Ignored             Obscured              Restored

Rock stars from the ’60s and ’70s classic rock era are dropping like flies these days.  Some of these passings hit me hard; usually, I can see it coming.  But when I learned this week that Dave Mason died on April 19, I was surprised by how deeply it affected me.

I’ve long been a fan of Traffic, and it’s sobering to realize that only Steve Winwood remains from the original quartet.  I followed Mason not only through Traffic, but also in his work as a sideman and across his solo career.  I won’t attempt a full recap of his accomplishments here; the recent obituary in The New York Times does that far better than I could.

New York Times – Dave Mason obituary

To honor Mason in today’s SotW, I’ve chosen “Only You Know and I Know” from his debut solo album Alone Together, memorably released on collectible marble vinyl on the Blue Thumb label.

“Only You Know and I Know” was later popularized by Delaney & Bonnie, who covered it on their 1971 album D&B Together — a record Mason himself played on, alongside an impressive roster that included Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, and Leon Russell, among others.

The track has a driving yet laid-back feel, pairing a catchy pop melody with a loose, rolling groove.  It gallops along on a sturdy bass line and shuffle beat, accented by Mason’s distinctive, fluid guitar lines.

Although Mason is credited with writing a number of rock classics — most notably the oft covered Traffic track “Feelin’ Alright” – “Only You Know and I Know” may well stand as his true masterpiece.

Enjoy… until next week.