Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
From the day this CD dropped on my desk I just cannot stop playing it. Melanie Mason is a rare talent: a guitarist/vocalist and songwriter and still young enough to learn more. All her songs (9 originals, 3 covers) stand up on their own as well as together. The opening track, "Mississippi Blues," has a great guitar and harp opening then in comes the voice - WOW, the only other person I've heard whose voice made me feel this way is Maggie Bell (Stone the Crows) and that can't be bad. The whole number rocks along in a wonderful southern laid back groove.
"The Devil Chose Me" and "Work Your Magic" show the great songwriting talent of Melanie. The three covers Melanie reworks to suit her own style. "I'm in the Mood" is taken at a slower pace with fine keyboards from Benjie Porecki and just enough harp from Mickey Meiklejohn. To end the CD we have a Lowell Fulson song that rocks along leaving you wanting more. To sum up, there are touches of Melissa Etheridge in there, but if you have a Melanie Mason CD about you don't play Melissa.
A quick word to promoters ... When the SRV look-alike has tuned his 72 Strat for the 20th time and the crowd is getting bored, put on this CD and they will soon be back in a party mood. 10 out of 10.
- RAY O'HARE
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Melanie Mason is a very unique artist for sure. Living in the Washington D.C. area, she recently released her first album, Bendin' the Blues. And she did an excellent job. The band is very tight with one great Benjie Porecki on keyboards, but it's Mason herself that puts on the show. There seems to emerge a new star in the blues scene on guitar as well as vocals. You can hear three covers – one is John Lee Hooker's "I'm In the Mood" - as well as many self-written songs that are arranged and played perfectly. A great promise for the future.
- FRANZ RICHTER
A great newcomer with a fresh approach, but also a feeling for the great traditions of classic blues. Very popular with my listeners here in Britain.
- MARTIN DAVIES
Discography
Bendin' the Blues
Produced by: Bob Dawson, Bias Recording
Mastered by: Charlie Pilzer, Airshow Mastering
Guitars & vocals: Melanie Mason
Hammond organ & piano: Benjie Porecki
Harmonica: Mickey Meiklejohn
Bass & backup vocals: Sam Goodall
Drums: Mike Utz
Percussion: Bob Dawson
CD song list:
1. Mississippi Blues (Mason)
2. The Devil Chose Me (Mason)
3. Give In (Mason)
4. Work Your Magic (Mason)
5. Ready for the Road (Mason)
6. In the Mood (Hooker/Besman)*
7. I'll Be What You Need (Mason)
8. Love's Slow Burn (Mason)
9. Sliding Delta (Hurt)*
10. Devastated (Mason)
11. Child of the Wind (Mason)
12. Bending Like a Willow Tree (Fulson)*
Total playing time: 48:41
*Used by permission.
© 2000 Melanie Mason
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Melanie Mason poses a triple threat to today's blues-rock scene as a lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. From contemporary rockin blues to more traditional forms, Melanie blends the old and the new in unique ways.
Melanie began playing guitar at age 12. As a developing guitarist and vocalist, Melanie was immediately drawn to the blues. She learned by playing along to the recordings of Jimmy Johnson, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins and Jimi Hendrix. Later on, she developed a deep interest in acoustic blues played by artists such as Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, and Mississippi John Hurt.
Melanie began her music career in the Washington, D.C. area by performing solo acoustic blues. She soon made contact with several local musicians and formed her first band. In a short time, the band developed into a tightly knit group with an exciting electric blues-oriented repertoire.
She self-released her debut album, Bendin the Blues, in January 2001. An important step in Melanie's music career, the album consists of nine original cuts and three covers. Melanie performs all of the guitar work on the album. To date, the CD has received international airplay and considerable praise, including the 2001 Washington Area Music Association WAMMIE award for Best Blues Album. (For more information, visit www.cdbaby.com/melaniemason or call CD Baby at 1-800-448-6369, 1:00 to 8:00 PM, EST.)
Melanie is a member of the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) the DC Blues Society, WPFW 89.3, and Maryland Party.
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