MELANIE MASON: Bendin' the Blues

Melanie Mason

Bendin' the Blues

© 2001 Melanie Mason (783707317120)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

SPECIAL: 30% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

Debut album from lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Melanie Mason and her band; winner of WAMA's Best Blues Recording award. "10 out of 10." --Blues Matters

tracks

1 Mississippi Blues
2 The Devil Chose Me
3 Give In
4 Work Your Magic
5 Ready for the Road
6 I'm In the Mood
7 I'll Be What You Need
8 Love's Slow Burn
9 Sliding Delta
10 Devastated
11 Child of the Wind
12 Bending Like a Willow Tree

notes

NOTE: If you would prefer to purchase this CD in MP3 format, please go to:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/melaniemason4

***************

*** RECIPIENT OF THE 2001 BEST BLUES RECORDING AWARD (Washington Area Music Assocation) ***

***************

REVIEWS & PRESS

"Like Raitt, Mason is a triple threat as singer, guitarist and songwriter, and she's able to hold her own in both band and solo settings." --Richard Harrington, The Washington Post

"Mason laces sweetness with sultriness - a promising guitarist and songwriter." --Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat Magazine

"A hot blues-rock group fronted by a woman who sings and plays lead guitar ... a new generation of Washington musicians beginning to wow crowds." --William Triplett, Washingtonian Magazine

"From the day this CD dropped on my desk I just cannot stop playing it ... 10 out of 10." --Ray O'Hare, Blues Matters Magazine, Great Britain

"It's not often that a debut disc by a regional player is so rich in well-written original material. In a few years, this could be one of those 'I've got her first one on her own label!' albums." --Tom Clarke, Hittin' The Note (Allman Brothers Magazine)

"One thing's for sure, Mason can play...with all the fuzzy frenzy of a young Eric Clapton, during Slowhand's blues-acolyte phase." --Lou King, The Montgomery Journal

***************

ABOUT THIS CD:

Mason's debut CD, "Bendin' the Blues," won the 2001 Blues Recording Award from the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), and held the #1 top-selling blues album spot on CD Baby for over three years. The CD marked an important step in Mason's music career. Bob Dawson, producer and recording engineer for artists such as Danny Gatton and Mary Chapin Carpenter, played a key role in helping Mason define her unique sound. The CD consists of 9 originals and 3 covers.

***************

ABOUT MASON'S OTHER CDs:

Since her initial debut, Mason has recorded two more albums, taking a new approach with each one. Her follow-up CD, "Lonesome Is I," featured Mason on acoustic solo guitar, performing a collection of traditional blues tunes. The album won the 2004 Blues Recording Award from WAMA and garnered a cross-genre nomination for 2004 Album of the Year. And, just recently, Mason released her third album with her band, "Live at Blues Alley," a compelling live performance recorded Blues Alley -- the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club.

***************

DISCOGRAPHY:

>>"Bendin' the Blues," 2001

>>"Lonesome Is I," 2004 (www.cdbaby.com/group/mmason)

>>"Live at Blues Alley," 2005 (www.cdbaby.com/group/mmason)

***************

HIGHLIGHTS:

>> #1 top-selling blues artist on CD Baby from 2001 - 2004

>> Opening act for Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Robert Cray, Don McLean, Robin Trower, Little Feat guitarists Barrere & Tackett, and more

>> Regional WETA-TV promo appearances for Martin Scorsese's "The Blues" film series

>> Winner of the 2003 D.C. Blues Society International Blues Challenge

>> Winner of two "Best Blues Recording" awards from the Washington Area Music Association ("Bendin' the Blues," 2001; and "Lonesome Is I," 2004)

***************

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information about Mason and her band, visit www.melaniemason.com. Please spread the word about this up and coming artist. Thank you for supporting independent music!

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • bendin
    author: neal courtene-jones

    Found Melanie's discs on CD Baby. This is the second I have purchased now and its magnificent. Wow I wish I could sing and play like this. Wonderful music. CD Baby's usual efficient delivery. Thanks for making such wonderful music.

  • not bad good consistancy
    author: Scotte Farnocchia

    It was a nice fresh style.

  • author: Clifford Orange

    Melanie is a great new artist, her music is simple but complex at the same time. From what I hear on her CD Melanie can stay with the best of them.

  • Surprising and captivating
    author: Al Want

    Bendin' the Blues is a surprising and captivating rendition of blues the way they should be performed. Touching on both Texas and Delta style blues with an occasional hint of gospel, Mason makes you feel the spirit deep down from where she performs these songs. Not a bad cut on the entire cd.

  • Great work at all
    author: blue tom

    One thing is sure: you've the blues in your blood. Pretty sound, nice voice powerful guitar, what do you need more . The CD is really worth the money.

  • Very good debut album
    author: David

    Some great tracks on this album. Listen to this even if blues is not your thing.

  • Great , very nice!!!!!
    author: Michael Clubine Syracuse N.Y.

    Melanie, Love your music keep up the good work. Bendin'the Blues is a another great Album ! Thank You

  • Great lead guitar!
    author: #1 blues fan from LA

    I now own all of Melanie Mason's cds, including this one, her debut. I highly recommend all three of her albums...This lady rocks on both acoustic and electric guitar!

  • Riding the real talent
    author: Anne Marie Clairton, NY

    Thank God for all women that create music. But let's get something straight here. This cd is a direct rip-off , down to the copied photo lay-out of Cathy Jean's fantastic blues rockin' album in 1998, "I Want" . Cathy Jean came way before you-- it's a compliment that you want to be her, don't we all??

  • Thank you Melanie!
    author: Erik

    I just wanna thank you Melanie for this CD that I think sounds very good! Have you listened to a great band called 2 Souls? You will find information about their cd "In The Heat Of The Night" at http://cdbaby.com/cd/2souls.

  • Great variety of blues
    author: Volpone

    This CD beautifully showcases Melanie Mason's ability to excell in a variety of blues' styles. She has good voice and plays great guitar licks. The band sounds good as well.

  • just heard first track and was hooked - a pure gem.
    author: david fanning

    from first to last track a refreshing taste of infectious blues.gritty vocals,tethered with the meanest guitar licks and ably abetted with some awesome harmonica blowing.[bonnie raitt on steroids meets kim wilson up a dark alley.] SUPERB.

  • just buy it.
    author: Rob Jenkins

    This is one of those rare, just buy it albums, that keeps on surprising you and giving you more each time. A great voice and good guitar but more than that, a real mood of things to come, and a real sense of her soul... buy it.

  • Lovely guitar blues
    author: Stein Øvrum

    Very good CD. Magnificent guitar playing and a lovely voice. Keep up the good work, Melanie. If you are wondering aobout buying this CD, don't - just go ahead and order.

  • Refreshing New Blues Sound
    author: Jimmy J

    I am always looking for new Blues artists and glad I was able to hear some of Melanie's Bendin' The Blues CD. She has a sultry, smooth, intoxicating quality that makes me crave to hear the CD over and over. My favorite tracks are: The Devil Chose Me, I'm In The Mood and I'll Be What You Need. If you like the Blues, you'll love Bendin' The Blues. Jimmy J

  • Solid CD ,not any weak tracks
    author: Greg Hogg

    Loves Slow Burn is my personal favorite on this release.This song gives me that spine tingle that I feel when I've been completely blown away. Thanks Melanie,Keep up the great work!

  • Great Musician!
    author: Phil

    I am always looking for some new blues musicians to listen to, and Melanie Mason is a very talented blues guitar player. She and her band have a great CD here. I will also just load her Kennedy Center performance on my computer and listen to it at work. She is for real!!

  • hopin this gal bends some more blues soon.
    author: Bob

    Not a bad song on this Cd. Missippi Blues, The Devil Chose Me, Bending Like a Willow Tree.....heck just buy the CD, A big voice , tight band...good sound.

  • author: Darwin

    Great CD!! Arrived very fast, considering it was coming to Canada. I think I have worn out Mississippi Blues and Bending Like a Willow Tree. Good work Melanie!

  • a voice with soul, a guitar with heart
    author: Carol

    This is an excellent album, and has been in heavy rotation in my CD player since I got it. Melanie has a voice you won't soon forget, and her guitar playing reaches right inside your stomach. Every track is good; several are simply stellar. My top picks: "Mississipppi Blues," "The Devil Chose Me," "Love's Slow Burn" and "Devastated." The opening bars of "Mississippi Blues" just rock. And I adore the mournful slow blues of "Love's Slow Burn." Keep it up, Melanie, and get that next album out soon. I'll buy it as soon as I see it.

  • GOOD CD's
    author: Test

    Rocks dude...

  • masterful guitar playing, solid songwriting, great vocals
    author: Patrice Moerman

    Melanie Mason's debut Cd Bendin' the Blues stands out from the crowd. The songs are very well crafted, the vocals are strong and her guitar playing is masterful, with nods to Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King and Bonnie Raitt. Who said girls can't play lead!

  • First Class
    author: A.W. Maples

    A first class CD release from a first class singer/songwriter/musician. Quality work throughout.

  • The soul of blues, a style all her own…
    author: Johanna Wilson

    Melanie Mason captures the soul of the blues in a style all her own. The three covers are among the best I’ve heard, but its the nine originals that wake you up and make you long for more. Her voice has a smoky yet crisp quality.

  • Great vocalist, unique sound
    author: Richard Smith

    Mason's vocals are resonant and sultry; a real pleasure to hear. Great variety in the songs. Highly recommended.

  • Stunning!
    author: Karl Meyer

    Melanie Mason presents a complete package with her debut CD: great songwriting, sexy singing, solid guitar work, and an excellent band. This CD has a nice variety to it also. Some of the songs are in the more modern vein, but there's a good dose of traditional blues also. Highly recommended.

  • Pure and simple, this is Blues!!
    author: Lloyd Morris

    If you aren't a blues fan, you'll think it's good music. If you are a blues fan, it'll make you tingle from head to toe! Mississippi Blues is good; The Devil Chose Me is great; but Love's Slow Burn will flat out light your fire! Blues fans, treat yourself to some ear-candy.

  • Smokin' debut CD from Melanie Mason
    author: Brian Spencer Kunv 91.5 Las Vegas, Nevada

    Melanie Mason has put out one fine CD with one fine band. Her vocals make you want to melt.Melanie's style brings out the roots of the Blues on this debut CD.

  • Great voice, great songs; even better live.
    author: Glenn Linsenmayer

    Great voice, great songs, great feeling and phrasing for the music. To add to Dennis Barnes' comment, I think they are even better live.

  • Melanie just cut in line in front of Susan Tedeschi. Melanie has the chops and
    author: Lance Gurwell

    Melanie and da Band sound so real on their debut album, it's hard to believe this is its first release. Melanie's singing is just as powerful as her guitar chops, and the song lyrics are intelligent. Without a doubt Melanie has some good times ahead! Keep up the good work!

  • Three bars in, and I was hooked...
    author: Joe Ferguson, Texasflood Internet Radio

    Three bars into the first track, and I was hooked. It's been way too long since an independent artist stood out like this. On her debut release, "Bendin' The Blues", Melanie Mason has managed to put together a collection that flows together so well yet remains unpredictable. The CD's first track, "Mississippi Blues", grabs your attention before you even have the chance to back away from your CD player and keeps you tuned in through the closing notes of the final track. Her guitar style will make your brain feel like it's been through the blender trying to figure out where you've heard it before - but you haven't. Her influences are so varied that you really can't pinpoint them. Her vocals are as powerful as Melissa Etheridge and sweeter than Susan Tedeschi. Engineered and produced by Bob Dawson (Danny Gatton, Mary Chapin Carpenter), the CD's sound will have you turning the case over and over looking for the record label's logo - but there isn't one. This disc was a labor of love and that love for the Blues shines through on every cut, and this CD will be on this station's 'most recommended' list for a long time to come.

  • This is not one to pass up!
    author: R. Bosse

    Melanie's fine guitar work combined with her soulful vocals result in a superb debut CD. The solid foundation of her back up band and her talent as a songwriter will no doubt take her far. Don't pass this one up!

  • I Love "Bendin' the Blues"!
    author: Dennis Barnes

    Melanie displays her considerable singing, guitar playing and songwriting talents throughout (9 originals on a debut CD!). The band is tight with Mickey's outstanding harmonica perfectly complementing the mood. The production is first rate. The CD stands up well to repeated listening; Melanie's well-crafted songs set this CD apart from the crowd (I can't get "Work Your Magic" out of my head). I've also seen the band perform; they're every bit as good live!

  • A future "I've got her first one on her own label" album!
    author: Tom Clarke/hittin' The Note

    Melanie Mason's Bendin' The Blues is a debut rich in original songs that stand up admirably next to covers by a few of her heroes. The whole of it is scintillating and enticing, from the lethal hook in "Ready For the Road" to the harp- fueled hoodoo in "The Devil Chose Me." Mason's a sharp guitarist and a sturdy, yet feminine singer. An expert band and good, clean production seal the package!

  • Oh yes!! Brought it all home!!
    author: Slim Cuisine- Chef De Blues

    Things to love about Bendin' the Blues: Original, sophisticated song writing, tasteful & skillfull guitar chops, cool keys & harp, tight backline, soulful vocals...Adds up to lots of mood and some great blues.

  • great sound, great musicians, how about another!
    author: Sue Rothe
  • Great vocals, fine guitar work, buy it!
    author: Ken Masten

    Melanie Mason presents a fine Blues Cd with a very good backup band. Her voice is stong and clear and her guitar work is very enjoyable. If you enjoy Sue Foley and Deborah Coleman, then Melanie Mason should also be on your play list.

email

Please log in to email this artist.