Mason is Through With Radio (Penn)

[michelej1]

Pennlive.com
By CHRIS MAUTNER, The Patriot-News The Patriot-News

http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2012/01/...le_in_wit.html

Dave Mason has a resume most musicians would kill to have.

Along with Steve Winwood, he was one of the co-founders of the jazz-rock band Traffic. He’s played with Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix (most notably on the song “All Along the Watchtower”). He shows up on George Harrison’s seminal solo album, “All Things Must Pass.” He was a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s.

And he’s written and performed songs — “Feelin’ Alright,” “Only You Know and I Know,” “We Just Disagree” — which have become classic radio staples.

Not that Mason has anything nice to say about radio these days.

“There’s no radio anymore. There’s no format for artists like me. It doesn’t exist,” he said during a recent phone interview. “Radio frankly bores me. I hope it eventually dies.”

While Mason said he continues to write new songs, he doubts he’ll release another album.

“Unless people know you have something going on, they don’t know where to get it. The last CD I did [2008’s “26 Letters — 12 notes”] was one of the better things I’ve done, and there was no real way to expose people to it, so it just died,” Mason said.

While he might have put the brakes on recording, Mason hasn’t stopped touring, and he’ll perform a special acoustic set of his songs Friday at Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center.

Mason said he appreciates the difference in tenor and atmosphere an acoustic show has over a live one.

“Performing with a band is more of an assault, and acoustic is drawing people in,” Mason said. “There’s more communication with an audience.”

There’s also the opportunity to play slightly lesser known songs such as “Can’t Stop Worrying, Can’t Stop Loving” from his 1970 “Alone Together” album.

“It’s basically stripping it down to the bare bones,” he said. “Luckily, I’ve got enough good songs that stand up that way.”

Mason said he doesn’t get tired of performing classic songs, either.

“I’m not in the camp of people that go onstage and are not going to do any hits,” he said. “If I’m going to go see an act, I want to hear [those] songs.”

Mason has performed in Harrisburg a number of times, although he says the rigors of his touring schedule keep him from taking in the sights.

“I’m never in a place long enough to really know [about it],” he said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time I’m in a town for one night and that’s it.”

When he’s not on the road or making music, Mason devotes himself to charity groups, including one called Vessels for Veterans, an all-volunteer movement that helps returning veterans transition back to civilian or educational work by giving them the necessary tools. Mason credited the group with helping start a farm in Jacksonville, Fla., and a cleaning service in St. Louis.

“We all believe people who put on a uniform and put their lives on the line deserve any chance they can get,” he said. “We feel very strongly about it.”

IF YOU GO: Dave Mason will perform a special acoustic set at 8 p.m. Friday at Sunoco Performance Theater, Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Cost: $32, $38. Info: 717-214-2787.

[PenguinHead]

Has anyone heard his last album? I'm curious now, since he said it's some of the best work he ever did.

The only album/CD I have of Dave Mason, aside from Fleetwood Mac's Time album is the the one he did with "Mama" Cass Elliot in 1973. I really love that one.

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by PenguinHead

Has anyone heard his last album? I'm curious now, since he said it's some of the best work he ever did.

The only album/CD I have of Dave Mason, aside from Fleetwood Mac's Time album is the the one he did with "Mama" Cass Elliot in 1973. I really love that one.

It was the best work he ever did in my opinion. Great album!

[doodyhead]

I have not heard much of Dave Mason in the last few years, but I must say prior to this century, One of the best solo Albums of all time by anyone was "Alone Together"
And if you can find it, get the original vinyl release, which st the standard for specialty releases that are now in vouge with new artists

The album is a fold out record jacket in an oddd shape outlining him in a top hat on one side and him in front of a mottled green mountain. The record itself is in coloured vinyl that matched the mountainside. Many great tracks with real tasy music in it . many good musicians on it. . Since any one on this board is into some kind of nostalgia, this is a mut have.

vinnie c