RAY MASON
Old School (Captivating Music)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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If this is a new one on you, rest assured it's only because you never looked in the right places. Ray Mason has been out there doing it since 1966, opening more shows for more big names than you can probably randomly reel off without looking through the CD bins to reload.

Armed with a highly likeable voice and a knack for turning simple honesty into a perfect hook, Mason spent the 1980s traveling one of the most indie routes imaginable, releasing five albums, but only on cassette. You may or may not remember that the cassette-only scene was all the rage in the 80s, and Mason was right out there on the edge. Since then he's founded his own label (Captivating Music) and appeared on plenty of CDs, both on his own and as a sideman for others.

Old School is a highly enjoyable album, dedicated to Mason's father, who passed away in 2004. Mason rightly credits Jim Weeks for playing a huge role in making the album happen, and it's really Weeks' album as much as it is Mason's. He plays guitars, keyboards, drums, mandolin, cello, violin, harmonica, contributes vocals and did a fine job as producer. His brother, Jon, turns in a pair of beautiful performances on flute, as well. Between Mason's penchant for compelling, honest pop tunes and Weeks' ability to add anything any song needs, Old School couldn't help but become one of the finest releases of the year. And that it is.

© 2005 - DJ Johnson