Twistin' The Blues eP

Jan 20 2019

Well hello there from under a blood red wolf moon! 

I trust you all went out and had a good look wherever in the world you are!

I’ve been hard at it diggin’ in the attic and getting the long lost Hurricane Mason “Twistin’ The Blues” eP up here on the site for download. Really was fun to listen to again after all this time. Ace and myself came up with the idea to put this medley together and take a swing at some of my favorite blues rock songs in a non- stop trajectory that clocks in a little over 18 minutes.

I generally don’t go around making any big proclaimations of  being a “blues guitarist” per say, but I’ll assure you the blues are a big part of what I do. I first heard lot of the English bands and Hendrix playing the blues only with loud guitars and it’s a very soulful artform at times that is sometimes so bad it makes you feel good!

Thought I’d try something new here and GIVE AWAY THIS FAT SLAB FO FREE!

Yep …in exchange for you joining the mailing list…I’m GIVING you this landmark collection of heavy duty stompers for no charge in hopes of re-building and cultivating a worldwide mailing list where we can communicate a little more directly about the musical and artistic goings on I seem to fall into.

Last few months since I hurt my hand and not been able to play live I’ve been thinking about what I’ve done, where I’ve been and what’s next…This is the longest break I’ve had from the stage in 20 years and it’s true that everything happens for a reason. Been coming to some realizations about what I really want out of my career and learning how to get there. At times I feel really alone in my quest to keep riding along the trail but hey, the joy is in the journey! It hasn’t been an easy road by any means these last few years, but really people….what is worth a damn isn’t gonna be easy…I’d just as soon be making music that I actually like on my own terms …If I’d just wanted to be RICH… I’d have definitely chosen do something else. Haha!

I think sometimes some people are confused by my flirtations with so many different styles and situations but I wouldn’t have it any other way…I enjoy doing what comes naturally to me at the time and releasing this eP is no exception. Wished I’d released this sooner…I hope you enjoy hearing my takes on these classic tunes!

Another bit of news I’d like to share with you about my involvement in a special youtube channel podcast called BandAdviceTV. Some of you might remember my ol’ buddy Mark Alan that I played acoustic music with starting back in the college days.. We have hatched a plan to bring you all some unique insights and observations via a weekly podcast and here’s a look at it…be sure and subscribe to the channel.. you won’t want to miss what we’ve got in store for you!

https://youtu.be/qUiCIRUo_U4

Keep it between the ditches and make sure that powder’s dry..MM

Blog 11/28/18

The only way to fail is give up

Wow well here we are late nov already. I must tell those of you who have been brave enough to migrate over here from that ONE site. Welcome to my elegant mess...Oct was rough..Bob Marley my adopted lab rescue had a lil run in with a car out front of the house on the road in the mid month..took him to vet and thru the kindness of a guardian angel was able to go to surgery and repair damge to his right hip. What an ordeal. Hes been recovering and is starting to use that 4th leg a little bit. Hes real lucky ill say that!

i myself had pretty good month playing gigs with John Hoff and Dave Olson in the rhythm section and a smattering of solo shows around the area. I was doing a few chores outside the aft of oct 30 and an aerosol can exploded in rubble fire burned my arms legs and face 2nd degree. The blast threw me to the ground and when i landed my fret hand pinky was  broke 4 ways...I didnt want to go to see a Dr. but by Fri I was convinced lol. So there were some really uncomfortable moments but burns have pretty well healed. Still waitin on this pinky finger tho. The Dr saying could be 6 more weeks in this splint which makes it impossible to play guitar at all...that hurts more than anything really lol

Were really lucky in Okla to have the Red Dirt Musicians Relief Fund..they are a lifesaver during times like this.Not everyone can say they actually make a difference at the end of each day but this organization really is a critical safety net for us crazy enough to make our way thru life making music and Im very appreciative of their efforts for all of us.

Ive kinda been fiddlin around and focusing in on the guitar styles of Django Reinhardt. He was this fantastic gypsy jazz musician who only had use of 2 fingers on his fretting had due to injuries suffered in a fire.Im fiding most everyone teaches his bag with all 4 fingers and this splint isnt very comfortable at the angle i need to try and play much but im tryin to keep that wolf fed a litle bit at least...When I heard the sad news of the end of Roy Clarks magnificient career, I got to say i was feelin pretty bummed watching all the videos..remembering  again why he will always have a seat in the gallery of the greats...but hark what do I hear but a call from a friend says hey i got an extra ticket to Generation Axe wanna go?

So Generation Axe is an allstar guitar nerdfest organized by steve vai and features nuno bettencourt, zakk wylde and the incompsrable Yngwie J. Malmsteen all doing sets on their own backed by rhythm section and plenty of jamming...im still reeling from how great thst was.. man o man that was really one best shows ive seen... ever!

Well so I promised you all last year Id release more music more frequently and I really liked the vibe of playing with diff ppl and so "Matt Plays Live" is a pretty good set of  cover tunes ive been playing beyond forever. But these are recent recordings with different rhythm sections and I have afeeling you might get a kick out of hearing em this way! 

If you click on the image up above it will take you right to it..... alright.. more sooner than later.. thank you for all the nice birthday wishes. 

see ya soon! 

mm

Archives 10/10/2018

Well anything worth a damn sure isn't easy...I won't bore you with the latest detours but want to share with you this studio cover and video for

Bob Marley's 3 Little Birds.

We cut this at Ace's Hideaway Digital Studio in Broken Arrow, during the sessions for Be The Wolf.

 By design we wanted to show some diversity and that  we were much more than just a loud guitar driven hard rock band....which we were at times, but there's really so many layers to the onion.

we thought it would be good to try and extend an olive branch to longtime local blues belter Wanda Watson and include her on vocals in this cover.

Listen see if you can hear her shadowing me on the 2nd verse and choruses.

I played a 1956 Fender Lapsteel and a 1957 tweed Fender princeton and my trusty tobacco 99 Gibson SG std on this cut.

Some of the pictures in the video are from Ace's benefit show we got back together for in 2012 when it was determined he needed another kidney transplant. 

This song has become a mantra of sorts in the years following the death and departure of some of the HM family...no matter what happens the sun is gonna rise tommrow and we all get another chance..that's easy to forget at times

 

Ramblin's On My Mind

From The Archives Fall 2018 

Oct 2,2018 5:31 AM

Hello there and welcome to the page! If you've made it this far you are very close to the edge of the internet...the fringe, if you will..

My name's Matt Mason...I'm a career musician in Oklahoma. I've played approx 1750 shows in 14 states, some with the band this site is named after as well as with a variety of other musical acts. 

I'm really excited to share with you all the new "From The Archives Series" on this website....it's been truly amazing to sift thru the last some years of musical activities and projects I've been involved in. 

Each day of Oct 2018, I will be posting a track, video, photos and/or other rarities that you might enjoy. 

More later

MM