Dave Mason/MA, USA 1974

Dave Mason in 1974 was about to release “DAVE MASON,” which heralded the golden age of his solo career. Steve Hopkins recording that conveys the scene is now available. The legendary taper recorded “March 2, 1974 Boston performance.” This is the best audience recording. Speaking of the Hopkins Collection, masterpieces such as PINK FLOYD, EL&P, THE BAND, and Eric Clapton have received great acclaim, but this work is the Dave Mason edition. Moreover, the original master who recorded the recording was digitally transferred by the person himself. It’s a two-disc set packed with 100% pure Hopkins sound. Before we look at the quality, first of all, the position of the show. Speaking of 1974, it was also the year that “DAVE MASON”, which became the first of four consecutive gold discs, was released, but in fact, this work was just before that. To understand this, let’s look back at the schedule at that time. ●1973・September 7th-9th: North America #1 (3 performances) [“IT’S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT” released on October 29th]・October 3rd-November 3rd: North America #2 (11 performances)・December 19th + 30th: North America #3 (2 performances) ●January 12th – March 9th, 1974: North America #4 (14 performances) ←★Coco★・May 29th + June 16th: North America #5 (2 performances) ・July 12-29: North America #6 (6 performances) [“DAVE MASON” released in October] ・October 11-December 17: North America #7 (33 performances) This is Dave Mason in 1973/1974. The number of performances is not exact as some records at the time are unclear, but I think you can understand the general flow of the album “IT’S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT”. Dave started a tour in the fall of 1973 and early 1974, and the Boston performance of this work was at the end of “North America #4”. It was a concert about half a year before “DAVE MASON”. This recording is a wonderful work that further enhances the fame of the master master Hopkins.Anyway, it is on, direct, and beautiful.Comparing it to a soundboard may itself be an insult to Hopkins recording. The strength of the core, the closeness, the sharpness of the edges, the fineness of the details…it’s so strong that you’d think it was an FM broadcast.There is a very slight sense of space in the vocals and snare sounds, but even that is the tone. It doesn’t feel like an audience recording at all.And the freshness.It’s natural because the original master was transferred, but it’s still vivid. There is no disturbance, and the sound check sounds are very realistic.There is a vintage feel due to the performance and recording equipment, but this does not mean that the sound quality is inferior, but it is just the sound of the equipment at the time. It’s an ultra-clear recording that makes you feel like you’re playing it right in front of your eyes.The sound is a full show that connects the traditional official works “DAVE MASON IS ALIVE” and “CERTIFIED LIVE.” Although it is a tour accompanying “IT’S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT”, the five members who have already created “DAVE MASON” are together, and it is similar to “CERTIFIED LIVE”. Here, let’s organize the set while comparing it with that “CERTIFIED LIVE”. ●TRAFFIC (2 songs)・Pearly Queen/Feelin’ Alright ●ALONE TOGETHER (6 songs)・World In Changes/Only You Know And I Know/Look At You Look At Me・Songs that cannot be heard on “CERTIFIED LIVE”: Can’ t Stop Worrying Can’t Stop Loving／Waitin’ On You／Just A Song ●IT’S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT (4 songs)・Every Woman・Songs that cannot be heard on “CERTIFIED LIVE”: The Lonely Ones／Baby…Please／ It’s Like You Never Left ●Others (3 songs) ・All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan) / Goin’ Down Slow (St. Louis Jimmy) / Gimme Some Lovin’ (THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP)… and so on. I am. While sprinkled with numbers from the TRAFFIC era and various covers, the core songs are “ALONE TOGETHER” and “IT’S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT.” Even though “Every Woman” is re-recorded in a band arrangement on “DAVE MASON”, it is played in the simple “IT’S LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT” version in this work. And the concentration is delicious because it is earlier than “CERTIFIED LIVE”. You can feel the remnants of “IS ALIVE” around “Just A Song”, but you can’t listen to the two official live songs together, “Can’t Stop Worrying Can’t Stop Loving”, “Waitin’ On You”, “The Lonely” Ones,” “Baby…Please,” and “It’s Like You Never Left” will also be showcased. And the performance that spins such a set is wonderful. As mentioned above, the ensemble, which includes members from the Golden Age such as Jim Krueger and Mike Finnegan, is a solid piece of fulfillment. You can enjoy the lively performance in every corner with the best Hopkins sound. His solo “IS ALIVE” and “CERTIFIED LIVE” were in the midst of success. This is a masterpiece live album where you can enjoy the 1974 stage that connects the interval with the best sound by master Steve Hopkins. One of the World Heritage-class recordings created by the culture of audience recording. Live at Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA, USA 2nd March 1974 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(46:55) 1. Intro 2. Can’t Stop Worrying Can’t Stop Loving 3. World In Changes 4. Every Woman 5. Intro 6. Waitin’ On You 7. All Along The Watchtower 8. Pearly Queen 9. The Lonely Ones 10. Goin’ Down Slow 11. Just A Song Disc 2(45:07) 1. Baby…Please 2. Only You Know And I Know 3. Look At You Look At Me 4. Feelin’ Alright 5. Gimme Some Lovin’ 6. Ovation & Tuning 7. It’s Like You Never Left Dave Mason – guitar, vocals Jim Kreuger – guitar Mike Finnegan – keyboard Bob Glaub – bass Rick Jaeger – drums