Appropriately named, Dave Mason’s 2022 tour, “World in Changes” paid a visit to San Diego with two sold out concerts the week of May 1st, at the Belly-Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California.
This concert was timely with Dave Mason’s feel-good energy and lyrically important songs that tell a story of love and hope of a better world in the throes of transformation and change.
Not knowing ahead of time who the opening act was to be, this writer was actually “thunderstruck” by Thunderstorm Artis. (Yes that is his given name)
Taking the stage with only an acoustic guitar this unassuming 26-year-old captured the audience with his mild, humble, and heartfelt manner but mostly by his soothing and melodic voice. In addition to his original tunes, Artis covered well know songs with a new approach and his own unique style. This young new artist unexpectedly “wowed” this writer.
Thunderstorm Artis – Image: FB
Well suited for Dave Mason’s “World in Changes” Tour, the song in Artis’ opening set that gave me goosebumps was John Lennon’s “Imagine.” This song has been covered by many, but I’m not sure I have ever heard it sung with such passion and intent as by Thunderstorm with only his acoustic guitar and his smooth yet powerful voice.
His set also included his rendition of the Beatles “Blackbird” which was the song that won this Hawaiian born music industry newbie, a spot on the TV series, The Voice. Coached by John Legend in the 2020 season, Thunderstorm made it all the way to the top three.
Keep an eye out for Thunderstorm Artis. We are sure to see much more of this singer-songwriter!
As the opening act concluded the stage was taken by our headliner, Dave Mason. Mason now 75 years young, still reflected the spirit of a young man, looking healthy and trim. This well- seasoned master artist no doubt still has his groove going on! His agility now as a guitarist is just as smooth and intentional, and quite possibly better, than the younger version of himself. About to be 76 on May 8th Dave energetically played his 15-song set masterfully as expected.
There wasn’t an ounce of disappointment as the band, which consisted of: BILL MASON, (KEYS AND VOCALS), JOHNNE SAMBATARO (GUITAR AND VOCALS), RAY CARDWELL, (BASS AND VOCALS), AND ALVINO BENNETT (PERCUSSION) rocked the house with all the anticipated favorites, some of which were played with a new vibe, but still mostly staying true to the original arrangements we have come to know and love.
Every baby boomer has in their memory archive at least one or two Dave Mason songs that define a time in their life that stirs up the pangs of a previous and younger year experience but also, another time in history when we rocked the world with political and societal changes. This may be why Dave Mason’s songs still resonate and remain relevant today after 50 years.
England born, Dave Mason’s music catalogue spans over 50 plus years. From the days of his short-lived stint with Steve Winwood as co-founder of the band “Traffic” in 1967 to a budding solo career. Mason’s time with Traffic, although only lasting three years was significant, as it birthed Masons’ signature song “Feelin’ Alright” on the album “Traffic” just before the break from the band in 1970 and the release of the band’s second album, “Mr. Fantasy.”
Little did anyone know, “Feelin’ Alright” a catchy hook, two chord song written by Mason at the age of 19, would go on to be recorded more than 60 plus times by some high-profile artists and bands including Grand Funk Railroad, Three Dog Night, Lou Rawls, Dianna Ross, Gladys Knight, and the Pips just to name a few. But the song took off like wildfire on the charts when Joe Cocker put his iconic voice to it and covered it for his debut album “With A Little Help from My Friends.”
Joe Cocker’s cover of the song became a top 40 hit in 1972 and would go on to become Joe Cocker’s trademark song. There are only a small handful of rock songs that can be considered anthems, but this song has earned the label and has become one of the most powerful well-known and beloved songs in rock and roll history.
After the departure from Traffic, Dave Mason’s solo career was launched by his well renown album “Alone together.” This 1970 hit album reached #22 on the charts and went gold in the US with the release of the hit single “Only You Know, and I Know.” The song was his first hit chart single with the B side of “Sad and Deep as You.”
Mason’s “Alone Together” album, my personal favorite, is a collection of eight tracks all written by Mason with very relatable lyrics, musically balanced with groovy, bluesy, and soulful acoustic and electric rock guitar accents and lead licks. Complete with a cast of accomplished artists including Leon Russel, Jim Capaldi, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon and embellished with the smokey vocal harmonies of Rita Coolidge and additional backup vocals of Delaney & Bonnie and Claudia Lennear the album became a huge success.
The eight album cuts have proven to be some of Dave Mason’s most time tested and favored songs:
Only You Know and I Know
Can’t Stop Worrying
Waitin’ On You
You shouldn’t Have Took More than You Gave
World In Changes
Sad and Deep as You
Just a Song
Look At You Look At me
Released by Blue Thumb Records, the vinyl album itself was an interesting piece of art. Thirty percent of the records were produced in a so-called “vinyl marble” with a swirled mix of pink, brown and beige rather than the usual solid black. The original record jacket is an interesting trifold design with a half pocket on the inside to hold the record without a paper sleeve. The top of the trifold has a die cut image of Mason in a top hat and tails, folded behind him a rocky cliffside backdrop with a graffitied display of the artist’s name and the album title. The design of this unique album cover was intended to be hung on a wall as a poster as it is complete with a die cut hole at the top for that purpose. This writer feels fortunate to own one of these treasures!
2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Dave Mason’s style of music is hard to define as it has all the ingredients of blues, rock, jazz and sometimes a folksy feel. Some descriptions even call it Psychedelic Rock or Soft Rock, but mostly in this writer’s description is just good solid well written rock.
Dave’s undefinable music, style and talent did not go unnoticed.
Dave’s artistry, guitar playing, song writing, producing and vocal talent also lead him to some noteworthy collaborations and contributions to a number of famous albums with well-known artists including Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, The Stones, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac and Eric Clapton just to name a few. In addition, he also cut a duet album in 1970 with Cass Elliot of the Mama’s and Papas that would prove to be a hidden gem in his musical catalog.
More recently, in 2020 he took on a new project during quarantine to reimagine his iconic album “Alone Together” renaming it “Alone Together Again.” Mason has been noted as saying that his inspiration for the remake, was that he was never really satisfied with the vocals of his then, 24-year-old self on the original recording. The 2020 versions of the eight-song vinyl album have a fresh new sound not only because of improved technology but because the songs seem to take on a new vibe. The new version of “World in Changes “is worthy of attention as it has been dramatically transformed into a cool reggae groove.
I have to say that the performance of the new version of this song at the Belly-Up concert was surprising at first, and then after I got over the expectation of hearing the original version, I really got into the groove. The crowd seemed to as well as they sang and swayed along to this all-time classic, now reggae, favorite. The song sort of took on a new meaning for me.
The opening song, an all-time favorite written by Jim Krueger and released in 1977 on the “Let It Flow” album, “WE JUST DISAGREE” resonated with the audience. There is no doubt the song was well intentioned with its meaningful lyrics for a “World in Changes” tour, right? “…there’s only you and me, and we just disagree…” It seems to be a sensible and positive approach to the theme of the news and conversations last few years.
The opening song was followed by a selection of Traffic songs including: “Rock and Roll Stew,“ “Low Spark of High- Heel Boys,” “Mr. Fantasy,” and “40,000 Headmen,” all well received by Dave’s audience, and then a few cuts from the “Alone Together” album, “Share Your Love” from the Mariposa De Oro album and a fun song “Road Dogs” that Dave remarked well described him and his band on this tour.
Thrown into the set mix was a surprising classic, as Dave took out his bright red 1950’s Fender Strat. What??? Check it out…, a crazy cool version of the old surf song “Apache.” He prefaced the song by making the comment “as he was growing up all he knew about Surf was the detergent!” He talked about how he always wanted to play this song after it was covered by an English instrumental rock group “The Shadows” who were popular in the late 50’s-60’s. The band’s rendition was spot on and complimentary to the original recording.
As the night proceeded the audience remained engaged until the end but not without the encore song! What we were all waiting for…. “All Along the Watchtower,” the Bob Dylan classic, also covered by Jimi Hendrix. Such a great finale to a great night left us all singing the song in our hearts and minds as the night commenced.
To conclude, I believe we just might have discovered that we truly can be “Feelin’ Alright in a World of Changes!” Thanks Dave! Happy Birthday!