Dave Mason

Bio:

At age 18, the Worchester England native teamed up with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood to form the legendary band Traffic. At 19, Mason penned the song "Feelin' Alright". This song has since become a rock and roll anthem, having been recorded by well over 48 artists, the best known version being Joe Cocker. The group's profound influence over rock music remains unquestioned even today.

Mason departed from the group after their second album. In 1969 Dave headed for the USA to pursue a solo career. He struck gold with the album "Alone Together", which is considered a rock classic. This was followed by five albums for CBS/Sony including "Dave Mason" and "Mariposa De Oro", four of which received gold albums. "Let It Flow", which has gone well over platinum, contained the classic "We Just Disagree", a top-ten single! In addition to performing to sold-out audiences, Mason performed on a number of albums such as The Rolling Stones' "Beggars's Banquet", George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass", Paul McCartney's "Listen To What The Man Said" and Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Ladyland". One of the songs from the "Ladyland" album, "All Along the Watchtower", featured Dave playing acoustic guitar. This song, written by Bob Dylan, remains a big favorite in Dave's live show!

In October of 1993, Dave Mason formally joined the legendary group Fleetwood Mac and spent two years touring with them around the world. The band completed and album for Warner Brothers called "Time", which was released in October 1995, and features Dave's lead vocals on songs including "Blow By Blow" and "I Wonder Why".

Dave Mason's career spans over 37 years and has encompassed producing, performing and song writing. Not to mention being one of rock's great guitar players! Along with his induction as a founding member of the group Traffic into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, he is currently putting the finishing touches to a brand new solo album. In January. Along with his partner Ravi Sawhney, Dave launched a brand new electric guitar company at the 2004 NAMM show, in Anaheim, CA. Click HERE to see what RKS Guitars is all about!

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Member Since:

April 24, 2006

Members:

Gerald Johnson: Bass Guitarist

John Sambataro: Guitar / Vocals

Alvino Bennett: Drums

Bill Mason: Keyboards

Chris Curtis: Front of House Engineer

Suzanne Paris: Background Vocals on Dave Mason Live: "The Deluxe Edition"

Influences:

DAVE MASON Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the classic group Traffic, has released his first album in over 20 years! Dave has recorded with legends Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, and Fleetwood Mac. While with Traffic he penned the classic hit "Feelin' Alright." Dave then followed with two highly acclaimed platinum solo albums, Alone Together (including the single "Only Know and I know") and Let It Flow (featuring the hit single "We Just Disagree").

26 LETTERS AND 12 NOTES was released under the OTB label October 14th, 2008. It contains twelve classic new tracks and features five singles: "Good 2 U," "Pink Lipstick," "How Do I Get To Heaven" (Featuring Willie Nelson on guitar), "That's Love (featuring Shelia E), and "Full Circle and Then." The album was produced by Dave with help from Mark & Brian Pastoria (Harmonie Park), Ron & Howard Albert (Miami Audio Vision), Ted Perlman, Tre Perry, and Phil Bonanno. Dave is currently performing about 100 shows a year with the Dave Mason Band across the U.S. and Canada. The Band includes Gerald Johnson (Bass), John Sambataro (guitar), Alvino Benett (Drums) & Bill Mason (Keyboards).

Thom Jurek reviews Mason's 26 Letters 12 Notes Dave Mason - 26 Letters - 12 Notes is his first new album in a decade. Originally produced by Mason at home in California, additional recording was done in Detroit and Miami. It's a back to basics, '70s style rock and Brit soul record. It contains some modern co-production by a number of folks including the Motor City's {Mark and Brian Pastoria} where mixing was also done. It reveals Mason not only as a solid, focused, and relevant songwriter in the rock idiom, but as an expressive vocalist of uncanny power and depth (he's actually gotten BETTER over the decades). His guitar playing has continued to develop and grow: he is a far more interesting player than his peer {Eric Clapton} is at this stage of the game.

There isn't anything showy or hyper-consciously "dazzling" in the presentation, Mason's always been humble, and he sets his playing and singing to be true to his songs. There are some stellar guests on the set, including Willie Nelson (playing guitar, not singing), percussionist and vocalist Shiela E. The big surprise is soul/gospel vocalist {Beth Griffith} belting it out with great firepower. The production is warm, lively and immediate. It's not in your face; instead it concentrates on presenting the music as live dynamically, though it is rich and deep in its textures.

The opener, {"Good 2 U,"} is classic Mason; with a bluesy guitar riff, backed by taut string arrangement. The blues ring out in fills against Mason's open, emotional baritone. The guitar winds around a funky backbeat on the refrain, complete with a chorus of backing vocalists, a tight snare and a slithering B3. {"One Day,"} opens with the same raucous Stratocaster playing a gospel blues, and Mason belting it out on top. The chorus, piano and organ interact with that guitar and are infectious. The keyboard sounds meld into Mason's rough-edged guitar in a chorded riff; they feel the sound of the middle 70s radio rock roaring out of the dashboard speakers. This is a highway anthem disguised as a broken love song. Mason's lyrics serve his voice; they are wonderfully written. In {"How Do I Get To Heaven,"} his writing emotionally worthy of {Barrett Strong} and lyrically of {Bob Dylan}. This is a hymn to busted love so emotionally authentic, we keep expecting the singer to break down. There's a beautiful pedal steel here played by {Dana Keller} that does exactly what it's supposed to do: add a ton of atmosphere without being intrusive. atmosphere. Mason loves late R&B and early rock and roll evidenced by the swagger in {"Ain't Your Legs Tired Baby,"} with a smoking baritone sax adding raunch to the roll. Other winners include the mid tempo torch song in {"Passing Thru The Flame,"} and two pumped up slippery funk tunes in {"That's Love,"} and {"World Of Hunger"} with {Sheila E}. There's also a happening Spanish guitar-tinged instrumental called {&"El Toro."} The set ends with the country-ish {"Full Circle And Then,"} a gorgeous love song, with wonderful acoustic and electric guitar work as well as Mason's deeply committed vocal.

26 Letters and 12 Notes stands tall in Mason's catalogue; it's proof that some veteran rockers are still hungry for the Muse; they've have been stashing diamonds in the dust of age-this album is full of them and proof that Mason doesn't rest on his laurels. ~ Thom Jurek

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

Out The Box Records Distributed by RED