Go ahead and make fun of the past two John Mayer albums. God knows I have. The fluffy jazz-pop he's been known for -- that your mother and father listened to in their minivan, all while driving a safe 45 miles an hour -- has been a Top 40 radio staple. Forget about all that for just a minute.

Imagine if John Mayer actually -- seriously -- knew how to play a mean blues guitar. Imagine him backed by a tight rhythm section, and pumping out songs that screamed talent.

Fortunately for us, we don't have to imagine these things now that Mr. Marble Mouth -- sorry, Mr. Mayer -- has released a live album of his side project, Try! John Mayer Trio Live in Concert. Although you can tell at the beginning of the album that a majority of the crowd consists of girls that are there to hear Mayer play only his popular elevator-music tunes, the trio pumps out 11 songs on the disc, only two of which are songs Mayer has performed live before. I heard the rumors that Mayer had a strong set of blues chops, but not until Try! did I truly believe it was possible. Mayer strongly and sharply delivers on songs like "Good Love Is On The Way" and the bluesy, downright cool "Out of My Mind."

John Mayer Trio -- the other two members are drummer Steve Jordan (of The Blues Brothers) and bassist Pino Palladino -- also brings a couple of cover songs to the table, with Jimi Hendrix's "Wait Until Tomorrow" and Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman."

So yeah, John Mayer's done "Your Body Is A Wonderland." We all have to just accept that and move on. Yet if Mayer keeps up the rock and blues material that he seems to be progressing toward with the John Mayer Trio, his fan base may grow to be far larger than people like your younger sister and your Aunt Sally.

-- Reviewed by Mike Kulick