Alone Together

Dave Mason's first solo album, Alone Together, may have been significant for its album art at the time, but the music stands up well today, too. It is likely one of the most inventive album packages EVER…so much so that it has hung in my office for more than two decades, original multi-colored album included. It is designed to hang on the wall with the record in a pouch for easy storage. The one-dimensional CD cover (seen when you clicked over to read the review) is merely the bottom portion of the original outside cover. When folded out, the original has a cut out of Mason in top hat at the top melting into the picture you see at the bottom. On the inside, it is the sun in sequence, top to bottom melting into a different photo of Mason in top hat with the record sitting in front of him in the pouch.

You read the review for the music and, as stated earlier, it holds up well today. Dave Mason, as a member of Traffic, delivered some bold strokes with "Feelin' Alright", "Hole In My Shoe", "Utterly Simple", "You Can Join In", and "Vagabound Virgin" (with Jim Capaldi). Mason lasted from the inception of Traffic in 1967 until its "Last Exit" LP in 1969. In 1970, he struck out on his own with Alone Together.

The sum is better than the parts…

While it can be argued that Mason doesn't have the most engaging voice or delivery, and his wit and turn of phrase can be awkward, but it would be challenging to dispute the gems in this first attempt. "Waitin' On You" is about as bouncy and engaging as Mason can be, utilizing his players and singers to move the music and fill the gaps to make this a memorable tune. The philosophical side of Mason, "Sad And Deep As You" , "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave", "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving", "World In Changes" and "Look At You, Look At Me" are so introspective and painful they would be considered folk songs if delivered by Stan Rogers or Utah Phillips.

Then, there was the Top 40 hit that fueled Mason's career in the 1970s: "Only You Know And I Know". It's not quite as slick as "Waitin' On You" but the masses spoke and Dave Mason would be on the map whether he played as a solo gig, with Delany & Bonnie and Friends, or acted as sideman for George Harrison on "All Things Must Past" and Rolling Stones on "Beggars Banquet" or played an ill-fated stint with Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s.

Only you know and I know…along with millions of our friends!