Written by Jim Bille

Dave Mason1Dave Mason made a return trip to Dosey Doe with his “Traffic Jam” show last month and played some of the better known tunes from the Traffic era. The show was masterfully produced as Mason weaved Traffic numbers he wrote along with other songs that the band made famous when Mason had left the ensemble as well as a healthy serving of his solo material.

Songs like “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” were re-arraigned to Mason’s liking which added a different twist to this classic Steve Winwood composition. “Pearly Queen, another Traffic stand out, was featured as well as “Medicated Goo”.

Mason’s take on “Dear Mr. Fantasy” was spot on original as he led his band through this number with long time band mate and guitar collaborator Johnne Sambataro taking control on lead guitar duties.

Mason’s re-arraignment of “Feelin Allright” into a quirky disco sounding tune was puzzling to say the least.

Although Mason’s days with Traffic resulted in the production of some pretty historic and ground breaking music, enough so to get him and the band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Fame, my personal favorites of the evening were from Mason’s long solo career which made up most of the second half of the show.

Songs like “Look at You Look at Me” “Only You Know and I Know” and “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave” from Mason’s landmark debut solo album Alone Together were instant fan favorites when this album was released in 1970 and still hold the same fan appreciation, as was evident from the Dosey Doe crowd’s enthusiastic reaction and applause.Dave Mason2Mason’s classic take on “All Along the Watchtower” was the encore of the evening which was another crowd pleaser as Mason, guitarist Johnne Sambatero, vocalist/keyboardist Tony Patler and drummer Alvino Bennett closed out the evening with one of Mason’s more recognizable versions of the Bob Dylan standard.

After 50 years in music, Mason has had the opportunity to collaborate and play with just about everyone in the business. Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Eric Clapton and more have all included Mason’s talent at some point on their recordings. To see such an icon in such an intimate setting as the Dosey Doe was an experience that the fans in attendance this night won’t soon forget.