Try!

Try! is the first live album by the John Mayer Trio. It was recorded at the House of Blues, Chicago, Illinois and released by Columbia Records on November 22, 2005. The album was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The artwork for the album was done by Seattle graphic design firm, Ames Bros.

Production
The trio features John Mayer (guitar/lead vocals), Pino Palladino (bass), and Steve Jordan (drums/backup vocals). Unlike previous efforts by John Mayer, Try! focuses on popular blues renditions rather than adult-contemporary pop songs. The CD includes two cover songs, "Wait Until Tomorrow" by Jimi Hendrix, and "I Got a Woman" by Ray Charles; two songs from Mayer's previous album, Heavier Things, "Daughters" and "Something's Missing"; and also showcased two songs from Mayer's then forthcoming album, Continuum, "Vultures" and "Gravity".

Reception
Critical response to the album was mixed, with most critics being impressed with Mayer's progression and Palladino and Jordan's musicianship, while still being underwhelmed. Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone said, "over most of these sixty-three minutes [of the album], Mayer proves he can bowl you over, not just make your knees weak", ultimately giving the album three out of five stars. Katy Hastey of Billboard found that "while "Try!" is brimming with talent, it's not consistently compelling." People magazine praised the album, concluding, "Here's hoping Mayer keeps this new groove going for his next solo disc."

Personnel

 * Musicians
 * John Mayer – vocals, guitar, production, art direction, graphic design
 * Steve Jordan – drums, backing vocals, production
 * Pino Palladino – bass, backing vocals
 * Chalmers Alford – guitar on track 11
 * Additional personnel
 * Ames Bros. – art direction, graphic design
 * Danny Clinch – photography
 * Michael Caulfield – photography


 * Production personnel
 * John Alagia – additional production
 * Roger Moutenot – Pro Tools engineering
 * Chris Nelson – additional engineering
 * Hardi Kamsani – additional engineering
 * Joel Singer – additional engineering
 * Peter Gary – additional engineering
 * Joe Ferla – mixing, recording on tracks 3 and 10
 * Chad Franscoviak – recording on all tracks except 3 and 10
 * Greg Calbi – mastering