DAVE MASON – SAN FRANCISCO 1975 FM REEL (2 CD-R)

Description

Cow Palace, Daly City, CA, USA 31st December 1975 STEREO SBD

　As I mentioned in my review of “HEMPSTEAD 1975 FM REEL MASTER,” which is being released this week, Mason made the most of live radio broadcasts in 1975, even having his New Year’s Eve concert broadcast live.

　This is another fantastic stereo soundboard recording, and like Hemstead, you can fully enjoy the raw and unpolished texture that only a radio broadcast can offer. Moreover, unlike Hemstead, which was broadcast before the release of the album ‘SPLIT COCONUT’, this was broadcast after the release.

　And above all, Mike Finnegan returned to keyboards, completing the golden ‘CERTIFIED LIVE’ formation. This was a record of the stage performance during the period when the foundation for their ascent to those heights was laid.

　The timing is absolutely perfect, as it falls on New Year’s Eve, and with the added festive element of the new year marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States, this broadcast offers an exceptionally high-energy live performance in the finest stereo soundboard recording.

　Furthermore, the setlist was completely different from both “CERTIFIED LIVE” and “HEMPSTEAD 1975 FM REEL MASTER,” which was released this week. Surprisingly, this live performance featured more early repertoire than songs from the recently released album “SPLIT COCONUT,” which resulted in an explosive and exciting show.

　In particular, “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave” from their first album “ALONE TOGETHER” is a fantastic repertoire piece that can’t be heard anywhere else, and the performance is superb. And yet, “Every Woman” is still arranged with a band, which is a bit different from “CERTIFIED LIVE”.

　In other words, while Finnegan had joined and the band was moving towards the “CERTIFIED LIVE” style, there are still many instances of laid-back, less refined playing. Rather, the radio broadcast serves as a superb bridge between the album and Hemstead’s radio show.

　Finnegan’s distinctive organ playing adds a wonderful touch throughout, another benefit of this stereo soundboard recording. This truly feels like a preview of a glorious live album.

　This 1975 stereo soundboard album captures a high-energy live performance held on New Year’s Eve, a truly happy occasion, in the best possible sound quality. The atmosphere is so different from the Hemstead album released at the same time in July, which is a testament to their peak period!

Disc:1 (57:08)
1. DJ Intro
2. Feelin’ Alright
3. Watitin’ On You
4. Split Coconut
5. Show Me Some Affection
6. World In Changes
7. Every Woman
8. Look At You, Look At Me
9. Headkeeper

Disc:2 (35:12)
1. Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave
2. All Along The Watchtower
3. Gimmee Some Lovin’
4. Bring It On Home To Me
5. Only You Know And I Know
6. DJ Outro

Dave Mason – Guitar & Vocal
Mike Finnigan – Keyboards
Gerald Johnson – Bass
Jim Krueger – Guitar
Rick Jaeger – Drum