A Very Special Album
S. Orkin | Cleveland, OH | 10/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Peter Mayer has been Jimmy Buffett's lead guitarist for 15 years. Sadly, his incredible guitar playing and song writing, which has inspired 7 fantastic solo albums, seems to be a well-kept secret within the Buffett fan base and a small but dedicated fan base for Peter.
But that fan base is growing every day thanks to consistently great new releases, such as "Musicbox."
This album has all of the great attributes that make Peter such a great songwriter, musican and performer. The songs are lyrically deep and introspective, and feature likeable textures created by the world-class musicans that make up the Peter Mayer Group.
This includes artists like Roger Guth and Jim Mayer, accomplished musicians who share the stage with Peter in Jimmy Buffett's band. But it also includes appearances by legendary jazz drummer Dave Weckl, and the extremely accomplished and diverse songwriter, pianist and producer, Jay Oliver.
With all of this in mind, the album still has tremendous pop value, and Peter's virtuoso guitar playing and crystal-clear voice combine with these other incredible musicians to form 14 great songs."
Breath of FRESH air!
2bigfeet | Connecticut, US | 10/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought Peter's "Music Box" & "Stirrin' Up The Water" CDs last year and haven't listen to anything as much as these two since. If I could write and produce songs like this I'd be a happy man, well lets just say way happier. The dynamics, musicianship, detail and production chops on these two albums are stunning. Forget that he is Jimmy Buffett's guitarist... you'd never know it. Any recording musicians out there that need inspiration... this is it. Total ear candy. Truly an original breath of fresh air."
The best album I've heard in many a year...
K. Bortz | Delmont, PA USA | 10/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...and that's not just rhetoric. This album is wonderful. The lyrics are deep and insightful, the production is very pleasant and not overbearing, and it has the hallmark of all Peter Mayer work - incredible musicianship and wonderful arrangements. That and a boatload of hooks.
When I say Peter Mayer, people say "who"? Then I tell them that his day job is the lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett's band, and he plays to his real muse in his own group. I tell them that his sound is like a cross between Dave Matthews and Paul Simon (and on this album there's some more poppy stuff that I swear could be on a Sugar Ray album if it was only a little poppier). The music runs the gamut from folk to jazz and dixieland to pop to world beat and gospel. And it all works. This album is that good. (And the song Faith in Angels was just broadcast on the MTV show "Made"). The title track is stirring, both lyrically and in the song structure.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Peter Mayer and his brother Jim (the bassist) and they are amazingly humble for the talent they possess. Don't let them be secrets, for this music needs to be heard. "Adult Album Alternative" radio should be all over this."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1