Dave Mason has lost some hair and gained some weight, but he still sounds strong after all these years. Chateau Ste. Michelle hosts a lot of concerts by older rockers, and some of them are aging better than others. I've been disappointed with a few of the concerts I've seen there over the years (e.g., James Taylor and Crosby, Stills & Nash), but the show by Dave Mason last night – a special Vintage Reserve Club Member Appreciation Concert (for people who are members of the CSM wine club) – was one of the best. Most of the songs he and his band played in the single set (plus one encore) were classics from the early 70s – for which he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, along with the other co-founders of the band, Traffic – but he included three songs from his relatively new album (26 Letters, 12 Notes) that were also quite good … in fact, they were probably the best new songs from an old rocker I've heard at any concert at the winery.
Mason was joined on stage by bassist Gerald Johnson, guitarist Johnne Sambataro, drummer Alvino Bennett and keyboardist Tony Patler. The group had lots of energy, great rhythm and good harmony. We were in front of the stage for much of the show, right in front of the speakers, so the solid beat laid down by the bassist and drummer gave us some good vibes. Shortly after the show began, it started raining, and about half way through it started raining pretty hard. Fortunately, the performers were shielded from the precipitation – as were those of us who had moved up early to enjoy the show directly in front of the stage – and they kept right on playing. In fact, I don't even remember them saying anything about the weather.
Come to think of it, I don't recall them saying much about anything (including the songs they were playing). I suppose that may reflect the one criticism I have of the show. As with the Chicago concert we saw at CSM two years ago, I noticed that lots of people (including me) were singing along to nearly all the songs, and yet unlike that concert, the band never stopped singing to invite the audience to participate more fully in a sing-along. Feelin' Alright, in particular, represented a big missed opportunity for letting us bellow out a well-loved chorus … all the more ironic given that Dave Mason was the one who wrote the lyrics for the Traffic song, You Can Join In.
As usual, I was taking notes of the songs during the show, but unfortunately, despite staying mostly dry, the ink on my page of notes ran, so this list does not represent a complete set. Also, I didn't recognize any of the three new songs he played, as it was the first time I've heard them, so they are not listed here.
- World in Changes
- Let It Go, Let It Flow
- Forty Thousand Headmen
- Look at You, Look at Me
- We Just Disagree
- Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave
- Only You Know and I Know
- Feelin' Alright
- Dear Mr. Fantasy (encore)
- All Along the Watchtower (encore)
Comments
6 responses to “Dave Mason concert @ Chateau Ste. Michelle”
Kia ora Joe,
Reads like a great show. Dave, as well as Traffic, were always on my high repeat list back in the 80’s and 90’s but I must admit I drifted away from them over the last decade. We Just Disagree was a song that got me through my first breakup with a girl I really loved, Buns, and maybe even part of the reason she and I are still friends to this day. Just a great song. Feelin’ Alright is a song that has stood the test of time as well. Cheers Joe, I will have to check out his new offering, and more importantly, go back and listen to some of these old gems. Cheers.
Rangimarie,
Robb
Hi Robb,
I fondly remember listening to Dave Mason and Traffic many times at Ripon with Jeff and other mutual friends.
Thanks for sharing some of the personal meaning that Dave Mason’s music has had for you. Interestingly (perhaps), I had a similar experience with his music helping me work through a relationship “transformation”, but it was via the song Feelin’ Alright.
All my Dave Mason and Traffic music is on vinyl, and I’m trying to decide whether to “restock” with CDs … and whether to pick up his new album.
FWIW, I found a YouTube video of Feelin’ Alright from the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony … which does have a singalong … and which includes Jackson Browne on guitar … who was also inducted that year … and who I will be seeing at Chateau Ste. Michelle later this summer.
Joe.
Why can’t I find the 11+ minute version of “Feelin’ Alright”? I’ve heard it on local Corpus Christi, TX radio in the past 2-3 years. It’s my forever favorite version, and the other versions aren’t even close to being as good as this one. Does anyone know the location of this LLLOOOONNNGGG version, or am I dreaming? I want it!! I’ll buy it; I’ll eat it; I’ll drink it; I’ll republish it; whatever it takes to find it!! I would think this version would be everyone’s favorite–even Dave’s.
pburton@stx.rr.com
I’ll gladly pay whatever Dave wants for the 11-minute+ version, but, Dave, I’m not buying any of the others because each one has something a little crappy in it. I don’t know why you allowed this. Use the long version as your REAL money song. I’m just sayin’…
Joe,
If you’re the webmaster, I need answers soon. Since it seems your last post was 2009, should I search elsewhere? Suggestions?
Hi Patsy,
I am the author of this blog (and so I suppose that makes me the webmaster); although I haven’t written anything more on Dave Mason or his concert since this post, I have written about some of the other concerts I’ve seen (under the Music category of my blog).
I share your enthusiasm for Feelin’ Alright, but can’t provide any further information about the 11+ minute version you’ve heard on the radio. Perhaps if you were to contact the radio station, they can help you track it down … and if you succeed, please post information / links back here. Thanks!
Joe.