The great Dave Mason died on April 19th, one month short of hitting 80, and hitting various marks and hurdles has always been his thing. Back in 2015, the veteran told this scribe, when asked about his career arc, “Hopefully, I haven’t hit the highest point. And lowest? There really hasn’t been one. You just go and do what you’re doing”: and that’s as fine a summary of what the English artist used to do as it gets.
Universally known as a co-founder of TRAFFIC and a writer of the perennial “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole In My Shoe” that’s been covered by a multitude of other musicians, there’s much more in Mason’s biography to define him as a major mover in the world of rock. Dave produced “Music In A Doll’s House” for FAMILY and left his imprint on no less than three evergreen pieces by his friends – and if his contribution to THE ROLLING STONES’ “Street Fighting Man” was minimal, his role on WINGS “Listen To What The Man Said” seemed more prominent, while what he did for Jimi Hendrix, singing backing for “Crosstown Traffic” and enhancing “All Along The Watchtower” with a 12-string acoustic strum, became part of legend. As did Mason showing George Harrison how to properly play slide guitar and proceeding to join the “All Things Must Pass” personnel, and helping out FLEETWOOD MAC in the ’90s.
Still, to fully appreciate what Dave did one will have to listen to his ’70s oeuvre and go beyond “We Just Disagree” – the Englishman’s only big hit as a solo performer – because the consistency of Mason’s work is astonishing: there’s nary a weak album in his discography, occasional sonic experiment notwithstanding. Be it blues, rock or pop, he handled styles and melodies with great elegance, and was just as elegant as a character. He’ll be sorely missed by many.
