Monday

I wasn’t yours Jason Mraz…But now maybe

Last night I was given a music lesson. It was the first time in a long time I saw a concert at a big venue, and not cramped into a small venue downtown. The venue was Molson Amphitheatre and the artist was Jason Mraz. Jason Mraz is arguably a one hit wonder with “I’m Yours” to those who don’t know him, however his journey before that song was an interesting one and for the record did create some amazing music along the way.

The concert for pure entertainment value was fautless. the band was tight and solid, Mraz’s vocal ability was incredible along with his showmanship. Mraz was the puppeeter with the crowd his puppeet, he cleavely intergrated “Toronto” into majority of his songs which the crowd would predictably erupt everytime.

In my time in Toronto I have generlly found Toronto crowds to be probably the least enthused crowds in the world. However last night was probably the first time the crowd came together as one and I once again felt like I was at a gig again. Mraz had to work hard to make this happen, and at times it felt like I was more at a motivational speaking convention then a gig but ultimately Mraz got the result he wanted.

If i’m guilty of something I’m somewhat of a snobbish and arogant critic when it comes to music. I’m guilty of being biased towards Australian artists and always comparing crowds here to there, along with artists from North America to Australia. Like all of my favourite artists do I look for music to tell me a story, to play with my emotions, to motivate and inspire me. I like music to make me think, make me calm and be the answer to the question sometimes I don’t have.

Critically speaking lyrically Mraz in my view is one dimensional, and one could argue if he never wrote “I’m Your’s” their would have been no chance he would have had the privillage of headlining a show in front of a big crowd.

Mraz and the Toronto fans last night changed my opinion on the meaning of music. That was he lesson I learnt. In a city that can often be filled with sombre faces, smiles beamed throughout the crowd.

Mraz did his job. He entertained. He brought joy to everyone in the crowd. For those two hours there was no police sirens, no violoence, no abuse and negativity was far from the Molson Amphitheatre.

As Mraz requested the crowd attempted to sing “I’m Yours” for the folks of Manitoba to hear, and laughter along with the chorus filled Molson Amphitheatre.

As I left the gig with my wife I thought how do I review this gig? In parts it was like being at a Wiggles concert and was far from the best performance I had ever witnessed. Did it matter though? No.

I take my hat off to a man who deserves to be on stage and his place in the music industry. His non offensive, non confrontational sunshine and lollipops directed music is sure to eventually win over any music enthsiast regardless of what your preconceptions of Mraz are.

The crowd was happy and a great night was had by all. I have learnt to get over myself and open up to music again. Even if it’s to enjoy a beat a melody or rhythm music no matter how you look at it essentially brings joy to our lives.

Mraz preaches peace, love and hapiness in all of his songs. It would take a warped person to critice that. Will Jason Mraz every reach the hights of a Jack Johnson or Ben Harper? Probably not. Will Jason Mraz every have a hit like “I’m Yours” again? Probably not. Will he fade away and be remebered as a one hit wonder? No.

Mraz doesn’t seek fame or glory, he truly doesn’t care if you like him or hate him. Mraz though realises he has the ability to entertain and take his crowd away to a better place be it for all of a couple of hours. Mraz will sure use this to motivate him throughout his career and I will be waiting to hear what he comes up with.