Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title:  + Fours
Company: ABC
Catalog: ABE 12009
Year: 1977
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: 45,rpm 4 track EP; UK pressing
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6319
Price: $15.00

I didn't realize that ABC released a series of these + Fours EPs ... I've known and owned the Steely Dan set for years, but had never seen this Dave Mason until recently. Interestingly, at least to my mind the Steely Dan set kind of made sense - a 45 rpm, four track EP meant to introduce English audiences to an American act that hadn't enjoyed much commercial success in the UK. Given Dave Mason was English and had enjoyed considerable success as a founding member of Traffic and as a solo act, I'm not quite sure what drove the release of this collection.

Regardless, 1977's "+ Fours" pulled together three tracks from Mason's 1970 solo debut "Alone Together". Easily his best solo album, 'Only You Know and I Know', 'Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving', and 'World In Change' were among the standout tracks on that album. The oddball track here was a live version of Traffic's 'Pearly Queen'. I'm too lazy to actually check it out, but my guess is that it was pulled from Mason's 1973 "Headkeeper" album which included a side of live material recorded at L.A. Troubadour Club. Simply because it was somewhat obscure and showcased Mason's frequently overlooked guitar prowess, it was the EP's most interesting number.

"+ Fours" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Only You Know and I Know (Dave Mason) -
2.) Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving (Dave Mason) -

(side 2)
1.) Pearly Queen (Jim Capalidi - Steve Winwood) -
2.) World In Change (Dave Mason) -