“FEELIN’ ALRIGHT”……. was an understatement for the sold out crowd at The Kent Stage for Dave Mason’s “Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam 2024”. It was the first show of his new tour. I have had the chance to see former Traffic, Derek and the Dominos, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, and, Ringo Starr’s All Star Band (among others.) member, Dave Mason many times over the years but the group he assembled for this tour put the “magic” back into the 90 plus minute set. Vanilla Fudge founder Mark Stein on keyboards (He took over lead vocals for “You Keep Me Hangin On”), Ray Cardwell on bass, Martin Fera on drums, and Johnne Sambataro on lead guitar, were just simply phenomenal and even had Dave Mason “wowing” at their talent.
They had Dave Mason playing at his best and the crowd rewarded the band with multiple standing ovations. They played songs from all of Dave’s various bands and solo career and even a song from Vanilla Fudge too. The “Traffic Jam” emanating from the stage had all of the fans enjoying being lucky enough to hear it.
Along with all of the incredible music from the band, Dave Mason also told stories from his entire career which just made the show even more “magic”. Then just before Dave Mason and the band did their “bow”, after playing “Feelin Alright”, Dave Mason told his fans that he would be out to meet them after the show and that he did! A rarity these days.
At the end every person in attendance had a smile on their face and were just overwhelmed with the show they had just witnessed, me included.
