… And it’s the only kind of Traffic Jam I enjoy!

Dave Mason

Dave Mason made a triumphant return to the Lowell Summer Music Series last night as part of his Traffic Jam 2015 tour. The crowd was fairly large on this gorgeous night that earlier in the day threatened rain which never arrived.

The last time Mason was at the Series, the show was forced indoors because it did rain; he appeared appreciative that the weather goddesses brought good weather.

Dave Mason

The show was supposed to be two sets, the first of Traffic material and the second of Dave songs (as he expressed it), but they ended up doing one lengthy set. They started with ‘40,000 Headmen’ and a number of other Traffic songs before segueing into Dave songs. From that point, they went back and forth.

Alvino Bennett, Dave Mason, Anthony “Tony” Patler

Mason has a terrific trio of musicians backing him. Anthony ‘Tony’ Patler on keyboards, backing (and at least one turn at lead) vocals, and ‘bass’; Alvino Bennett on drums; and Johnne Sambataro on guitar and backing vocals comprise the band. Apologies to Johnne because I got no photos of him from where I was able to shoot.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Patler

Alvino Bennett

The set list included songs from throughout Mason’s illustrious career, which shows no signs of slowing. He recently released Future’s Past which includes a song – ‘How Do I Get to Heaven’ – begun by Jim Capaldi before he died and finished by Mason. It is a beautiful song that fits well with the rest of the Traffic (and its derivatives) discography.

Dave Mason

Anthony ‘Tony’ Patler

Alvino Bennett

Other songs on the set list were a different, but fantastic, arrangement of ‘Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys’; ‘Medicated Goo’; ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’; ‘Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave’; ‘We Just Disagree’; ‘Let It Go, Let It Flow’; ‘You Can All Join In’; ‘A Lot to Learn About You’; ‘Looking All Around Me’; ‘Good to You’ (from Future’s Past); and ‘Only You Know and I Know’ which ended the set.

Dave Mason and Anthony ‘Tony’ Patler

They were brought back to the stage for an encore, when they performed ‘Feelin’ Alright’ and ‘All Along the Watchtower’. At that point, most if not all of the audience was on its collective feet, swaying to the familiar lyrics.

Dave Mason

Thanks, Dave, for making us feel alright!

I am deeply grateful to Dave Mason for allowing me to photograph this show.