Customer Reviews

26 Letters 12 Notes

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It has been a long nineteen years since classic rocker, singer song writer, Dave Mason has released a studio album. On this new cd, the rock n roll hall of famer does not disappoint, as the listener is treated to the vintage Dave Mason sound, chock full of great guitar playing, singing, and a nice collection of new songs. Some of the highlights here, include the rocking "Standing In My Light", the rockabilly tinged "Ain't Your Legs Tired Baby", and a wonderful ballad "How Do I get To Heaven", which could easily be a top 10 contemporary hit. My personnal favorite here is the tune "Passing Through The Flame", which sounds as though Mason had recorded it some 35 years ago during the "Alone Together" era. The song is all vintage Dave mason, full of great singing, melody and of course great musicianship. If I may quote Dave Mason, "Rock n Roll Is Not An Age, But An Attitude". He couldn't be more right, as this often underappreciated artist from rocks classic era, has proven with this release, that he still has game.

Originally titled Alone Together Again, his new CD would have to be pretty amazing to live up to his first masterpiece. Well, he nailed it. Production is a 10; his guitar, both on lead and acoustic are as rich in sound as ever, and his ecletic choices of style--blues, straight ahead rock, pop and R&B it's all there. My favorite is How do I get to Heaven, the song written by the late and great Jim Capaldi that was featured in the Barbara Walters special two years back about what heaven is like. Also great to see his bandmates and Sheila E in dynamic form. Dave, I saw you five times in the last 20 years, as recent as last year in the Boston area, and you truly do get better with time, vocally and instrumentally. A must have. Kudos!

Dave's long-awaited new CD is finally here, and it's an awe-inspiring effort sure to appeal to both older and newer fans. Dave's distinctive lead guitarwork is very much in the forefront here (he solos on every song) and his rich vocals alternate effortlessly between smooth and gritty. Check out the cool vocal phrasing on Pink Lipstick (in a fair and just world, a surefire hit single). Dave's musical influences are varied; you'll hear rock, blues, R&B, soul, funk, pop, and country infused throughout. There's also some really interesting production touches. Half the songs were either written or co-written by Dave; the other half highlight Dave's ability to pick great songs to fit his style. Here's hoping, with the music biz being what it is, that 26 Letters 12 Notes gets the widespread recognition it so obviously deserves.

I think it has been 21 years since Dave Mason released a new studio cd. In 1987 he released two cd's "Two Hearts, and "Some Assembly Required". Bu whether it has been 19 years or 21 years, that is way too long. I am a huge Dave Mason fan, and have been following him since the mid 70's. I believe he is the most under appreciated musician of all time. This cd is awesome and I am glad that it has been receiving great reviews from critics and fans. Dave has one of the greatest voices in Rock and his one of best guitartist of all time. All this cd needs is airplay and it could easily have a few top ten hits. It is always hard for me to pick favorites when it comes to Dave's music, but if I had to pick, I would say, "FullCircle and Then". That song should be song of the year, and earn Dave Vocalist of the year. Whether you are a fan of Dave or a new listener, this cd will not disappoint. Congratulations Dave on a great cd, and THANKS. Please don't make us wait this long again.

Finally, after a 19 year wait Dave Mason returns with a new cd release.
It's not that Dave hasn't been active, he just hasn't released a full cd of new material in a long time. Was it worth the wait? Yes it was. I've only listened to some of the songs once, others twice, because I just picked the cd up today, but here are my initial impressions: How Do I Get to Heaven is an instant classic and would do well on AC radio. Aint Your Legs Tired sees Dave ripping it up country style and would probably receive solid airplay from country radio outlets. Good2U is a bluesy number that features some delicious guitar and the distinctive backing vocals of Mike Finnegan, a longtime Mason collaborator. There's a little bit of everything on the cd, ballards, an instrumental, straight out rockers, and solid pop. Any Dave Mason fan will enjoy this new release that features Dave's rock solid vocal and guitar mastery. Welcome back Dave! Please don't make us wait 20 years again.

It's been a long time coming, but well worth the wait. That's what most folks will be saying after listening to Dave Mason's newest release. The guitar work and instrumentals are superb -- much to be expected from a Rock 'N Roll Hall of Famer. What's better than expected are Mason's vocals -- richer, cleaner, more varietal. This is an easy listening album, with several songs that could easily be among the most popular in America with the proper marketing. 'How Do I Get to Heaven?' is clearly the masterpiece of this set, but there's no deadspace on this CD. It's marvelous.

I remember a music critic once said that Traffic was a band with too much talent to burn. This is the album that made Dave Mason lives up to his potential. It's the follow-up to Alone Together that his fans have been waiting for. In some ways, it's sad that he has to spend so much time to come up with such a gem. On the other hand, he couldn't have written such mature lyrics after he made Alone Together.

I would have given it a 5-star rating. I couldn't because he's victimized by his legacy with Traffic. To deserve such perfection, some of the tunes can sorely do with Winwood's slash & burn keyboards and the penetrating drums of Capaldi who unfortunately passed away some time ago.

Still, on its own, this is probably one of this year's finer records even if you've never heard of Dave Mason. And that's saying a lot considering some of the mush that record companies have come up.

I am usally not too impressed with latter in life releases from old bands, most seem to loose their edge. On first listening of this cd I thought "well at least its not bad" but then I listened to it again and again and again and all I can say is Thanks Dave for putting out a cd that is true to your roots, wonderfully written, produced, and performed. I would put this on the highly recommended on anyones list. Dave Mason fans will want to add this to their collection. Very rarely does a cd come out that sounds better everytime you listen to it. A+, 5 stars, 10 out of 10, whatever way you rate things this one is great

Catchy hooks and a fresh sound. One Day is a great tune along with pink lipstick and Heaven.

This has to be the best new album I've heard in several years. Every track has something interesting to say, whether lyrically, musically or (usually) both. The vocals, playing and production are teriffic.

It's a sad reflection of the current state of the music biz that a guy this talented hasn't released an album of new material in more than a decade. All I can say is "please, Dave, keep putting out more great music like this."