The project features guest appearances by Joe Bonamassa & Michael McDonald
Dave Mason will release his 21st studio album, A Shade of Blue, on March 21st via his Barham Productions label. With a career of over six decades, Mason, a founding member of Traffic and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, delves deep into his blues roots in this electrifying collection. Over a decade in the making, this blues-infused masterpiece showcases Mason’s legendary artistry and collaborative spirit. The album features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Joe Bonamassa, Michael McDonald, Mike Finnigan, Warren Hill, and more. A Shade of Blues also sets the stage for Mason’s highly anticipated 2025 tour, celebrating over five decades of electrifying performances and sold-out shows worldwide.
Blues has been a cornerstone of Mason’s music since his earliest days with Traffic, where he performed alongside Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood. From penning timeless classics like “Feelin’ Alright” and “Only You Know and I Know” to collaborating with legends such as Jimi Hendrix (“All Along the Watchtower,” “Crosstown Traffic”) and The Rolling Stones (“Street Fighting Man”), Mason’s contributions to music are unparalleled.
With A Shade of Blues, Mason leans further into the genre that influenced him, offering 11 tracks that showcase a wide range of blues and R&B styles.
“My guitar playing has always drawn from the blues,” Mason explains. “This album leans a little more heavily into that style, but not entirely—that’s why I call it A Shade of Blues.”
Recorded with a mix of old friends and new collaborators, the album features standout moments like the traditional eight-bar blues of “Use It, Or Lose It” — set for single release on February 21st featuring guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa — and a raw, impromptu jam on Elmore James and Robert Johnson’s “Dust My Blues.”
The album also includes “It’s Just You And Me,” with Michael McDonald on harmony vocals, piano, and organ, and a fiery rendition of “Born Under A Bad Sign,” a tribute to Albert King, one of Jimi Hendrix’s favorite guitarists.
The album is a testament to both the enduring power of the blues and Mason’s unwavering artistry. At 78, he continues to perform with his band, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam, sharing his music with the next generation.
1. Use It, Or Lose It
2. Come Home In My Kitchen
3. It’s Just You And Me
4. Cocaine Blues
5. The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
6. Born Under A Bad Sign
7. Dust My Blues
8. Dear Mr. Fantasy
9. Just Another Fool In Love
10. El Toro
11. Good To You
