The Soul/Pop Continuum

Have you heard the new John Mayeralbum, Continuum? Oh, so you're not into "adult-contemporary" stuff, you say. Perhaps you're still nauseated from Mayer's 2001 hit, "Your Body is a Wonderland." The thing is, that's the old John Mayer, before he became a born-again bluesman. Mayer hasn't totally abandoned his old style, but his new material gives the singer/songwriter genre a much-needed shot of soul. Songs like the Motown-inspired "Waiting on the World to Change" and the mellow, slide-guitar-filled "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" find Mayer comfortably balancing his Top 40 appeal with a knack for serious song writing. He'd probably make an apt tour mate for Sheryl Crow. Oh, wait...

John Mayer and Sheryl Crow perform Wednesday, October 11, at Sound Advice Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansbury's Way, West Palm Beach. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30.50 to $66. Call 561-793-0445, or visit www.livenation.com.