Mason Via – Self-Titled
Mason Via was the youngest member of the Grammy-nominated Old Crow Medicine Show. This solo set digs more deeply into the influence he aspired to through his exposure to old-time Appalachian music & progressive bluegrass. Mason was raised in two mountain towns between Virginia & North Carolina, so these musical genes are inherited.
This 10-piece self-titled Mason Via (Drops April 25/Mountain Fever Records/38:55) was produced by Aaron Ramsey (mandolin) & Mason (vocals/guitar). Recorded in Virginia & designed with acoustic arrangements, lots of flatpicking & energetic playing. Via’s voice is a country-folk high pitch, but never whiny. Never. Somewhat in a style embraced by groups like the Pure Prairie League, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Seatrain, Poco, the New Riders of the Purple Sage & Flying Burrito Brothers.
There’s quite a bit of liveliness in the primo “Melt In the Sun,” which is invigorating vocally with fiery mandolin & gasoline-fed fiddles. Even later with “Hey Don’t Go” with its driving banjo. Yeah — this would get dancers at the Saturday night barn off their asses & put their booze down for a spin across the planks with their ladies.
Mason tells a good story, too. “Fireball” has persuasive musicianship. A well-conceived tune & shows that Via doesn’t rely on country cliches. The late John Hartford would’ve enjoyed what Mason has done with this genre. Especially with another exceptional ripper found in “There Goes Another One.” Aside from being a lively country stomp, it has dynamics. Mason Via sings with all the vigor of someone who tries to sing anything by Gilbert & Sullivan or the jazz composers Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. It’s challenging. He succeeds.
Via didn’t forget Country poignancy. His warmth comes with “Til’ I Don’t Love You Anymore,” which George Jones or Gram Parsons could’ve covered. It’s an excellent ballad & sung with skill, sincerity & charm. In a word, lovely. The right female voice — maybe Alison Krauss or the late Skeeter Davis – would make big men cry. This would be a jukebox smash in a bar. And would sell more drinks & tissues.
The bluegrass returns on “Oh Lordy Me,” & sounds like a hat tip to John Denver. It has that “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” sing-along energy. Then there’s “Falling” – breathtakingly good.
This Mason Via knows what he’s doing. So, when does he record with Alison Krauss? This is a fun listen. Start here. Believe the boy from NYC. Me.
Highlights – “Melt In the Sun,” “Fireball,” “There Goes Another One,” “Til’ I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Oh Lordy Me,” “Hey Don’t Go,” “Falling,” & “Mountain Lullaby” (excellent).
Musicians – Jason Davis (banjo), Jeff Partin (bass/resophonic guitar), Jim Van Cleve (fiddle), Kyser George (guitar), Brooks Forsyth & Nick Goad (harmony vocals), Rhonda Vincent (vocals) with Ronnie Bowman & Junior Sisk (add’l vocals on “Oh Lordy Me”).
CD color photos courtesy of Blair Delvecchio. CD @ https://masonvia.com/about
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Interview: Mason Via on American Idol, Joining OCMS, and Upcoming Opry Debut