James Mastro of The Bongos To Release Debut Solo Album

Written By Mike Greenblatt

PHOTO: James Mastro by Dina Regine

British legend Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) is a guest vocalist on the solo debut of Hoboken singer-songwriter-guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos). Dawn Of A New Error (MPress Records) will be released February 21. Produced by Tony Shanahan of the Patti Smith Group, the album features four drummers:  the late Louie Appel (Debbie Gibson/Asbury Jukes), Brian Griffin (Brandi Carlile/Black Crowes), Steve Goulding (Elvis Costello/Nick Lowe) and Bill Dubrow (Yoko Ono/Linda Thompson).

It will be a busy spring for the guitarist/bassist/mandolinist. The in-demand sideman will play in the onstage bands of Alejandro Escovedo, Southside Johnny and Lenny Kaye.  Mastro started with The Richard Lloyd Group and found fame with The Bongos. In 1992, he started fronting The Health & Happiness Show. No stranger to touring and recording, he’s played guitar in the bands of John Cale, Judy Collins, Garland Jeffreys and the late Phoebe Snow.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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