Like New England's answer to
Don Dixon, Northampton, MA's
Ray Mason plays a genial brand of roots pop with some soul and country influences. 1998's
Old Souls Day is only his third CD release after a nearly decade-long stretch of self-released cassettes and singles that made the songwriter and guitarist something of a local legend on the western Massachusetts alt-country scene, guesting on albums by
the Scud Mountain Boys and others. An impressive mix of folk, country, R&B, and British Invasion-style pop,
Mason's songwriting shows an instinctive feel for his chosen genres, never lapsing into simple clichés and occasionally, as on the title track and "When She Walks By," capable of greatness. On the downside, the characterless production does little to enliven the songs, which means that some of the weaker tracks sound more alike than they really are. Still,
Old Souls Day is a charming and occasionally terrific record that fans of
Bill Lloyd,
the Spongetones, and
Lucinda Williams should enjoy.