Howdy, and
yet again we put our cowboy boots on and the Stetson and rush 7
miles up north within this city here to the Rattlesnake Saloon.
Because big chief Bruno has given us the hint to check out this
extraordinary guitarist named Brent Mason.
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Yeah well,
we european ain't that familiar with this musical style, so
every second one keeps asking: - who??? Let's face it, over
here,most people just know the name Johnny Cash, and that's it.
Viva the ignorance and the fact: what the farmer doesn't know,
he doesn't try to eat... - as we say so. But thanks god, there
are still these insider circles, who know exactly who everybody
is in Country, what he does and where he or she's up to....
Although the name Brent Mason is known here in Germany as well
as the one of the kudo drums champion from Japan, he belongs
sort of the establishment in Nashville Tennessie.
Well, Mr. Mason just celebrated his 50th birthday 5 days ago to
this gig tonight. And he has spent most of his carriere as a
sessionmusician in Nashville. He's worked for artists like Alan
Jackson, Neil Diamond and Shania Twain just to name a few, in
the past. In 1997 Brent released one instrumental soloalbum
enttiteled 'Hot Wired'. But instead of touring he again decided
for the studiowork, also because of his family.
However the result of his work are 12 Academy of Country Music Guitarist of
the Year Awards and 2 CMA
Musician of the Year Awards.
And over all, Mason won the Grammy for Best Country
Instrumental. His latest solo effort was the release of the CD 'Smokin'
Section' in 2006, he recorded with his brother Randy.
Well, and now we got him here, this wunderkind on the 6 strings.
And we are curious and want to convince ourselves, whether he
deserves his reputation.
Apart from that, the tasty steaks at the Rattlesnake are
legendary...
Scarlet is the name of this young talented lady, who up there
sings and handles and bass, accompanied by some other musicians.
All together they are the Stars'n'Bars.
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And
if I'm not completely wrong, she actually did already support
Albert Lee right here about 4 months agao. I didn't catch it
then, as I was a bit late. But tonight I do see here set,
alltogether within a jungle heat, almost comparing with the
temperatures in the Sahara dessert...
Alrighty, it's always a bit odd with women in this genre. On one
side, most people don't respect a female, unless she's got a big
name. On the other side it's pretty impressing, most at the male
audiance.
Scarlett is 21 years of age, born in Heidelberg, Germany, and
past january she has put out her first CD 'Get There Gone',
recorded in Nashwille - where else. She's going for the
mainstream country sound. Let's put it that way, Scarlett is
surely talented, she's brave, has got a huge amound of
selfconfidence and got the love for this music. But there is
still some way to go, if you know what I mean. As we say so:
vine gets better the older it is. Maybe pretty Scarlett should
move to Nashville. And maybe one day she is able to reach sort
of a reputation like for instance Gretchen Wilson or Alison
Krauss. But as I said before, there's a long way to go. All the
best for the future, and whoever is interested in this young
lady, then please check her website.
http://www.scarlett-s.com/de
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To take one fact ahead.... Stars'n Bars incl.Scarlett are also
acting as the backing band for Brent Mason.... So what.. it all
stays within the big family.. We know each other from Nashville,
don't we....
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So, what shall I say...
This good man truly keeps, what he promises.. Halleluja...
Speedy Gonzales becomes a snail, weaking up from a deep long
winters sleep compared to this here. And Brent warns us: "don't
try this at home"... - and this not only once within this
set. Yeah well, we could try....but I doubt it, that anyone here
would be as brillant and fast as him. Although Mr. Mason's
performance is so cool taking away a too serious character. He's
entertaining, witty and presents us own music as well as tunes
of other well known artists, like for example Merle Haggard,
just to name one. I must admit, I do like very much his
energetic version of 'Guitar Man', - not the track from Bread,
but the Elvis song.
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Over all, Brent
doesn't forget about his backing band and let them have their
solos. I'm talking about the second guitarist, the steel guitar
and the guy on the keyboard.
And all that, while outside a bad thunderstorm goes down on
Munich... but we don't even check this....
One more thing to mention... This performance here ain't purely
country music, but there's also a lot of blues and even some
jazz. This explosive fusion mixture leads into some 15 minutes
long jamsession. Though most of the tracks got the norm, don't
worry.
The result are twice one hour great music with a short break
inbetween. And it's finishing off after some guests joined the
band on stage playing a banjo and harp, and Brent does one more
encore - alone with only an acoustic guitar....
No there is nothing to complain about it. Brent Mason is a real
genius on the six strings, still beeing a insider tipp here in
Europe. So get your lasso's and a bottle of Jack Daniels and
remember the name....
Howdy, and now I'm gonna smoke the peace pipe....
http://www.brentmason.com/ |
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