Dave Mason-Alone Together by Johnny Hollywood

Recently, I went to my local music store looking for a Mountain CD. I had a Mississippi Queen and Nantucket Sleighride jones to fix. At the store, there was a song playing in the background. First, it captured my attention subliminally and then it crept its way into my conscious thoughts. Before I knew it I had completely forgotten about the CD I was looking for and became lost in the unmistakable vintage 70’s guitar work and the lyrics: “Shouldn’t have took more then you gave… Then we wouldn’t be in this mess today… I know we’ve all got different ways… But the dues we’ve got to pay are still the same...” I completely identified with what was being said, as it described a large portion of my life. I asked the owner of the store if he was playing a Traffic CD. He said: “Close, it’s Dave Mason”. It was a quintessential “Where were you when…” moment. Well, I know where I was and as with all definitive moments, since then, nothing has ever been the same. That was my introduction to what is now one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time: Dave Mason’s – Alone Together.

Released in 1970, Alone Together is Dave Mason’s first solo effort. With the first 3 Traffic albums behind him, Mason travels familiar territory with Alone Together. While this recording compliments those early albums, it stands perfectly well on its own.

Mason releases intensely personal feelings without allowing the listener to become a voyeur. The lyrics are vague enough to draw you in, compare them to experiences in your own life and then make the songs your own. The aptly titled album is a collection of 8 masterpieces by someone beginning to process the nature of interpersonal relationships.

The music itself is a deceptively simple, masterly crafted melodic blend of acoustic based rock. For his first outing Mason calls on friends like: Jim Capaldi, Leon Russell, and Rita Coolidge. Stylistically the album ranges from the rocking, radio friendly “Only You Know and I Know” and “Waiting on You” to the thoughtful, lamenting “Sad and Deep as You”. Mason’s guitar playing is the foundation of the entire album and after one listen you’ll understand why he was such a sought after session musician. One of the highlights, which initially drew me to the CD in the first place, is his emotionally charged wah wah work on “Shouldn’t Have Took More Then You Gave”. On the track “Just a Song” he gives some of the best pickers in the business a run for their money. Leon Russell’s piano and Hammond playing shines throughout the entire album. The album culminates with the seven and a half minute roller coaster “Look At You, Look At Me” written with fellow Traffic alumni Capaldi.

Dave Mason was only 25 years old when Alone Together was released. By then he had been a roadie for the Spencer Davis Group, formed Traffic, and joined Delany & Bonnie who were touring with Blind Faith, then, helped start Derek and The Domino’s with Eric Clapton and the rhythm section from Delaney and Bonnie. As if that weren’t enough, he had time to lend his guitar work to some other notable bands. Among others, he appears on the following recordings: Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland, The Rolling Stones - Beggar’s Banquet and George Harrison – All Things Must Pass.

It’s been over 35 years since Alone Together was released and Dave Mason has been on the road for over 5 decades and has appeared on over 60 albums. To this day, half the tracks from this record that are still a staple of his live show. Not a bad start on an amazingly prolific career.

Dave Mason