In the ‘70s, you couldn't turn on a radio and not hear former Traffic bandmember Dave Mason. He was HUGE, and was on Columbia Records back then. He had a monster of a manager named Jason “The Moke” Cooper; played with George Harrison and Paul McCartney and then something happened and it all went wrong.

Mason wrote some stunners back then, "Look At You, Look At Me,” "World in Changes;" heck, they're still played today. Paul Shaffer on “Late Night with Dave Letterman,” just performed "World in Changes" a few weeks back, and it was strong as ever. Mason even wrote "Fellin' Allright" for Traffic, which has been done by more than four dozen artists.

Joe Cocker just sang it on Conan O’Brien’s show a few weeks back and Mason guested on the performance. Industry rumors aside (record company troubles; personality clashes), Mason continued to perform in clubs usually with a different array of musicians, but little by little they began to be known as the Dave Mason Band and I've been fortunate to see them mostly in New York.

Paul McCartney

I saw him at BB King's late last year and it was a terrific show. He even performed two new numbers. I caught the band, again, at the venue this past week and he was the best I've ever seen him. The first standout thing he mentioned was that his first album of new, material in 20 years will be out on Sept. 30. "Just like a suit, I went out of fashion," says Mason in his dead-panned drawl. "But, you know, sometimes if you leave it in the closet long enough, it becomes fashionable again."

Mason's played with the greats, from Graham Nash to Harrison and McCartney; The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. In fact, he played on the original recording of Jimi Hendrix's "All Along The Watchtower," now a standout tune in his set. He even played with Stevie Wonder and had Michael Jackson sing on one of his songs.

Stevie Wonder

To me, his serious songs are just terrific, and I think the problem has been that Dave knows just how good he is, and in some cases that's tough for others to swallow. He and Steve Winwood, for instance, have never been able to just let it be. Too bad, because together they were terrific together.

His new album, entitled "26 Letters 12 Notes" (which is a typical great-Mason lyric) was recorded over the past six years at his home in California, as well as in Detroit and Florida. As to how good it is, he says, "I've been listening to it for the last six years, and, I'm not sick of it." One new song, I think the title is "Let It Go" is typical of Mason’s brilliance. Love him or not, you've got to respect what he's written.

At the show he played Traffic's "40,000 Headmen" and "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave," which he dedicated to the current government. The SRO-crowd went nuts over it. Mason draws one of the most interesting crowds you'll ever see: Bikers, geeks, nerds, rappers. They're all there loving this guy. His band, including the absolutely wonderful guitarist Johnnie Sambataro, is just brilliant.

It makes me recall with much fondness former Mason players, keyboardist, Mike Finnigan (who currently plays with Cocker) and guitarist Jim Krueger, who wrote the stunning "We Just Disagree," which is all about a no-fault divorce. If you like music and you've never given this man a listen, do yourself a favor and do it, now! Superior show!