CB was by now a Traffic fan. ‘Low Spark’ didn’t do anything to dispel that. The opening cut continues with their familiar sound. Winwood’s vocals and some nice flute from Chris Wood. Softer, folksy tune which starts to build and feels like it wants to bust out. The title track fades in with an infectious piano riff, percussion, sax and gets into a very cool groove. Winwood adds some vocals and great lyrics. It turns into a Traffic jam. Fades out. It was songs like this that made this band so appealing to CB. I was along for this twelve minute groove. Love this tune. Jim Capaldi picks up the pace with the last cut on side one. He takes the vocal. Blues/rocker and I dug it. Again they get into their jam mode. I also liked Winwood’s guitar. Side one was sounding good.
Two new members Ric Grech and Jim Gordon contribute the next song ‘Rock n Roll Stew’. And it is a rock n roll stew. Was digging this tune. Traffic was a band that was always ready to break out into a jam. Another change of pace with ‘Many a Mile to Freedom’. It didn’t hurt to have a vocalist like Steve Winwood. The last song ‘Rainmaker’ takes the band through their different styles starting out with a folksy traditional sound that changes into a jazzy bluesy rock workout. It all gets kind of funky.
CB loved this record and this band. They were getting a lot of play at his pad. One of his top bands. So much to like about their music. It covered a lot of bases. The Winwood, Capaldi, Wood nucleus was still there but the new band members, Gordon, Grech and percussionist Rebop Kwaku Baah brought some good stuff to the table.
I spent a lot of time with this record. Cool album jacket. Little taste below.
I only know some of the songs from a compilation but I love the title track.
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Traffic are easily one of my favorite bands. I have listened to them regularly over the years and followed their solo detours also. Steve Winwood has been making great music for a lot of years.
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“The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”…odd album title but excellent music. It’s good music for sitting in a chair and having a beer. The music is nothing like the pop stuff that Steve Winwood did in the 80s…this is classic 70’s era rock music. It’s pretty eclectic…
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One of the many reasons I dug this band was the different styles they would take their music. I took what I could get with Winwood’s pop stuff but prefer his other side. I know you did a piece on Fairport’s version of ‘John Barlycorn’. Traffic’s take was the first time i heard it. Love this record and this band.
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Morning, CB.
Winwood has had a long, long career and has been in influential. bands. Despite all of that, I think he might be best known for Gimme Some Lovin, which probably was the first hit he had.
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Amazing he’s been doing it that long. ‘Gimme’ is such a great tune. He had a few with Spencer Davis, I’m a huge fan of his work. Seen him on a couple docs, The Muscle Shoals one and the Beware of Mr. Baker. He must be drinking from the fountain of youth, he looks great. Later Neil.
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I don’t know this one at all… in fact, I don’t know too much Traffic! Or Winwood for that matter (I have Arc Of A Diver, but that’s it). I shall check this out.
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I think ‘Diver’ was his second solo record. Departure from Traffic but still, because it’s Winwood I was along for the ride.. Without a doubt one of CB’s favorite music makers. Feelin Alright, Dear Mr Fantasy , 40,000 Headmen, Glad … I guess I’m going on a Traffic binge today.
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So, what you’re saying is I should get me some Winwood and Traffic, aye?
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I’m saying CB should go listen to them. Merle/Traffic/Winwood day. (Still delving into the Sadies and digging it)
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Glad you’re digging the Sadies. They never get old.
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Great album, song, terrific band. It’s a band with this kind of musical and instrumental diversity that is sorely lacking in today’s rock market.
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If CB was to hire a press secretary it would be you Doc. You summed up Traffic in your 3 sentences. I love this band like you love some of your favorites. I guess they call bands like this “Jam bands now a days. They were a lot more than that but they sure did like to stretch out. Winwood is a talent and though he is not the slick player on the guitar like some of the guys we like, I do like his chops and his sound.
(Falda dropped the book review. A few spelling mistakes, CB’s fault, but I like the take. I could have went on. I’ve been using “Dagmars” I love that slang shit).
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Oh, yeah. Winwood is good on the guitar. I’m with you on Traffic all the way. I’ll take a look at the book review. Thanks in advance. That should pump the sales up from 1 millionth on Amazon to 999,999.!
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Thought you’d dig Steve’s playing.
I’m still chuckling at some of things from the book. My gal is going to read it.
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She’ll be scandalized!
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CB, read your review on my book. Thanks for the kind words. Maybe if I get enough of a groundswell I can approach a publisher again.
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I’m waiting for the next one. I’m adding you to my list of favorite writers from Philly. Pete Dexter being the other one.
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The short list.
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I really don’t know any Traffic at all.
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I almost think you’re kidding. With your eclectic tastes and your folks tastes that’s a bit of a surprise. I know you like the jams, so you might dig certain songs
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Great album. Might be my favorite Traffic album. After Mason left Steve, Wood and Capaldi took Traffic to a new level
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Good comment. I like the Mason contributions but I do dig where they went later with the music. Really dig it.
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Superb album.
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CB is a Traffic freak. I recall a Traffic piece from VC when I first started on your writings. I seen a recent studio version of ‘John Barleycorn’ from Winwood. Man was it good. I have to get some of whate Steve is drinking because he looks 40.
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