I'm in my mid 20s, from the middle east and have found Mason Ruffner by luck and fell in love with his songs ever since. He's legendary with the guitar and it's a shame that he's not that recognized
When this came out, many other musicians were on to his style of playing and the lot, Clapton went to see him in the crowd. He was only given airplay for his two hits off this album,and i can only speak for a couple of stations at that time. He is one of those artists that you hear for a while and then gone. As a listener, you have to grab up those gems and then follow that music where it leads, many artist are like that. If you have a good ear, you dont miss.
I was 23 yo traveling cross country by myself in 1989. "Gypsy Blood" was my theme song for the trip. Stopped at Tipitina's in New Orleans to see Dr. John play. Who should I meet, but Mason Ruffner himself. Nice guy...he appreciated my story and that his song inspired me.
Saw Mason at a bar in my home town back in the 90's. Really nice guy. He sat with us at our table and talked with my friend and me for quite a while between sets.
Growing up with him, I never imagined what he could become. He was a number of years older; I went to school wth his younger sisters. He had to overcome some major problems to get to where he succeeded in what he wanted to do. He's widely admired~rightly so~for his skill. Hometown boy definitely made good!
My best friend Dennis Rutkin played second guitar with him in New Orleans, he passed away a few years ago and every time I hear Mason I hear Dennis rest in peace brother.
Saw him open for Jimmy Page on the Outrider tour in 1988. Wish he would have got more exposure in his career. Not enough of this kind of music in the mainstream .
We have good content FM-Radio at that time in Austria. Now we have only sHitRadio. When they featured that song I directly orded that Album in the 80ths and I still love every song of it. I'd like to see a Masons Ruffer live performance, but I heard he is living in Denmark now and he quit playing.
I stood in the recordshop, VinylMania in the 1987, listening to John`s (owner/DJ) Loud playing this record for us few selected … bought this hot US pressed Vinyl, and I was sold....This record just blow my mind, and it still does….every tune in this album is AWESOME..... Thank you dear Mason Ruffner...
Talk about being ahead of the curve, MR's got his old Pontiac de-badged back in 1987. There is nothing NOT to like about this video....old car, old guitar, young hottie w feet on dash...
For sure one of the most underrated shredders of all time. It amazes me how some guys get all the glory for average playing and then you got some killer dudes like Mason lurking in the shadows who can blow their doors off.
Mason Ruffner and myself taken last nite 1/31/2015 at the "Buzzard Bar" in the Cypress Creek Café in Wimberley, Texas!!! he played 3 sets, first concert I saw was 1968 and this was one of the most powerful performances of all time, Steve E. u must be listening to too much radio crap, Dylan said "the greatest guitar instrumentalist on the planet"!!!!!!!!! every song I've ever heard Mr. Ruffner play is a legendary masterpiece, he was just outta this world last night, I'm still so stoked I can't get to sleep and its 10:00am Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mason Ruffner, up their w the best of em, aslo comin out w a new album very, very soon, I suggest everyone get everthing he has and the new one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's like a fine bottle of wine, he just gets better w age!!
I'll never forget the first time I saw Mason Ruffner at the 1987 NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival. I was in awe, he blew the place away and I have never understood why he didn't achieve wider appeal. But I still listen and imagine myself with the breeze blowing through my young hair, LOL, and Mason shredding lead guitar behind his head! Those were the good ole days.!!! :)
I was just going through my hundreds of albums and pulled this one out. Haven't heard it for so long! Watching this video was so great! He was like the second coming of Hendrix!
man I remember when good old WNEW FM in NYC simulcast a concert back in '87 to promote this album, this cat was it...and am still hooked on old Mason ruff!!
Mason Ruffner Blues Band was the house band at the Old Absinthe House Bar in New Orleans...early-mid eighties...I had the good fortune to be a bartender there, and got to hear him play every night...
I saw/heard Mason shortly after this tune came out. He walked outside to get some air. He walked over to check out my chopper (long before they became "Discovery Channel trendy"). I've got a pic of Mason standing next to it. Gotta find it and post it. This tune is simply bruisin'! Ride safe.
Love Mason Ruffner! Met him at a show in Rome NY back in the late 80's when I was a drummer! Would love to see him perform again this time with my boys who grew up listening to Gypsy Blood and all the other great Mason Ruffner songs!
The thing about a lead 12 is they sound great turned all the way up. Pretty sure Billy Gibbons used one to record in the past. Way to loud to play in your house, but mic'ed in a med club....mighty fine!
Not to forget Mason's playing with Bob Dylan. If you play guitar for Bob Dylan -- you'd better be good. Mason qualified. (There are times listening to Ruffner's studio albums that I felt, like Mark Knopfler on "Sultan's of Swing", that Mason sounded like Bob Dylan -- with singing lessons). Mason should have been huge. Great guitar, wonderful vocals and terrific songs. What more can you ask for?
Where and how is Mason Ruffner now? Such an amazing guitarist. When Jimmy Page admires you and helps move your amps for you, dang you’re something special.
I really like this guy... awesome vibe and playing and he was born in a great year! His strat in this video is for sale on Reverb which is how I found the link to his name. You don't have to play a million notes or be flashy to be awesome and this cat proves it. Groove on. Hope to run into you someday.
what a great song.. but most people the great drumming.. interviewed Mason and he came alive when I mentioned it and he said, oh man Dave Charles was so good...
MISS HIM STILL HERE IN NEW ORLEANS! PLAY THIS VIDEO ALL THE TIME..THERE IS ONLY TWO GUITAR SLINGERS THAT COME CLOSE TO HIM..HIS FRIENDS JOHNNY J (HERE IN N.O.) AND KING RICHARD (CURRENTLY IN TYLER TEXAS)...ONE DAY THEY MUST ALL PLAY ON THE SAME STAGE!
For those of you who don't believe your own ears and think he's lousy, none other than Carlos Santana heard him from the streets of New Orleans and immediately had him tour with him.
Couldn't agree more about the wish for more of this on mainstream radio..You know how it is though,if you don't suck someone and your music doesn't sound like every other band that makes the suits money..99.9% of American radio SUCKS !!!
Why do you people think he does not perform in the States? He plays in San Antonio all the time and he's been playing in Memphis for years.......what the ???? His sister Martha,,,,,,,oh ya, you know his sister............mmmmmmmmm
![The Dead South - In Hell I'll Be In Good Company [Official Music Video]](/img/1.gif)
I'm in my mid 20s, from the middle east and have found Mason Ruffner by luck and fell in love with his songs ever since. He's legendary with the guitar and it's a shame that he's not that recognized
When this came out, many other musicians were on to his style of playing and the lot, Clapton went to see him in the crowd. He was only given airplay for his two hits off this album,and i can only speak for a couple of stations at that time. He is one of those artists that you hear for a while and then gone. As a listener, you have to grab up those gems and then follow that music where it leads, many artist are like that. If you have a good ear, you dont miss.
A musician's musician. He's played with Bob Dylan and a host of others. So glad you found out about him. I'm in my late 60's.
One badass rockabilly anthem we don't appreciate enough!
I was 23 yo traveling cross country by myself in 1989. "Gypsy Blood" was my theme song for the trip. Stopped at Tipitina's in New Orleans to see Dr. John play. Who should I meet, but Mason Ruffner himself. Nice guy...he appreciated my story and that his song inspired me.
Truly under-appreciated, like many others. Deserved to be much better known.
One of the greats , searing guitar player with great songs
Saw Mason at a bar in my home town back in the 90's. Really nice guy. He sat with us at our table and talked with my friend and me for quite a while between sets.
Remember this from when I was a little kid, my parents liked this. Ain't heard it in probably 35 years.
Growing up with him, I never imagined what he could become. He was a number of years older; I went to school wth his younger sisters. He had to overcome some major problems to get to where he succeeded in what he wanted to do. He's widely admired~rightly so~for his skill. Hometown boy definitely made good!
Like...what kind of major problems? Thx
Saw him open up for Jimmy Page in 1988 El Paso TX instantly became a fan!
My best friend Dennis Rutkin played second guitar with him in New Orleans, he passed away a few years ago and every time I hear Mason I hear Dennis rest in peace brother.
Saw him open for Jimmy Page on the Outrider tour in 1988. Wish he would have got more exposure in his career. Not enough of this kind of music in the mainstream .
got the album when it first came out it was awesome so underrated!!
So you're the guy!? JK - I did too. :-)
We have good content FM-Radio at that time in Austria. Now we have only sHitRadio. When they featured that song I directly orded that Album in the 80ths and I still love every song of it. I'd like to see a Masons Ruffer live performance, but I heard he is living in Denmark now and he quit playing.
One of the greatest songs of my life!!!
Oh hell yes!
MASON RUFFNER = Number ONE in my Book !!!
My boyfriend owned the guitar he is playing here.
I saw his band open for The Ringo All-star band in 1989 and he floored me! It was the freshest part of the show.
A classic hi energy fast tempo by a obscure but great guitarist real rock star...Whoa....
I stood in the recordshop, VinylMania in the 1987, listening to John`s (owner/DJ) Loud playing this record for us few selected
… bought this hot US pressed Vinyl, and I was sold....This record just blow my mind, and it still does….every tune in this album is AWESOME..... Thank you dear Mason Ruffner...
Talk about being ahead of the curve, MR's got his old Pontiac de-badged back in 1987.
There is nothing NOT to like about this video....old car, old guitar, young hottie w feet on dash...
For sure one of the most underrated shredders of all time. It amazes me how some guys get all the glory for average playing and then you got some killer dudes like Mason lurking in the shadows who can blow their doors off.
markomatic 3000 Mindboggling...oh so right mark
I am pretty sure he does Studio Work ...he surely is good enough.
That outro solo is straight 🔥....I saw him live at the time this was out...He had a hot band.
3:43 to the end is one of the best song endings ever, IMHO.
Been listening to this song all day love Ruff's music ! :)
Mason Ruffner and myself taken last nite 1/31/2015 at the "Buzzard Bar" in the Cypress Creek Café in Wimberley, Texas!!! he played 3 sets, first concert I saw was 1968 and this was one of the most powerful performances of all time, Steve E. u must be listening to too much radio crap, Dylan said "the greatest guitar instrumentalist on the planet"!!!!!!!!! every song I've ever heard Mr. Ruffner play is a legendary masterpiece, he was just outta this world last night, I'm still so stoked I can't get to sleep and its 10:00am Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mason Ruffner, up their w the best of em, aslo comin out w a new album very, very soon, I suggest everyone get everthing he has and the new one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's like a fine bottle of wine, he just gets better w age!!
Charles Basky Sounds good wine and Ruffner
Oh hell yes!
Its Amazing!!!!
Another hot Dave Edmunds production about the same time he produced major hits by by Fabulous Thunderbirds and Stray Cats.
always been a fan...great musician, great song...lucky to have seen Mason at Tipitina's in the 90's...Daniel Lanois in the front watching ...
I'll never forget the first time I saw Mason Ruffner at the 1987 NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival. I was in awe, he blew the place away and I have never understood why he didn't achieve wider appeal. But I still listen and imagine myself with the breeze blowing through my young hair, LOL, and Mason shredding lead guitar behind his head! Those were the good ole days.!!! :)
I seen at old absinthe bar nawlens
Stephen Spodek - He's a headliner at the free Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest today (10/20/19)
I was just going through my hundreds of albums and pulled this one out. Haven't heard it for so long! Watching this video was so great! He was like the second coming of Hendrix!
man I remember when good old
WNEW FM in NYC simulcast a concert back in '87 to promote this album, this cat was it...and am still hooked on old Mason ruff!!
Mason Ruffner Blues Band was the house band at the Old Absinthe House Bar in New Orleans...early-mid eighties...I had the good fortune to be a bartender there, and got to hear him play every night...
Oh hell yes!
I saw/heard Mason shortly after this tune came out. He walked outside to get some air. He walked over to check out my chopper (long before they became "Discovery Channel trendy"). I've got a pic of Mason standing next to it. Gotta find it and post it. This tune is simply bruisin'! Ride safe.
Off a GREAT CD!
That boy can play...👏👏👏
Haven’t heard this one in a long time. I knew WNEW-FM gave this quite a few spins. Good tune,rocks the body and the soul.
Love Mason Ruffner! Met him at a show in Rome NY back in the late 80's when I was a drummer! Would love to see him perform again this time with my boys who grew up listening to Gypsy Blood and all the other great Mason Ruffner songs!
Saw him at the Bon Ton Room in Houston Tx back in the 90s. Hi signed my Gypsy Blood cassette cover. Good stuff.
One of the most underrated and mostly forgotten talents of all-time.
I absolutely loved Mason Ruffner. Such great talent--too bad he was so underrated.
saw him live in a club in colo. spgs. 90's full show
marshall lead 12 mic'd
no joke..... dude is fearless
He bilged in NYC, which probably that he just didn't want it. I can understand that.
The thing about a lead 12 is they sound great turned all the way up. Pretty sure Billy Gibbons used one to record in the past. Way to loud to play in your house, but mic'ed in a med club....mighty fine!
Not to forget Mason's playing with Bob Dylan. If you play guitar for Bob Dylan -- you'd better be good. Mason qualified. (There are times listening to Ruffner's studio albums that I felt, like Mark Knopfler on "Sultan's of Swing", that Mason sounded like Bob Dylan -- with singing lessons). Mason should have been huge. Great guitar, wonderful vocals and terrific songs. What more can you ask for?
Thanks, I am not surprised. I don't think he wanted New York.
Well said
Very cool. I like this song.
Solid 80's rock album
Where and how is Mason Ruffner now? Such an amazing guitarist. When Jimmy Page admires you and helps move your amps for you, dang you’re something special.
i have this album...love this sound..and he plays well i thought he was gonna be a lil more popular ..great song
Great guitar and song, but man, is that drumming ever hot.. I interviewed him and he came alive when I mentioned it.. Dave Charles is so good...
Saw Mason at the Bottom Line in NYC in the fall of 1987. Great show!
saw him in new orleans 1983. great show.
Saw him at the Bon Ton Room in Houston Tx back in the 90s. Good stuff.
Always dug this guy!!
Great player and showman ..whoa!
Good friend of Jimmy Vaughn...both sublime
Excellent project. Reminds me of the video taken on one of the twin towers, NYC . Wind will blow in your face for sure.
Outstanding. Still have my original cassette.
You are driving a Pontiac like me .
He opened for The Firm in May 1986 at the Concord Pavilion. What a great night that was!
Texas boy phew nice...liked to play in New Orleans with some greats.
I really like this guy... awesome vibe and playing and he was born in a great year! His strat in this video is for sale on Reverb which is how I found the link to his name. You don't have to play a million notes or be flashy to be awesome and this cat proves it. Groove on. Hope to run into you someday.
I heard him on rockline on wiyy 98 rock and john parr and fabulous thunderbirds mason ruffner is a great guitarist like jimmy vaughn and john parr
NICE STUFF!
Saw him open for the Firm in Chicago on May 6th 1986.
AWESOME
I wore this cassette out !!
Great !
Never saw another one like him...
super cool...."T" is for Tejas!!
Major league talent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome.
what a great song.. but most people the great drumming.. interviewed Mason and he came alive when I mentioned it and he said, oh man Dave Charles was so good...
Ow yeah gypsy forever
First heard him play in New Orleans at Maxwells Cafe1985.
Good music kills hate dawg's ya know one hit,2 hit it's ALL good. Dudes a player in any fucking universe
Been listening from the the first time I heard it. it's 2022 3 decades almost.
Eighth beats ...whoa...
MISS HIM STILL HERE IN NEW ORLEANS! PLAY THIS VIDEO ALL THE TIME..THERE IS ONLY TWO GUITAR SLINGERS THAT COME CLOSE TO HIM..HIS FRIENDS JOHNNY J (HERE IN N.O.) AND KING RICHARD (CURRENTLY IN TYLER TEXAS)...ONE DAY THEY MUST ALL PLAY ON THE SAME STAGE!
For those of you who don't believe your own ears and think he's lousy, none other than Carlos Santana heard him from the streets of New Orleans and immediately had him tour with him.
GOT IT!!!!!! VINYL!!!!!!
True Tejas party-on-the-patio sound. A great rant here.
Only 163 subscribers on his channel? How that could be?!
does anyone know were or what mason is doing now days?? and will he ever play again ,the guy was sooo good!
Har hört honom live. Mycket bra!!!!
8th beats to keep hi speed tempo...genius
Couldn't agree more about the wish for more of this on mainstream radio..You know how it is though,if you don't suck someone and your music doesn't sound like every other band that makes the suits money..99.9% of American radio SUCKS !!!
Heard him for the first time today on Joe Bonnamassa's Sirius XM show. Thought it was Hendrix at first.
I want a tooth like Mason's!
Listen closely during the solo you can hear a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughn in there.
Why do you people think he does not perform in the States? He plays in San Antonio all the time and he's been playing in Memphis for years.......what the ???? His sister Martha,,,,,,,oh ya, you know his sister............mmmmmmmmm
This is sadly underrated
He sent me a post card !
Feels like rattlesnake rock 'n roll!
Me too... :-)
If he sucked so bad, why did he open for The FIRM? (Jimmy's band)
i saw him live in colorado springs , club date..,mid 90's...marshall lead 12
they say jimmy paige is a big fan
sure???... Sir Mason Ruffner lives in the stinky swamps of Landvetter, Sweden ??? ….I must go there....
Nozzin special
I definitly here Hendix in his voice
playing what he plays. no jimi, no srv, but better than me.
The guy had a bad show in NYC about 20+ years back. I really don't blame him, probably a good thing for him: look at Molly Ringwald.
Harlan McNees ripped on this one too!
Ive never in my life been as offended being part gypsy as I am now. Theres not nearly enough stealing
Okay, it's raining/been raining, and he has the top down? Perhaps he is planning to raise trout in the back seat?
A little bit of Dire Straits
Driven music