Dave Mason is a co-founder of the legendary rock band Traffic. He’s played on some of the greatest rock albums in history: Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, and Delaney & Bonnie’s Motel Shot among them. Once again, SLO Brew has nabbed another monster in the lexicon of rock & roll. Mason plays Saturday, November 20. The show is 21 & over and doors open at 7:30. Tickets are still available but we’re offering you a chance to win a pair of ticket now! Open up that rainy day fund and celebrate with a legendary guitarist. Click continue to enter.

26 Letters 12 Notes (2008) Review
26 Letters 12 Notes is his first new album in a decade. Originally produced by Mason at home in California, additional recording was done in Detroit and Miami. It’s a back to basics, ’70s style rock and Brit soul record. It reveals Mason not only as a solid, focused, and relevant songwriter in the rock idiom, but as an expressive vocalist of uncanny power and depth (he’s actually gotten better over the decades). His guitar playing has continued to develop and grow: he is a far more interesting player than his peer Eric Clapton is at this stage of the game. There isn’t anything showy or hyper-consciously “dazzling” in the presentation, Mason’s always been humble, and he sets his playing and singing to be true to his songs.
[Read more…] about CONTEST: Dave Mason at SLO Brew on Saturday, Nov. 20st!!

Faun Fables – Light Of A Vaster Dark CD/LP (Drag City)
Light of A Vaster Dark meditates on the cyclical nature of light and darkness as revealed in the seasons of life, and in the beautiful power of steadfast and humble tales of housekeeping, immigrant pioneers and a civic parade.

Jimi Hendrix – West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology CD/CD+DVD/4xCD+DVD/8xLP (Sony Legacy)
A comprehensive treasure trove of previously unreleased recordings — including demos, alternate takes, live concert jewels and more — from all phases of his recording career (1964 -1970). Includes a 90-minute documentary DVD, Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child.

Norah Jones – …Featuring Norah Jones CD/LP (Blue Note)
Compilation of Norah’s favorite collaborations from 2001-2010, including tracks with: Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock, Foo Fighters, Ryan Adams, Belle And Sebastian, OutKast, Q-Tip, and Talib Kweli, M. Ward and more.

Pink Martini – Joy To The World CD (Heinz)
Traditional holiday favorites alongside gorgeous, lesser-known discoveries, all imbued with Pink Martini’s signature little orchestra sound.

Bruce Springsteen – The Promise 2xCD/3xLP (Columbia)
Bruce Springsteen – The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story 3xCD+3xDVD (Columbia)
Two discs containing a total of 21 previously-unreleased songs from the Darkness On The Edge Of Town recording sessions, songs that, as Springsteen writes, “perhaps could have/should have been released after Born To Run and before the collection of songs that Darkness On The Edge of Town became.” Deluxe six-disc edition adds a digitally remastered version of Darkness… plus three DVDs featuring a making of the album documentary and a plethora of live performances.

Stereolab – Not Music CD/LP (Drag City)
The first offering since Stereolab’s self-imposed hiatus in 2008, Not Music is part of Tim Gane’s experiment involving improvised chord sequences on piano or vibraphone, over the top of which were placed drum loops. This yielded a bumper crop of new songs, 14 of which were cherry-picked to form their previous LP, Chemical Chords.

Jim Sullivan – U.F.O. [Reissue] CD/LP (Light In The Attic)
Reissue of ultra rare 1969 private press psych-folk-rock masterpiece.

[Read more…] about New Releases for November 16, 2010

Syd Barrett – An Introduction To Syd Barrett CD (EMI)
David Gilmour, who originally worked with Syd Barrett on the solo albums by co-producing The Madcap Laughs and as producer of Barrett has taken the role of executive producer for the album and has remixed five tracks including “Octopus,” “She Took A Long Cool Look,” “Dominoes,” and “Here I Go,” on which Gilmour has added and played bass guitar.

The Good Ones – Kigali Y’ Izahabu CD/LP (Dead Oceans)
The Good Ones is a trio of Rwandan genocide survivors who play joyous, acoustic love songs written in the ancient local, Kinyarwanda street dialect of their nation’s capital, Kigali.

Cee Lo Green – The Lady Killer CD (Elektra/Asylum)
Cee-Lo Green’s first solo album in more than six years.

The Greenhornes – 4 Stars CD/LP+MP3 (Third Man Records)
The Greenhornes’ first album since 2002’s Dual Mono is diverse yet very concise, from the dark pop of lead single ”Saying Goodbye,” the bubble glam of ”Song 13,” to ”Cave Drawings” moody psych.

Albert King With Stevie Ray Vaughan – In Session CD/CD+DVD/DVD (Stax)
On December 6, 1983, legendary blues guitarist Albert King joined Stevie Ray Vaughan on a Canadian sound stage for the live music television series In Session. The highly sought after audio and video footage from that one-time renowned summit is now available as a deluxe CD+DVD package. Also available on stand-alone DVD.

Jonathan Richman – O Moon, Queen Of Night On Earth CD (Vapor)
Fifth studio album featuring guest musicians Olf Arnalds, Nicole Montalbano, Roger Montalbano, Kelly Houston, and Ted Saverese.

Various Artists (Loretta Lynn And Friends) – Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute To Loretta Lynn CD (Columbia Nashville)
To honor the 50th year anniversary of her debut single, a diverse group of artists have come together to pay tribute to her on this 12-hit collection. Lynn personally selected the artists, which include Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Allison Moorer, Paramore, Reba featuring The Time Jumpers, Carrie Underwood, The White Stripes, Lucinda Williams, Gretchen Wilson, and Lee Ann Womack.

Various Artists – Groove Merchant Turns 20 CD/2xLP (Luv N’Haight)
20 Years ago the Groove Merchant record store opened its doors on Haight Street in San Francisco. The rare funk, soul and jazz emporium became a mecca for collectors, DJs, music fans and producers. It was also the birthplace for the Luv N’Haight and Ubiquity Record labels. To celebrate this anniversary, Groove Merchant Record store owner Chris Veltri is collaborating with Luv N’Haight and has compiled a tasty selection of 14 musical treats that range from soulful disco to dusty funky folk, and beyond.

Various Artists – Tradi-mods Vs. Rockers 2xCD (Crammed Discs)
Featuring contributions by: Animal Collective, Deerhoof, Juana Molina, Andrew Bird, Mark Ernestus, Micachu & The Shapes, Oneida, Optimo, Jolie Holland, Glenn Kotche and more.

Various Artists – Tribute To Os Mutantes: El Justiciero, Cha Cha Cha CD (Nacional Records)
Justiciero musicians from Café Tacvba to Fito Páez and Aterciopelados (in collaboration with Dias), revisit and reinvent the aesthetic legacy of the band that masterfully fused psychedelia and tropicalia. The result is an extraordinary album that includes illustrations by original group member Baptista.

Complete list after jump
[Read more…] about New Releases for November 9, 2010