Several years ago at SXSW, I was minding my own business in the backyard of Stubb’s when a Mason Jennings set started, and I was damn near trampled to death as every other woman in the joint made a squealing beeline for the stage. Women ran, sloshing beers be damned, to be closer to the man with the acoustic guitar. I guess that makes him “dreamy folk singer-songwriter Mason Jennings.”
Time to get excited, ladies: For Blood of Man — due Sept. 15 from Jack Johnson’s dreamy folk label, Brushfire Records — Mason Jennings has plugged in. I rarely quote from bio copy, but Jennings wrote this himself about the decision to go electric, and it’s actually quite evocative:
“It all kinda started at Christmas when my sons and I were hanging ornaments on the tree. We have an ornament that is a little electric guitar and my six-year-old son was looking at it and asked, “What’s this, Dad?” I said, “What??? It’s an electric guitar.” To which he replied, “What’s that?” Well, I was kinda horrified so I ran downstairs and pulled out an old hollowbody electric (my wife’s) and an amp and I came upstairs, plugged it in and ripped into “My Generation” by The Who. My one son actually climbed me in point-2 seconds and leaped off my shoulders while the other one looked like I had plugged the lights on the tree into him. They flew around the room dancing for two straight wonderful hours. I got the point. I grew up playing only electric and it was like remembering how to be free. For many reasons, it was so needed. So I got free.”
We’re streaming “The Field,” a song about parenting in wartime. The electric guitar on this track reminds me a bit of early Liz Phair. It’s not that far from the acoustic sound Jennings made his name on, actually. Just… louder.
What do you think, Mixers? Still dreamy?
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Comments (1-15) of 27 Add your comment
I haven’t been too big a fan of the singer/songwriter thing lately, but I kinda dig this. Whether or not he’s dreamy, I’ll leave to others to decide . . .
Mason rocks whether acoustic or electrified. Dreamy? I don’t know about that…
This is great – why haven’t I heard of this dude before?
I’m so glad mason has another album coming out!
Maybe you shouldn’t take your first experience at a show as your final verdict in sentencing him to a “dreamboat” life term. I went to a show this year and it was nothing like that. You sound like you have some jealousy issues or maybe your man crush has extended past the comfort of just being a crush.
Mason is well known in the Minneapolis area. Great music, talented artist.
Mason is a stud…He has a cult following wherever he plays!
If you enjoy this check out his first few albums, a self titled one, Birds Flying Away, and Use Your Voice, Hell Buy Everything hes produced, its truly amazing! Concerts are also second to none!
Agree and agree,
Brilliant musician and such a lovely person, I was at a show once, sitting cross legged, front row watching his awsomness and he makes you feel so calm-
Would love if he came back to the UK for the release of this record.
Listen to his other albums while you wait.
i’ve seen mason 9 times and he never disappoints. looking forward to this album very much!
9? I’m envious.
Sounds Great! September 15 can’t get here soon enough. Thanks for giving us a taste of Mason’s new tunes.
Mason Jennings = ALWAYS AMAZING!!!! I can’t wait for the new CD, everything he does is so creative, beautiful, and heartfelt! He is awesome in concert, I have only seen him once and I liked him before i saw him live, once I saw him live though I was AMAZED and have every CD and LOVE every one of them
Mason Jennings writes fantastic songs, whether you are male or female. I’d assume the dreamy is true, when my GF saw a picture of him on Pandora, she goes “That guy Mason you listen to a lot is really cute” Of course, she thinks I’m cute, so her judgment is questionable….
Brilliant!!!
Mason thanks you for bring more music to us ppl good music. Mason can always find a way to capture a moment and put it in a song so everyone can feel it. USE YOUR VOICE
ohhh Dreamy god not to everyone but there are some Fine ladies at his shows
I’ve been listening to an acoustic version of this on YouTube for a while. I love the electric version. When I first started listening to this song I loved it. My friend told me I should read the book “The Field” by Lynne McTaggart. It gave the song a whole new meaning to me. Mason is a genius!