ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER AND ICONIC MUSICIAN DAVE MASON RELEASES LONG-AWAITED NEW ALBUM 26 Letters and 12 Notes — One of the most critically acclaimed musicians to date and a co-founder of — rock super-group Traffic, sing... more »er/songwriter/guitarist Dave Mason has finalized his most personal
effort in years with the release of 26 Letters and 12 Notes. The album has been six years in the making and was self-produced by
Mason and recorded in his California home studio. A soulful blend of Mason s rock and blues
influences, the album contains 12 tracks all of which feature Mason s singing and guitar
handiwork. The album will be sold through digital outlets and retail outlets nationwide from Out
The Box Records.
The album was self produced by Mason with help from Mark & Brian Pastoria (Harmonie Park),
Ron & Howard Albert (Miami Audio Vision), Ted Perlman, Tre Perry, and Phil Bonanno. The
title, 26 Letters and 12 Notes, refers to the number of letters in the alphabet and the number of
notes involved in western music. Mason feels a great sense of confidence in this album and
calls it what he believes to be his best work yet. He says, For me, I think it is probably one of
the better albums I ve ever done and I think I m probably at the height of my vocal abilities right
now.
In 1967, English musician Dave Mason first found fame with the renowned rock group Traffic,
the band with which he penned his classic hit Feelin Alright. That was just the beginning of a
musical journey that would span four decades and countless successes. Throughout his 40 year
career, Mason has played with some of the most popular musicians of his era including Jimi
Hendrix, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac
and Mama Cass Elliot. Mason is most well known for the hit single Feelin Alright , which he
recorded with Traffic in 1968. In 1969, Mason headed to the USA to embark upon a solo career
which resulted in his increasing rise to stardom and the popular hits Only You Know And I
Know And We Just Disagree along with Every Woman, from the platinum albums Alone
Together and Let It Flow. Let It Flow, has gone multi-platinum in its time and We Just
Disagree, which is featured on this album was a top-ten single.
The new album contains twelve new tracks, including Good 2 U , Let Me Go , How Do I Get
to Heaven (featuring Willie Nelson on guitar), One Day , Ain t Your Legs Tired Baby , Pink
Lipstick , Passing Thru The Flame , You re Standing In My Light , That s Love (featuring
Shelia E), El Toro , World of Hunger and Full Circle and Then . These new tracks are
classic Dave mixing soulful vocals and expert guitar handiwork. Dave describes the album as
an eclectic blend of old classic rock with blues-tinged rhythm.
Dave and his band, which consists of, Gerald Johnson (bass), John Sambataro (guitar), Alvino
Bennett (drums) and Bill Mason (Keyboard), continue to travel and perform anywhere from 80-
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER AND ICONIC MUSICIAN DAVE MASON RELEASES LONG-AWAITED NEW ALBUM 26 Letters and 12 Notes
One of the most critically acclaimed musicians to date and a co-founder of
rock super-group Traffic, singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Mason has finalized his most personal
effort in years with the release of 26 Letters and 12 Notes. The album has been six years in the making and was self-produced by
Mason and recorded in his California home studio. A soulful blend of Mason s rock and blues
influences, the album contains 12 tracks all of which feature Mason s singing and guitar
handiwork. The album will be sold through digital outlets and retail outlets nationwide from Out
The Box Records.
The album was self produced by Mason with help from Mark & Brian Pastoria (Harmonie Park),
Ron & Howard Albert (Miami Audio Vision), Ted Perlman, Tre Perry, and Phil Bonanno. The
title, 26 Letters and 12 Notes, refers to the number of letters in the alphabet and the number of
notes involved in western music. Mason feels a great sense of confidence in this album and
calls it what he believes to be his best work yet. He says, For me, I think it is probably one of
the better albums I ve ever done and I think I m probably at the height of my vocal abilities right
now.
In 1967, English musician Dave Mason first found fame with the renowned rock group Traffic,
the band with which he penned his classic hit Feelin Alright. That was just the beginning of a
musical journey that would span four decades and countless successes. Throughout his 40 year
career, Mason has played with some of the most popular musicians of his era including Jimi
Hendrix, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac
and Mama Cass Elliot. Mason is most well known for the hit single Feelin Alright , which he
recorded with Traffic in 1968. In 1969, Mason headed to the USA to embark upon a solo career
which resulted in his increasing rise to stardom and the popular hits Only You Know And I
Know And We Just Disagree along with Every Woman, from the platinum albums Alone
Together and Let It Flow. Let It Flow, has gone multi-platinum in its time and We Just
Disagree, which is featured on this album was a top-ten single.
The new album contains twelve new tracks, including Good 2 U , Let Me Go , How Do I Get
to Heaven (featuring Willie Nelson on guitar), One Day , Ain t Your Legs Tired Baby , Pink
Lipstick , Passing Thru The Flame , You re Standing In My Light , That s Love (featuring
Shelia E), El Toro , World of Hunger and Full Circle and Then . These new tracks are
classic Dave mixing soulful vocals and expert guitar handiwork. Dave describes the album as
an eclectic blend of old classic rock with blues-tinged rhythm.
Dave and his band, which consists of, Gerald Johnson (bass), John Sambataro (guitar), Alvino
Bennett (drums) and Bill Mason (Keyboard), continue to travel and perform anywhere from 80-
100 shows annually.
Anthony Accordino | Massapequa Park, New York United States | 10/15/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
PHEW!
M. Gredinger | Wayland, MA | 10/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Daveheads Rejoice!
George Cervenka | 10/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Classic Dave Mason for the 2000's
C. Bettinson | 10/15/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Dave's awesome new cd
Michael J. Grasso | 10/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."