Description

Description

Calderone Concert Hall, Hempstead, NY, USA 5th July 1975 SBD
WLIR-FM REEL MASTER

This superb stereo soundboard recording captures a scorching hot stage performance from 1975, right in the middle of Dave Mason’s peak, who sadly passed away last week. That year, he actively broadcast his live performances for promotional purposes, and after the release of his album “SPLIT COCONUT,” he went even further with live broadcasts. That was the legendary album “FEELIN’ ALRIGHT.”

However, the release this time is a fantastic radio broadcast that captures a live performance from New York six months earlier in 1975, and even two months before the release of ‘SPLIT COCONUT,’ in perfect stereo soundboard format.

At this point, the band members for what would later become Mason’s signature album, the official “CERTIFIED LIVE,” were mostly finalized, except for the keyboardist, who was not the usual Mike Finnegan, but Mark Jordan, who had fully participated in the earlier “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 were completely different from ‘CERTIFIED LIVE,’ starting off with a bold move by playing the title track from an unreleased album right from the opening. Moreover, the repertoire was full of songs 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 makes it a fantastic moment to enjoy a performance that is different from that on “CERTIFIED LIVE”.

In “Baby…Please,” the two guitarists’ solo exchanges were explosive. After this, Mason increasingly entrusted the guitar solos to Krueger, who was technically superior, and indeed, in “CERTIFIED LIVE,” there were scenes where he himself was focused on acoustic guitar and singing, but in terms of the interplay between the two guitarists, it doesn’t compare to this broadcast.

On the contrary, even in “Save Your Love,” a new song released before the album’s launch, the solos by the two guitarists were breathtaking. Throughout the entire live performance, the edgy live sound shone through, offering a different kind of charm compared to the more refined sound of “CERTIFIED LIVE.”

Another appealing aspect is that “Every Woman,” which was included on the same live album in a sophisticated acoustic arrangement, is performed here in a laid-back, electric band arrangement. In every respect, this live performance has a different sound from “CERTIFIED LIVE.”

Like “CERTIFIED LIVE,” this is a record from Mason’s peak period, yet it captures a raw and intensely passionate live performance that makes it seem like a completely different band—a live show just before the release of “SPLIT COCONUT.” In fact, many fans might even prefer this more laid-back performance—a superb stereo soundboard album!

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