Dave Mason in Concert: An Evening of Solo Hits, Traffic Songs, and Covers

Dave Mason. Co-founder of the excellent and unique 1970s band, Traffic. Songwriter of Traffic songs, “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe,” the former becoming a huge hit for Joe Cocker. Played with a variety of other artists, including, Crosby & Nash, Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Cass Elliot, and Leon Russell. Notable appearances on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, the Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man,” and supporting Jimi Hendrix on the 12-string for “All Along the Watchtower.” A long successful solo career with a hit on his debut album, “Only You Know and I Know,” and “We Just Disagree” later on. But in the late ’70s and ’80s he became more commercial trying to keep and expand his audience. Horns, strings and background singers were all added resulting in an overproduced mix. And singing about coconuts. So, would he be worth seeing in 2023 at 77 years old? Well, I have five of his older solo albums and one Traffic album with him, he’s a Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer, and he’s coming to my town a few miles way. I have never really seen him (not counting a big outdoor show at UCSB in 1975 with Little Feat and the Allman Brothers.) And a center aisle seat on the third row for 50 bucks. So, yes!

The tone was set with the opening rocker “Only You Know and I Know;” the guitar playing of Mason and his longtime band member Johnne Sambataro would be a highlight of the night. Then a trio of Traffic songs, including “Rock and Roll Stew” and “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys,” indicated that he would play more than a token number or two from his early band, even some from after his tenure with them. As Mason said, those songs were A.D. (After Dave), so he could do whatever the hell he wanted with them. And he did shake them it up. “Low Spark…” was a high school anthem for me, and I didn’t recognize it until hearing the lyrics several minutes into the song. Other Traffic songs included “Medicated Goo,” “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” “Forty Thousand Headmen,” and of course, “Feelin’ Alright,” the sing-along finale. In addition to “Only You…,” there were three other songs from his solo debut album Alone Together, among them “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave.”

The cover songs were another highlight of the show starting with “All Along the Watchtower.” From playing on the original Hendrix recording, covering the song on his self-titled 1974 album, and playing it at his concerts for years, this one was expected. But Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” was not. What a beautiful song. Sambataro delivered on what must be a challenging song to sing. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” was especially cool. Originally recorded by The Supremes, Vanilla Fudge made it their lasting hit in 1967. The vocalist and keyboard player for Vanilla Fudge, Mark Stein, just so happens to be in Mason’s current touring band. Somehow, he looks about 50 years old and sounds like he did in 1967.

Mason’s voice sounded remarkably good, and he still commands attention on guitar solos. But nevertheless, the guy is 77 years old. The band was excellent, providing a boost to Mason musically and vocally, when needed. In addition to Sambataro and Stein, Ray Cardwell on bass and Marty Fera on drums, rounded out the quintet. The show exceeded my expectations. The Traffic songs and covers augmented his solo material making it an enjoyable evening all the way through. It was definitely worth it.

D² Rating: ◼◼◼◼☐

Trivia: Who were the other three co-founders of Traffic?

Answer: Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood

Trivia: Steve Winwood left Traffic in 1969 and returned to the band less than a year later. What did he do in the meantime?

Answer: He formed supergroup Blind Faith with Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, and Ric Grech (from Traffic).