Musical trends have come and gone through the years, but certain colors of American music still run through our sonic bloodstream, as was demonstrated Saturday Night in Thousand Oaks’ Performing Arts Center.
Introduced by father Malcom McDowell, guitarist and vocalist Beckett McDowell teamed up with guitarist/bangoist/mandolin man Jack Ryan for an opening set that mixed clever originals with Boomer themes from Van Morrison and Elvis Presley, setting the mood of melding nostalgia with adventure.
In the wake of having written his autobiography, Rock Hall of Famer Dave Mason gave a 90 minute chronical of his legendary and fulfilling career, with music ranging from his earliest days with the iconic group Traffic to present day reflections. Backed by his simpatico team of Johnne Sambataro/g, Ray Cardwell/b, Bill Mason/key and Alvino Bennett/dr, Mason reminded the audience that no matter the decade or band, there is a current of American blues that permeates our cultural worldview.
Having penned or performed on some of the most popular and influential rock and roll tunes, Mason performed a pick of the litter, with his rich baritone voice still in excellent form at 76 years old. Earthy on the opening rhythmic pulse of “World in Changes”, his voice worked well with the catchy themes of “Only You Know and I Know” and “Rock and Roll Stew”, with his guitar playing in impressive form, mixing picking and use of his wah wah on pieces like “Dear Mr. Fantasy”. Judiciously spreading around the vocal responsibilities on pieces like the folksy blues of “Can’t Find My Way Back Home” and “Low Spark of High Heeled Boy”, Mason resonated vocally with Sambataro’s relentless guitar line of “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave” and crooned out “We Just Disagree”.
Mason’s recently penned “Road Dogs” was a paene to his over half a century of touring as a rock and roll minstrel, while sharing stories of his days with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan on a riveting “All Along The Watchtower”. As exemplified by closing the set with his most famous piece, Mason brought the audience to dance fever pitch, reminding both himself and the fans that his music, with blues at its base, was made to make people “Feelin’ Alright”.
Upcoming shows at the B of A Performing Arts Center included Jeff Beck 11/05, Nikki Glaser 11/11, Craig Shoemaker 11/26 and An Irish Christmas 12/21-22