John Mayer from his album CONTINUUM. The song "Stop This Train" was played by John Mayer, who wrote the song, as the encore at Madison Square Garden in February of this year. John played a slower version where he accompanied himself on the guitar without the rest of the band with whom he had played all evening. For me it was a rare peak performance that I was able to see. I saw Pat Metheny play "Change of Heart" before he recorded it in trio form, calling it "E-Waltz" with the Pat Metheny Group. I saw Phil Collins at his peak open up with "I Don't Care Anymore," and earlier that year with Genesis sing the entirety of "Supper's Ready." I saw Natalie Merchant at her peak in 1995 dance until she passed out. I saw the Dave Matthews band play Too Much in 1995, before it was past cool. Those are the only comparably outstanding performances of approximately 500-1000 that I have heard and seen. I was a bit disappointed in John's CONTINUUM, and the idea that you just "wait" on the world to change when you are person of power instead of getting into the system and changing it sorta come off like: I'm too good for everyone. This song, though, is up there with his "St. Patrick's Day," "Daughters," "3x5," "Back To You" and "Clarity"--establishing himself with Dave Matthews as the best popular composers/musicians under 35.


Ian Schneider
July 27, 2007