Dave Mason Discography

The Best Of Dave Mason 1995

"The Best Of Dave Mason At Columbia" would be a more accurate title, as this doesn't include work from his early-'70s LPs for Blue Thumb. The 19 tracks spotlight selections from seven albums that he recorded for Columbia. Including the hits "We Just Disagree," "Let It Go, Let It Flow," and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," it charts his move from easygoing early-'70s FM rock to a more mainstream AOR pop sound. ~ Richie Unterberger -- Richie Unterberger, All-Music Guide SONY 7464 57165 2

Tracks: 1. Baby... Please (3:15) 2. Misty Morning Stranger(4:31) 3. It's Like You Never Left (3:04) 4. Show Me Some Affection(3:21) 5. Every Woman (3:02) 6. Bring It on Home to Me(2:56) 7. You Can't Take It WhenmYou Go (4:09) 8. Split Coconut (3:41) 9. You Can Lose It (3:07) 10. Long Lost Friend (4:28) 11. We Just Disagree(3:01) 12. So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away) (4:07) 13. Let It Go, Let It Flow(3:16) 14. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (3:51) 15. Don't It Make You Wonder (3:01) 16. Save Me (3:38) 17. Feelin' Alright (6:22) 18. Only You Know and I Know (4:21) 19. All Along the Watchtower (4:58)

Dave Mason, who hadn't released a new album in seven years, surprisingly released two in 1987. The second was "Two Hearts," a major label stab at a comeback. Steve Winwood, Mason's estwhile partner in Traffic, contributed background vocals, synthesizer and organ on a few tracks ("Something In The Heart" featured that patented "While You See A Chance" synth sound), and the album featured a soft-rock radio hit in "Dreams I Dream," a duet with Phoebe Snow. But co-producer Jimmy Hotz tried to update Mason for the '80s by using a heavily synthesized musical backup that wasn't always appropriate to Mason's songs. The album made no commercial impression, and Mason once again was without a record label. ~ William Ruhlmann

Tracks: 1. Two Hearts 2. Just a Little Lovin' 3. Forever 4. Dreams I Drean 5. Something in the Heart 6. Ballerina 7. Fighting for Love 8. Replace the Face

Dave Mason's first new album in seven years was a well-constructed collection of pop-rock songs in a style similar to his Columbia records of the 1970s and, like them, featuring second guitarist and harmony singer Jim Krueger. Unfortunately, the album was released by the small Canadian label Maze (distributed in the U.S. by A & M and attracted very little notice. ~ William Ruhlmann -- William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide

Tracks: 1. Breakaway (3:53) 2. Fools Gold (2:00) 3. Hold On (3:18) 4. In Love with You (3:50) 5. Strong Heart (3:49) 6. Sour Grapes (3:28) 7. Draw the Line (4:23) 8. Walkin' on the Edge(3:32) 9. I Can See the Wind(4:06) 10. I Love the Music(4:22)

The 1981 Columbia compilation album "The Best Of Dave Mason" was a ten-track disc that included the four Mason singles which had hit the upper half of the charts in 1977 and '78--"So High (Rock Me Baby And Roll Me Away)," "We Just Disagree," "Let It Go, Let It Flow," and "Will You Still Love Ue Tomorrow"--plus some of Mason's better known album cuts from his Columbia albums and live versions of his older hits "Only You Know And I Know" and "Feelin' Alright?" Of course, the more familiar recordings of those songs, and a few other tracks that arguably should have been part of a comprehensive Mason best-of were owned by other companies, so this album did not live up to its name

Tracks: 1. Let It Go, Let It Flow 3. So High 4. Show Me Some Affection 5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow 6. All Along the Watchtower 7. We Just Disagree 8. Paralyzed 9. Every Woman 10. Only You Know & I Know 11. Feelin' Alright

Tracks: 1. Paralyzed 2. You're a Friend of Mine 3. I'm Missing You 4. Talk to Me 5. Gotta Be on My Way 6. Save Me 7. Life is a Ladder 8. Trying to Get Back to You 9. Get It Right 10. Old Crest on a New Wave

Tracks: 1. Only You Know And I Know 2. Pearly Queen 3. Just A Song 4. World In Changes 5. Sad And Deep As You 6. Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave 7. Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving 8. Headkeeper 9. Waiting On You 10. Feelin' Alright

The third time around in constructing a Dave Mason compilation, Blue Thumb Records (which had been acquired by ABC Records, and which in turn would be swallowed by MCA Records) finally made a worthy selection of its cache of Dave Mason recordings from 1970-71. "The Very Best Of Dave Mason" was a ten-track album collecting the most memorable songs from "Alone Together"--"Only You Know And I Know," "Sad And Deep As You," and "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave"--and live performances of such well-known Traffic songs as "Feelin' Alright?" and "Pearly Queen." While the label was still to be criticized for endlessly repackaging Mason recordings, at least this one was done right

Tracks: 1. Only You Know And I Know 2. Pearly Queen 3. Just A Song 4. World In Changes 5. Sad And Deep As You 6. Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave 7. Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving 8. Headkeeper 9. Waiting On You 10. Feelin' Alright

Dave Mason followed the success of "Let It Flow" with an album of songs arranged in a manner similar to the folk-pop hits from that he had recently enjoyed, notably "We Just Disagree." So, there was lots of 12-string acoustic guitar strumming and tight choral parts, and Jerry Williams came in to try to write some of the same kind of material. But nothing here quite clicked in the same way, though there was a pleasant cover of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" that scraped into the Top 40. ~ William Ruhlmann -- William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide

Tracks: 1. Don't It Make You Wonder 2. Searchin' for a Feeling 3. All Gotta Go 4. Warm and Tender Love 5. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow 6. Share Your Love 7. Bird on the Wind 8. So Good to Be Home 9. Words 10. No Doubt About It

On "Let It Flow," Mason delivered a super-slick bid for radio-friendly pop. He succeeded with three hits, "So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away)," "Let It Go, Let It Flow," and the richly harmonic "We Just Disagree." ~ Rick Clark -- Rick Clark, All-Music Guide SONY 7464 34680 4

Tracks : 1. So High (Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away) 2. We Just Disagree 3. Mystic Traveler 4. Spend Your Life with Me 5. Takin' the Time to Find 6. Let It Go, Let It Flow 7. Then It's Alright 8. Seasons 9. You Just Have to Wait Now 10. What Do We Got Here?

Through relentless touring in the mid-1970s, Dave Mason built up a concert audience that didn't necessarily translate into a record-buying audience, and this double-live album, released at a time when double-live albums were all the rage (remember "Frampton Comes Alive"?), was intended to address that problem. (Jim Krueger even contributed some Frampton-style "voicebox" guitar to "Goin' Down Slow.") It did demonstrate that Mason had a tight touring band and a repertoire of rock 'n' roll standards to draw from, as well as such interesting acquisitions as the Eagles' "Take It To The Limit" and the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin '," and while it didn't achieve the career breakthrough

Tracks :  1. Feelin' Alright (6:21) 2. Pearly Queen (3:41) 3. Show Me Some Affection(4:36) 4. All Along the Watchtower [live] (4:46) 5. Take It to the Limit(3:34) 6. Give Me a Reason (4:12) 7. Sad and Deep as You(3:12) 8. Every Woman (2:36) 9. World in Changes (5:25) 10. Goin' Down Slow (6:43) 11. Look at You, Look at Me (12:50) 12. Only You and I Know(4:45) 13. Bring It on Home to Me(5:05) 14. Gimme Some Lovin'(8:14)

Dave Mason's relentless touring and recording schedule may have been draining his creativity at this point, but "Split Coconut" was a drop-off from his first two Columbia albums, the songs seemingly thrown together and recorded quickly. Mason enlisted strong vocal assistance from Graham Nash and David Crosby and the Manhattan Transfer. But he had set a higher songwriting standard for himself than he was meeting here. (Originally released by Columbia Records as Columbia 33698, "Split Coconut" was reissued on CD by One Way Records as One Way 26079 on September 26, 1995.) ~ William Ruhlmann -- William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide ONE WAY RECORDS 7676 26079 2

Tracks : 1. Split Coconut 2. Crying, Waiting & Hoping 3. You Can Lose It 4. She's a Friend 5. Save Your Love 6. Give Me a Reason Why 7. Two Guitar Lovers 8. Sweet Music 9. Long Lost Friend

Blue Thumb Records, Dave Mason's former employer, continued to annoy him in 1975 by releasing yet another compilation. (Hint: The Blue Thumb ripoff albums always feature cover pictures of Mason with his eyes closed, perhaps in acknowledgement that he didn't approve them.) "Dave Mason At His Best" was the same as the 1974 Blue Thumb album "The Best Of Dave Mason" except that "Walk To The Point" had been replaced as the Side B lead-off track by "Headkeeper" and the version of "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving" was the live take from the "Headkeeper" LP instead of the studio version from "Alone Together." There oughta be a law. (Originally released by Blue Thumb Records as Blue Thumb 880, "Dave Mason At His Best" was reissued

Using his touring band, which included keyboard player Mike Finnigan and guitarist Jim Krueger, Dave Mason turned in a strong pop-rock collection on his second, self-titled Columbia album. "Show Me Some Affection" was one of those songs that should have been a hit single, Mason recut a fuller version of "Every Woman," originally heard on "It's Like You Never Left," and the album also included Mason's version of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower," in an arrangement patterned after the one by Jimi Hendrix, on which Mason had played six years earlier. (Originally released by Columbia Records as Columbia 33096, "Dave Mason" was reissued on CD by One Way Records as One Way 26080 on October 31, 1995.) ~ William Ru

Tracks : 1. Show Me Some Affection 2. Get Ahold On Love 3. Every Woman 4. It Can't Make Any Difference To Me 5. All Along the Watchtower 6. Bring It One Home To Me 7. Harmony & Melody 8. Relation Ships 9. You Can't Take It When You Go

The 1974 Blue Thumb compilation album "The Best Of Dave Mason" was a nine-track LP that culled four songs from "Alone Together," including "Only You Know And I Know" and "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave," two from "Dave Mason & Cass Elliot," and three from "Headkeeper," an album Mason disavowed. This was not the best selection that could have been made from the Blue Thumb material, but, in the wake of its dispute with Mason, the label seems to have just wanted to get something out onto the market. This was the first of three compilations they would release, apparently with no goal other than to confuse record buyers and distract attention from Mason's new releases on Columbia. (Originally released by Blue Thumb)

After a protracted legal battle with Blue Thumb Records, Dave Mason finally signed to Columbia and released the hopefully titled "It's Like You Never Left," his first new studio solo album in more than three years. Mason received prominent vocal assistance from Graham Nash, who helped turn tracks like "Every Woman" into singers' showcases. (Other guests included Stevie Wonder and George Harrison.) The songs had all the catchiness, but not as much of the individual flavor of Mason's best work. And the modest commercial acceptance the album enjoyed made it apparent that he would have to rebuild some career momentum. (Originally released by Columbia Records as Columbia 31721

Tracks : 1. Baby... Please 2. Every Woman 3. If You've Got Love 4. Maybe 5. Head Keeper 6. Misty Morning Stranger 7. Silent Partner 8. Side Tracked 9. Lonely One 10. It's Like You Never Left

As the dispute between Dave Mason and Blue Thumb Records continued, the label went back to the Mason concert they had recorded at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and used to fill up the second side of "Headkeeper" the previous year, and, again without Mason's approval, released this live album, which repeated two of the songs from "Headkeeper." Also included were live versions of "Alone Together" songs like "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave," "Only You And I Know" (sic) and "Sad And Deep As You." It was a decent gig, but the circumstances made it a dubious record release. (Originally released on Blue Thumb Records as Blue Thumb 54, "Dave Mason Is Alive!" was reissued by MCA Records as MCA 713.) ~

Tracks : 1. Walk to the Point 2. Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave 3. Look at You Look at Me 4. Only You and I Know 5. Sad and Deep as You 6. Just a Song 7. Feelin' Alright

Dave Mason's solo career, which had started so promisingly with "Alone Together" in 1970 and taken an odd, but pleasant detour with "Dave Mason & Cass Elliot" in 1971, hit a speed bump in 1972, when he entered into a dispute with his record label, Blue Thumb during preparations for a new album. As a result, Blue Thumb put together the half-a-studio-album Mason had completed with half of a live album and issued the consumer-confusing "Headkeeper," which Mason denounced publicly and asked fans not to buy! Heard today, it's still a confusing album, though the first five tracks are enjoyable music in the manner of "Alone Together" and the last five are well-performed concert versions of such favorites as "Feelin' Alright"

Tracks : 1. To Be Free 2. In My Mind 3. Here We Go Again 4. Heartache, a Shadow, a Lifetime 5. Headkeeper 6. Pearly Queen 7. Just a Song 8. World in Changes 9. Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving 10. Feelin' Alright

Dave Mason's surprising, eight-months-later followup to his breakthrough solo debut "Alone Together" was what turned out to be a one-off duo set with former Mamas & Papas singer Cass Elliot. For the most part, it consisted of Mason originals on which Mason sang lead and Elliot sang harmony, though Elliot did get a couple of leads. It was catchy material, if not as catchy as the songs on "Alone Together," and the team had definite commercial possibilities that went unexplored when the act dissolved as quickly as it had formed. (Originally released by Blue Thumb Records as Blue Thumb 8825, "Dave Mason & Cass Elliot" was reissued on CD in 1989 by MCA Records as MCA 31340.) ~ William Ruhlmann

Tracks : 1. Walk to the Point 2. On and On 3. To Be Free 4. Here We Go Again 5. Pleasing You 6. Sit and Wonder 7. Something to Make You Happy 8. Too Much Truth, Too Much Love 9. Next to You 10. Glittering Facade

Mason's debut solo album remains his best effort, due to well-crafted tracks like the hit "Only You Know & I Know" and an appealing easy-going rock sound that presents a nice blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation. ~ Rick Clark -- Rick Clark, All-Music Guide UNI/MCA 7674 31170 2

Tracks : 1. Only You Know And I Know 2. Can't Stop Worrying 3. Waiting On You 4. Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave 5. World In Changes 6. Sad And Deep As You 7. Just A Song 8. Look At You, Look At Me

Recorded with Eric Clapton, "On Tour" features Delaney & Bonnie's blend of country, rock, blues, and gospel. It includes "I'm Coming Home." ~ Kenneth M. Cassidy -- Kenneth M. Cassidy, All-Music Guide WEA/ATLANTIC 7567 33326 4

This fine live effort revealed Traffic as a seven-man touring unit, a precursor to their upcoming studio directions. On board for this outing were percussionist Reebop Kwaku Baah, drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Rick Grech, and Dave Mason, who briefly rejoined Winwood, Capaldi, and Wood for the tour. A revamped version of the Spencer Davis classic "Gimmie Some Lovin' (Part One)" became a moderate hit (number 68). ~ Rick Clark -- Rick Clark, All-Music Guide PGD/POLYGRAM POP/JAZZ 4228 42417 4

Tracks : 1. Medicated Goo (3:21) 2. Sad and Deep as You(3:23) 3. Forty Thousand Headmen(5:52) 4. Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave (5:29) 5. Dear Mr.Fantasy (10:32) 6. Gimme Some Lovin' (8:46)

It's songs like "Feelin' Alright," "Pearly Queen," "You Can All Join In," "Vagabond Virgin," and "40,000 Headmen" that make Traffic's self-titled second effort a classic. Although not quite as trippy as their debut, most of the sonic observations mentioned for "Mr. Fantasy" apply here. ~ Rick Clark -- Rick Clark, All-Music Guide PGD/POLYGRAM POP/JAZZ 4228 42590 4

Tracks : 1. You Can All Join In(3:34) 2. Pearly Queen (4:20) 3. Don't Be Sad (3:24) 4. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring (3:11) 5. Feeling Alright (4:16) 6. Vagabond Virgin (5:21) 7. Fourty Thousand Headmen(3:15) 8. Cryin' to Be Heard(5:14) 9. No Time to Live (5:10) 10. Means to an End (2:39)

Tracks : 1. Heaven is in Your Mind 2. Berkshire Poppies 3. House for Everyone 4. No Face, No Name, No Number 5. Dear Mr. Fantasy 6. Dealer 7. Utterly Simple 8. Coloured Rain 9. Hope I Never Find Me There 10. Giving to You

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