I heard this song when I was a kid. My brother had The Best Of Traffic album and I used to sneak listen to this when he wasn’t around. I’ve been listening to this groove ever since just about as long as I’ve been alive. This song is just really good. I could sing these lyrics in my sleep and probably do.
Dave Mason on lead vocals with Steve Winwood backing him up. The song starts slow then builds as the band gets into it. The piano riff does it for me but it’s Chris Woods sax that puts the cherry on it. What great music to be exposed to as a kid. I could listen to a 20 minute jam on this baby. Oh yeah Jim Capaldi’s drums and percussion are a big part of it.
Traffic is a CB favorite band. I started early with their music and this song was one of the reasons I got caught up with it. What a good band what a cool song.
(We all know Joe Cocker did a killer cover also)
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Yep.
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Yep. Do you still follow or pull out Mason records?
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Can’t say I do, CB. His contributions to early Traffic were terrific, but I never really followed his solo career. Stayed with Winwood, I guess.
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Yeah I stuck with Steve also but I did like Mason’s first few solo albums. Lot of the same tunes he contributed to Traffic. But he did pen this one but it felt like the whole band was involved.
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Agreed. I wonder if it peeved SW that Feelin’ Allright was one of Traffic’s most loved songs?
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His input was all over it plus he probably made a few $$$ which always helps with the “peeved” thing. Mason always seemed more of a folky/pop/solo guy to me so where did he fit in with the band thing? They were heading for those long jazz style workouts. The boys could of took this song on a long jam.
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Traffic rule. Unfairly relegated to tier two.
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Not with CB
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Good song from their debut album. Very nice coverversion by Joe Cocker.
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Yeah I love the song even after countless spins. Joe more than puts his stamp on it.
Same question I posed to Bruce, have you kept up with Mason or still listen once in a while?
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There are a few wellknown coverversions (Blind Faith, Joe Cocker, Grand Funk Railroad). Yeah, and Dave Mason also made not a bad version of his own title, which he wrote for Traffic in 1968 … feel alright?
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Never heard Grand Funks version
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There are so many good cover versions of the Traffic classic. The one by Grand Funk is definitely one of them.
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Another I didn’t know. I’m still trying to find my way into ‘John Barleycorn’ at the moment.
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That surprises me. I thought out of all the songs I dig that this would be a well known one. I hope ‘Barleycorn’ hits you at the right time. I love that album.
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Good combo of lyrics and music. Traffic were a unique band, the likes of which you can’t find anymore.
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They were certainly one of my favorites. Still are. Amazing how long Steve Winwood has been around. I seen him do a new acoustic version of John Barleycorn. Fantastic. Another amazing thing is how good he looks.
I’ll pop over and drop a comment on your Stones take.
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Winwood is great. Love when he collaborates with Clapton.
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Yes, we’ve talked about that pair before. I have that ‘Madison Square Gardens’ concert they did. I mentioned it before. Real good stuff and of coarse Blind Faith.
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Man, I don’t know enough Traffic. I tried the Barleycorn album a while back and never really went back to it. That was a while ago… and they’ve been on my list to revisit… but, y’know, time.
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I don’t know if it’s a hard sell. It’s second nature to me. Try a couple of their jam tunes. ‘Roll Right Stones’ builds into a cool groove. ‘Mr Fantasy’, ‘Low Spark’, ‘Dream Gerrard’ (jazzy groove)
Yeah I know the time thing.
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It’s probably a case of there being so much other stuff out there that I want to listen to. I will go back to it… maybe even today…
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Holy mackerel, I actually don’t recall having listened to the original version of this tune, even though I dig Steve Winwood and Traffic! I’ve known and always dug Cocker’s take for a long time. In any case, it sounds great!
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That’s funny. I just assumed all the music people in this circle we have would all know this one. Nice to find a treasure from a band you like. I’m just repeating myself when I say how much I like this.
Cocker’s version is right up there. Love what he did with it also.
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Never listened to the OG before. (I had to pull it up on spotfiy. Your link isn’t available to me.) I like it.
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Great tune. Interesting and diverse talent in that band.
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Definitely one of my favourite tunes from Middle School days way back, especially when I heard Joe Cocker sing it! Traffic was quite a group, very jazzy, very willing to break boundaries especially with the Low Spark of High Heeled Boys!
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I came to this song by way of the original (Joe does a great version). Traffic are a top band in my record pile and you are absolutely right about ‘Low Spark’
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How about “Freedom Rider”
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I did a take on that whole album. I think you’ll find that CB really digs this band. Unique and bringing all sorts of influences into the music. great stuff.
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Totally agree!
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I’ve come to appreciate these guys a lot. John Barleycorn Must Die, Dear Mr Fantasy…Feelin’ Alright is great as well.
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Traffic was there early for my ears same time as Cream. I still listen to them a lot. Those albums you mentioned are musts.
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