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Dave MasonEnglish musician, songwriter and guitarist
Date of Birth: 10.05.1946
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Biography of Dave Mason
- Solo Career and Collaborations
- Solo Albums and "Traffic" Reunion
- Later Years and Legacy
Biography of Dave Mason
Early Life and CareerDave Mason, a renowned English musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist, was born on May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England. He started his musical journey as a self-taught guitarist in the provincial bands "Jaguars" and "Hellians," alongside Jim Capaldi and Luther Grosvenor. Mason made his first appearance in the music industry with "Spencer Davis Group," where he worked as a touring manager and participated in the recording of the single "I'm a Man." While working with "Traffic," he recorded his debut solo single, "Hole In My Shoe." His song "Feelin' Alright" from "Traffic's" repertoire became an unofficial anthem of white psychedelic soul rock, performed by almost every famous band.
Solo Career and Collaborations
Mason's talent as a prolific songwriter and composer overshadowed his ability to work in a regular ensemble. He left "Traffic" for the first time at the end of 1967 and became the producer of the album "Music In a Doll's House" by the band "Family." It was evident that Mason's creative contribution to "Traffic" was much greater than the other members who focused on improvisation and creating psychedelic musical "flair." This was illustrated in the band's first album, "Mr. Fantasy."
In his solo work, Mason released singles such as "Just For You" and "Little Woman." In 1968, he joined Jimi Hendrix in the recording of the album "Electric Ladyland" and also contributed to albums like George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" and the Rolling Stones' "Beggar's Banquet." Mason reunited with "Traffic" temporarily in March 1968, but the band dissolved when he left. He formed a short-lived group with Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi, and Winwood K. Frogg before heading to Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Mason crossed paths with Graham Parsons, Cass Elliot, and the duo "Delaney & Bonnie." He became a member of the ensemble "Friends," accompanying the duo in a successful Anglo-American tour in 1969, playing guitar alongside Eric Clapton. His work can be heard on the album "On Tour." Mason also occasionally played with "Derek & the Dominoes" and performed at their first concert in London in 1970.
Solo Albums and "Traffic" Reunion
After securing the support of "Blue Thumb," Mason released his highly anticipated solo album, "Alone Together," featuring talented accompaniment from "Delaney & Bonnie" and their circle. The album received rave reviews from critics and became a bestseller in the United States, although it went relatively unnoticed in his native England. Undeterred, Mason continued working and collaborated with Cass Elliot.
In October 1970, they performed in Los Angeles and embarked on a tour of the United States with a three-piece backing band. However, their collaboration proved intriguing but ultimately unsuccessful. Their joint album, which garnered little attention, was released in 1971, and the artists went their separate ways.
Mason rejoined "Traffic" for the third time, and his compositions, which showcased appealing counterpoints and Winwood's richly modulated vocals, became part of the band's repertoire again. He left "Traffic" once more and, while in America, recorded a double album. Due to contractual issues with "Blue Thumb," it was released in two parts: "Headkeeper" was semi-live and semi-studio, while the album "Dave Mason Is Alive" contained the rest of the live material. Unfortunately, it was never released in England.
Mason then switched to "CBS" and, free from contractual disputes, continued releasing albums regularly throughout the 1970s. "It's Like You Never Left" was his second purely studio album after "Alone Together," and subsequent releases like "Dave Mason" and "Split Coconut" showcased a progressive improvement in his music. He formed a new backing band for the recording of "Split Coconut" and had a highly successful European tour in 1976.
Later Years and Legacy
However, Mason's instability affected the quality of his work, as the live double album "Certified Live," based on the material from this tour, received poor reception. The album "Let It Flow" once again demonstrated his commercial potential, with Steven Stills adding emotional depth to the vocal sound. Mason retained a significant audience and solidified his reputation as a talented and respected guitarist and composer.
From the early 1980s onwards, he lived mostly in the musical underground, releasing only one album in 1987 on a small label. Despite this, Mason's contributions to the music industry and his unique sound have left a lasting legacy.
