Customer Reviews

Rockfish Crossing

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

 

 

When I heard that Rockfish and Bareback Rider were being released on CD I immediately placed an order, and just listened to RC. Some terms come to mind when thinking of MP: dueling banjo and fiddle, slide guitar, hauntingly sad vocals, social issues, country blues, electric piano, songs of the downtrodden, and the overwhelming urge to sing along. RC has all these elements, and even has some romantic ballads thrown in for the masses, I suppose.

This is an album to love. Classic MP. You can see the emergence of the Talbot's crossover to the Christian music scene in "Better Find Jesus", though the music will appeal to everyone. There is a mixture of studio and live recordings here, an example of the latter being the medley of "Cripple Creek" and "Quit Kickin' My Dog Around." There is a side-slapping banjo/fiddle duet in "Breakin' Down", and a happy song of a poor "Hobo" with a guitar and a little money in the bank.

The best cut IMHO is "Were You There?", which is one of those MP protest/social tunes with beautiful vocals and melody. This is one of those songs that could have/should have made the national music scene but didn't.

For anyone who heard MP live back in the 70's, you'll love this album and the memories that it will bring back to you. For those of you who just know them by their recordings or (gasp) don't know them at all, perhaps you'll discover why this relatively unknown band from the golden age of 1965-1975 music inspired such intense devotion in its fans.

RAN ACROSS THIS ALBUM BACK IN 1972, ACTUALLY I HAD IT ON AN 8 TRACK TAPE. HAD BEEN BACK FROM VIETNAM FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS, SMOKING DOPE AND PLAYING LIKE A HIPPIE. FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CLEAN COUNTRY, BLENDED FOLK, COUNTRY ROCK STYLE OF MASON PROFIT. BELIEVE THESE GUYS WERE FROM IOWA. WELL, THEIR WONDERFUL STYLE, CRYSTAL CLEAR VOICES AND THAT DOWN HOME FEELING STARTED ME LIKING COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC ALSO. I AM SO PLEASE TO FIND THESE RE RELEASED CD'S. YOU WILL HAVE HOURS OF LISTENING PLEASURE WITH THE GROUP CALLED "MASON PROFIT".

This is some of the best music ever recorded! They're gone, but the music lives on. It's all clean and simple with harmonies that will move you. A little known band that was ahead of its time and to good to know it. Mason Proffit wrote songs with a message that transends time. If I could just find their cd with "The Balad of Eugene Pratt, I'd have everything they ever recoreded and be a happy man. A musician myself, I can only say this stuff is awesome!

For those who appreciate Mason Porffit, I consider this album, though not their very best, a fine peice of work, and a must-have for the collector. For those not too familiar with the group, they provide a good mixture of popular songs from way-back (You Win Again)with original pieces created by the group. Their original lyrics are a folky/country rock blend of provocative,haunting, and socially conscience statements that, much like Bob Dylan's work, continues to be meaningful in todays world.

Jesse, their take on "you win again" and their bluegrass breakdowns are all really worth a listen. They came out back in the Flying Burrito Bros days and Rockfish Crossing got played a lot. Pick your way through this and I'm sure you'll find something you'll want to keep. (I ignore the 'jesus' song)

Mason Proffit joins Buffalo Springfeild in testifying to the new document that taught us all we need to do more. More for the environment, more to dismantle the John Birch/NRA body politic, ..... more for the revolution. Mason Profitt reminded us we are not doing enough to challenge our corrupt government, unfair trials, neglect of Native American treaties, racism...then there was Jackson State and Kent State. Then Nixon (not to mention 'nam), Watergate. What have we learned?