Dave Mason / NY, USA 07.05.1975 Complete FM Reel Master Edition

This is a superb stereo soundboard recording capturing a scorching hot stage performance from 1975, right in the middle of Dave Mason’s peak before his passing. That year, he actively broadcast his live performances for promotional purposes, and after the release of the album “SPLIT COCONUT,” he went even further with live broadcasts. That was the now-famous album “FEELIN’ ALRIGHT.” However, what is being released this time is a fantastic radio broadcast from 1975, but six months earlier in New York, and two months before the release of “SPLIT COCONUT,” captured in perfect stereo soundboard format. At this point, the band members for what would later become Mason’s signature official album, “CERTIFIED LIVE,” were almost finalized, but the keyboardist was not the usual Mike Finnegan, but Mark Jordan, who had fully participated in the aforementioned “SPLIT COCONUT.” While it’s true that Finnegan returned after the album’s release, completing the lineup for “CERTIFIED LIVE,” this live performance is particularly valuable because it captures the band in “SPLIT COCONUT” mode in perfect stereo soundboard quality. In fact, the setlist and content are completely different from “CERTIFIED LIVE,” starting with an aggressive opening performance of the title track from an unreleased album. Moreover, it’s full of repertoire not included in “CERTIFIED LIVE.” In particular, the guitar battle between Mason and Jim Krueger explodes during “You Can All Join In” from their Traffic days. This alone is a fantastic moment where you can enjoy a different kind of performance than on “CERTIFIED LIVE.” The two also exchange solos in “Baby…Please.” After this, Mason increasingly entrusted the guitar solos to the technically superior Krueger, and indeed, “CERTIFIED LIVE” captures moments where Mason himself focuses on acoustic guitar and singing, but in terms of the interplay between the two guitars, this broadcast is incomparable. On the contrary, the solos exchanged between the two guitarists on “Save Your Love,” a new song released before the album’s launch, are breathtaking. Throughout the entire live performance, the edgy live sound shines through, offering a different kind of charm compared to the refined sound of “CERTIFIED LIVE.” Another appealing aspect is the laid-back, electric band arrangement of “Every Woman,” which was featured in a refined acoustic arrangement on the same album. In every respect, this live performance is completely different from “CERTIFIED LIVE.” Thus, while it captures Mason at their peak, just like “CERTIFIED LIVE,” this live performance just before the release of “SPLIT COCONUT” is so raw and intense that it almost seems like a different band altogether. Many fans will likely prefer this more laid-back performance—a truly superb stereo soundboard album! Calderone Concert Hall, Hempstead, NY, USA 5th July 1975 SBD WLIR-FM REEL MASTER Disc:1 (51:09) 1. Intro 2. Split Coconut 3. Waitin’ On You 4. Show Me Some Affection 5. You Can All Join In 6. Tuning 7. Crying Waiting Hoping 8. Every Woman 9. World In Changes 10. Band Introductions 11. Save Your Love 12. Talk Disc:2 (43:39) 1. Long Lost Friend 2. All Along The Watchtower 3. Only You Know And I Know 4. Baby…Please 5. Feelin’ Alright 6. Bring It On Home To Me 7. Outro SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Dave Mason – Guitar & Vocal Mark T. Jordan – Keyboards Gerald Johnson – Bass Jim Krueger – Guitar Rick Jaeger – Drum