Dave Mason Thrills Fans At SPAC

The Troy Record, June 12, 1972

(editor’s note – Isaac Hayes was originally scheduled for this date, but canceled all his summer dates)

(editor’s note – Todd Rundgren was the scheduled opener, but canceled due to a vehicle accident, apparently with his equipment truck)

Todd Rundgren fans have understandably gone home slightly dissatisfied from the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s third June special Sunday evening. Todd didn’t show. A car accident in New York was given as the reason.

Fortunately, for the 3,500 or so chilly tock fans who did attend, Rundgren was only half the show and his co-star for the evening, Dave Mason, made his presence known. Mason more than carried the evening and we expect Rundgren fans who weren’t already admirers of Mason as well went home as such.

Mason delivered one of the most musical rock shows we have heard at SPAC, due in large part to correct sound amplification which allowed singers and instrumental soloists to be heard and honestly judged. The overall sound was never deafening, as is often the case.

Mason’s group was a little unusual with three black female vocalists, the Pointer sisters, giving somewhat of a Motown sound, and a congo player named Rocky Dzidzornu adding an afro influence.

Mason himself played both electric and amplified acoustical guitar and played both exceptionally well. He did all of the vocals except for back-up work by the Pointer sisters and we found his voice most easy to listen to.

Mason approaches his music with a calm assurance which says “I don’t have to put on any act, just listen to me play, man.”

Mason opened with a Blast from the Past, That’ll Be The Day and closed with probably his best known song, Feelin Alright.

He had the audience with him from beginning and responded to wild applause with several encores which had Dzidzornu working over all four drums like there was no tomorrow.

Lonnie Turner was the bassist with Rick Jaeger on drums. Mark Jordan was superb on the keyboard instruments.

All SPAC rock concerts should be this good.

The Troy Record, May 22, 1972