​Dave Mason (from the album A Shade of Blues

​Dave Mason (from the album A Shade of Blues

​Dave Mason (from the album A Shade of Blues on Berham Records) (by Danny McCloskey)


The title is a giveaway when Dave Mason brings A Shade of Blues into being, so it comes as no surprise that the album is colored by The Blues. The style fits Dave Mason perfectly, his vocals and guitar work becoming a united front as he covers the works of Blues godfathers such as Elmore James and Robert Johnson, balancing the tracks of A Shade of Blues with re-imagined versions of his previous bands as well as a handful of originals. He puts his heart into words and music when Dave Mason re-works “Good2U” from his 2008 release, 26 Letters and 12 Notes. He is joined on the song by Mike Finnegan, one of three tracks that include Mike on the album. Michael McDonald guests on the Dave Mason original “It’s Just You and Me” while saxophonist Warren Hill comes on board for the Latin Blues tones of “El Toro” as Dave Mason admits he is “Just Another Fool in Love” over a Jazz-inflected R&B rhythm.
 
Covering the band that brought his playing to the world, Dave Mason offers two tracks written by his Traffic bandmates, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood. He covers “Dear Mr. Fantasy” from the band’s 1967 debut, Mr. Fantasy, and adds a smokey, late-night texture to “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys”, included on a Traffic album released after Dave had left the band. A Shade of Blues adds its adopted style to both cuts as well as featuring fellow Bluesman Joe Bonamassa. Joe helps open the album when he becomes a part of the mighty groove that invigorates A Shade of Blues with first cut “Use It, or Lose It”.  Re-imagining a traditional Blues tune, Dave Mason delivers “Cocaine Blues” as he covers songs by Booker T Jones and William Bell (“Born Under a Bad Sign”) and Robert Johnson (“Come Home in My Kitchen”). (by Danny McCloskey)
 
Listen and buy the music of Dave Mason from AMAZON
 
For more information and purchase options, please visit the Dave Mason website