STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - MASON RUFFNER - GYPSY BLOOD

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Good morning faithful readers and welcome back to the Thursday edition of Stuck In The Vinyl Again. Today we find ourselves spinning the second record of Fort Worth born blues and rock singer, guitarist and songwriter, Mason Ruffner. The LP was released in 1987 on the CBS and Epic labels. Our copy is a promotional copy released on CBS Associated Records and produced by Dave Edmunds. It peaked at #80 on the Billboard 200 and the title track reached #11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Ruffner is an interesting guy. He was influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Reed, BB King and Robert Johnson. He left Texas and relocated to New Orleans where his reputation drew interest from Lightin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, and ZZ Top. He performed with Dylan, who also mentions him in his book, and Daniel Lanois and has toured with U2, Jimmy Page, Ringo Starr, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Carlos Santana often covers one of his songs, “Angel Love” and the title track to this album is featured in the hit film,  “Steel Magnolias”. Another interesting aspect of the guy is I can't find anything about his age except he was born in 1953. I even found an interview from the mid 80s where the reporter asked him his age and he replied, 'Me? I'm old.

Gypsy Blood 4:32

Fightin' Back 4:10

Dancin' On Top Of The World 3:39

Distant Thunder 4:40

Courage 3:45

Runnin' 4:18

Under Your Spell 3:52

Red Hot Lover 3:28

Baby, I Don't Care No More 3:30

Ain't Gonna Get It 4:34

Mark Avsec Clavinet, Congas, Keyboards, Organ

Belinda Bunt Violin

Dave Charles Drums

Raymond Cohen Violin

Mike Cookson Viola

Ben Crust Violin

Alan Dalziel Cello

John David Bass

Dave Edmunds Guitar, Producer

Liz Edwards Violin

Gypsy Strings Strings

Brian Hawkins Viola

Raymond Keenlyside Violin

James McLeod Violin

Norris Osworth Viola

Mason Ruffner Composer, Guitar, Vocals

Marilyn Senson Cello

Mark Thomas Violin

Peter Wilson Cello

David Woodcock Violin