Artist Review
Jason Mraz
By Kathleen Hentz, SDAM.com Staff Writer
©Copyright 2024 SDAM.com/Kathleen
Hentz
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By SDAM.com Staff Writer Victoria Joven
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The dichotomy of San Diego's best acoustic performer
How do you judge an artist with two different backing bands? His loyal djembe
player (Toca Rivera) and recently acquired upright bassist (Ian Sheridan) versus
the studio musicians strike different sounds. The locals are accustomed to the
folky simple trio of Jason, Toca and Ian, whereas nationally the sound being pushed
is traditional rock. Elektra would like you to believe that his sound has been
upgraded by the addition of traditional rock instrumentation, but San Diegans
are left dissatisfied. Please Elektra do not mess with the original. For those
who have tasted the true Mraz the poor industry substitution is disheartening.
Now, Mraz faces the dichotomy of his faithful audience versus the yet to be
determined acceptance of pop fans. Instead of capturing the original sound of
acoustic guitar and flavorful melodies backed by an unimposing low end, producer
John Alagia has taken the raw energy from the guitar and vocals and replaced the
sound balance with excessive bass and a full drum kit. With the exception of Mraz's
highly individual lyrics and clever melodies, the CD seemed to copy the format
of John Mayer's successful "Room for Squares". In fact Alagia is the
producer of Mayer's major release. Alagia's tactics were refreshing in Mayer's
debut release: acoustic blended with pop, but adapting the exact same skills for
Mraz is an obvious second-hand effort.
So who is Mr. Mraz? The performer who showed up to the San Diego Music Awards
with Toca and Ian or the sell-out who is brandishing CDs with layers of excessive
tones. Mraz the soulful soprano has switched to Mraz the voice drowned out by
industry.
Find out more about Jason Mraz. |
Fans have been surrounding Mr. Mraz for three years running.
His audience has high
expectations. Selling out to big business is not one of them...