Feeling Alright

If you can't make it out to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, talking to Dave Mason is the next best thing. Sure, he's a founding member (along with Steve Winwood) of that legendary band of folk-funk-soul brothers, Traffic. But it's sometimes easy to forget that in the late '60s and early '70s, Mason was the Zelig of rock stars. In different guises, poses, with changing facial hair, he pops up in countless musical snapshots alongside Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Brian Jones and 'Mama' Cass Elliott.

Mason brings his bags of uber-hooky songs and lyrical guitar playing to The Fairfield Theater Company on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"One of the things I think that helped me is, pretty early on, I discovered I have broad tastes," said Mason, whose once-pronounced English accent has morphed into that of a California surfer dude since moving to the West Coast years ago."When I first began, like a lot of English guys, I wanted to be the best blues guitarist ever. But that changed. I soon realized I'm pretty eclectic. Basically, I'm a pop tunesmith. I'm all about the songs."

And fine songs they are.

Perhaps the best known is "Feeling Alright?" which Traffic did a wry, folky version of, and, of course, Joe Cocker retooled as a funky, big band song and worldwide hit. Mason is also the man behind "You Can All Join In," "Hole In My Shoe," and "Only You Know And I Know," a big hit for Delaney and Bonnie.

As a singer, he took "We Just Disagree," a deceptively-cheery breakup song penned by Jim Krueger, into the Top Ten.

As amazing as his songs are, Mason's gifts as guitarist and session man are equally impressive. And, if you're a rock history geek, you could listen to him dish all day. Take his vignette about the sessions for Jimi Hendrix's version of "All Along The Watchtower." Just in a day's work for Mason.

"We knocked the basic tracks off for that one in a few hours in Manhattan. I played acoustic guitar, Jimi played bass and Mitch Mitchell played drums. Jimi wasn't getting on with (Hendrix bandmate) Noel Redding too well at the time and he wanted me to join the group and play bass. After we cut the basic tracks, Jimi laid down all the guitar parts. Pretty simple, really."

I mention that (then Rolling Stone) Brian Jones apparently came in at one point and tried to add piano on 'Watchtower,' but that he didn't play the instrument too well.

"Oh, Brian couldn't play anything too well," said Mason, shattering years of well-constructed rock myth.

Then there's the little matter of teaching George Harrison how to play slide guitar.

Come again?

"Oh, that's all attested to in print, now. Before he died, George told a reporter that I got him started on slide, which is true. He and I were tagging along with Delaney and Bonnie and Eric Clapton. We all appear on their live album, as you might know. Right before a number, George asked me, 'What the hell should I play on this?' I showed him a very simple riff with a slide on my finger. And said, 'You can do that, can't you?' He pulled it off and then, as you know, became very proficient in this area."

There are asides about playing guitar and shehani (a Moroccan wind instrument) on The Stones' "Street Fighting Man," being asked to join Derek And The Dominos and then, the inevitable questions about Steve Winwood and Traffic, one of the most diverse and exciting bands of the '60s. Mason helped formed the band; then, after their debut, he split.

Or did he?

"No, I was kicked out," Mason said, calmly. "Why? They said at the time that they wanted to go in a different direction, musically. But I think I got the boot because my songs were the ones getting on the radio and Steve was unhappy about that. It's sad. He hasn't spoken to me in years. I don't really know why."

Although he plays scores of dates each year to his loyal following, Mason is dealing with the same obstacles plaguing most of his generation. He's made some fine records, including one from two years ago, "26 Letters-12 Notes," but he can't get them promoted, much less played. And he thinks that's it for him and the recording industry.

"I watched the Black Eyed Peas at the Super Bowl show, recently and I had a sort of epiphany," said Mason, evenly. "They were like an aerobics group. And I thought, 'What am I doing trying to compete with this?' So, I don't think I'm going to make another record. In a few weeks, I'm going to put all my stuff up for free on my website. People will enjoy it and it'll be good promotion for my gigs."

He doesn't say it like a command, but it's okay to take it as one. If you know the man's work, you don't need any recommendations to go see him. But still, he may not be making any more records. So, if you need another reason to see Dave Mason live? Well, this is as good as any.

INFO: Dave Mason will be at The Fairfield Theater Company, 70 Sanford St. in downtown Fairfield, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are $67; members save $10.Shows are at 8 p.m. Tuesday; 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. For information, call 203-259-1036. For Dave Mason's music, go to www.dave-mason.com