Happy Birthday, Dave Mason! The legendary musician turns 77 today and, in addition to his fine work in Traffic and Fleetwood Mac, not to mention his SIX decade solo career and songs like his “Feelin’ Alright” being a hit for Joe Cocker, he’s guested on a lot of fantastic recordings! Here are 9 examples where he added the perfect touch to some of our favorite classic rock songs, a few of which may surprise you:
1. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
It was allegedly at a party Mason invited his friend Jimi Hendrix to attend that Jimi first heard Dylan’s version. It wasn’t long before Hendrix laid it down for Electric Ladyland, with Mason playing an acoustic guitar part, and the Stones’ Brian Jones hitting the opening percussion.
2. Motel Shot - Delaney And Bonie
In 1970, Delaney And Bonnie released a standalone single of Mason’s, “Only You Know And I Know,” which I LOVE! A year later, Mason was one of the guest musicians on the then-married duo’s album Motel Shot. As you’ll soon read, Mason would work with their daughter later on.
3. Listen To What The Man Said - Wings
Dave told me the story of recording this song in New Orleans with Wings, in a 2012 conversation he and I had:
4. Thorofare Gap - Stephen Stills
Mason appears on three tracks on Stills’ 1978 Rock/Disco album, including a nice cover of “Midnight Rider.”
5. Roll It Over - Derek And The Dominos
Released as a standalone b-side to “Tell the Truth,” that’s Dave Mason assisting the band on guitar.
6. All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
Dave told me a funny story about his involvement on George Harrison’s landmark release:
7. Immigration Man - David Crosby and Graham Nash
There’s some real nice guitar work on this track from Crosby/Nash, courtesy of Dave Mason!
8. No Show Tonight - Phoebe Snow
Phoebe is one of my favorite vocalists of all time, and I was happy to know Mason plays on this funky track from Snow’s self-titled debut, the same album that features her gorgeous “Poetry Man.”
9. Only You Know Aad I Know (live) - Fleetwood Mac
I had to include this, just to say Fleetwood Mac covered this song! Of course, Mason was a member of the band at the time. and I personally think he brought back some of their bluesy sound while he was with them. Also, it was nice to see the Delaney and Bonnie lineage here as their daughter Bekka Bramlett was a Fleetwood Mac member at the time as well.
