TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I've been reading all about Steve Winwood in this month's The Word magazine and despite working in record shops for yonks I'm not sure I've ever conciously heard a Traffic album, despite it being the sort of thing I think I'd probably enjoy. I think I'm about ready now, so, where should I start?

Hole in my Shoe... though that wasn't an album was it?

The first album "Mr Fantasy" is fantastic as is the second, self-titled "Traffic" but the album that really got me is "John Barleycorn Must Die", which was their "re-union" album (albeit they'd only been split up a year and a half) after Winwood's next project, Blind Faith, collapsed after 6 months.

mr fantasy is definitely the way forward
but i always recommend going in order of release for a defunct band recently discovered
amazon has everything worth having for under a fiver

I'd go for "Heaven is in your mind"  ;)

Wise words as always, Jim.

"John Barleycorn Must Die" especially for it's title track, although the whole album is that unique blend of rock, jazz and some folk that characterized the band of that time. I bought a newer CD version of this classic album in the "CD Tent" at Cropredy last year, following Steve Wiwood's performance at the festival. The CD has a number of bonus tracks, ou-takes, etc. Highly recommended.

Just remembered- the Sunday Times, "Culture" supplement had an article/longish interview with Steve Winwood about 2 weeks ago- may have been the Sunday before last- may be worth a "websearch". Interesting article- he now lives in the Cotswolds, and composes music for the local church choir!

For me, the definitive Traffic album was 1971's "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys". The title track remains a masterpiece to this day. There's a 2002 best of called summat like "The Collection" which has most if not all their greatest tracks on it.

Incidentally, Steve Winwoods 2nd comeback album in the 1980's, "Back In The High Life" is sheer exuberant excellence.

All the above available in my local library for a quid a week and probably yours too.

Total agreement on 'Low Spark'..... Musical perfection from note one..

'John Barleycorn' is definitely a 'must hear' also although, strictly speaking, not a Traffic album.. It was recorded as a Steve Winwood solo album but, as the only musicians on it were Traffic musicians it became a Traffic album by default..

Not too much wrong with 'Shoot out at the Fantasy factory' either although it got slammed at the time of release..

If feeling really adventurous you might enjoy the reunion album.. It's a little inconsistent but has some great moments - very underrated..

All things considered I don't think Steve Winwood is capable of cooking a total turkey  - England's glory if ever there was one

capable ought to have read 'incapable' - something Freudian going on there?

I'd forgotten all about the existence of these guys. I can't offer much in the way of album recommendations, but there's a few tracks available on spotify for those who just want a taster. It's a good way to get a feel for which albums you like best anyway.

I was 17 in '67. Just before I passed my driving test my younger sister asked to be picked up from Sheffiield City Hall one evening where Traffic were topping the bill. I offered to drive the family Mini into town to fetch her with my Dad as instructer.
He and I walked in the open side door and somehow ended up sitting on the front row watching Traffic perform their encore "Hole in My Shoe"

I look back at thinking how amusing it was that my old Dad would dream of such a thing, enjoying "our music" indeed.
At the time he was all of 50 years old.

Funny how times have changed.

Great story, Pete.  :)

Once again Mr Leslie comes up trumps "Low spark" is superb.

I was a happy bunny when they did it at cropredy last year

Brill. Low Spark had a good sleeve as well. Corners cut off. Printed inner. Wonder what the CD box is like.

Cor yes you're right it did too, I'd forgotton that

standard jewel case, i'm afraid

Universal didn't release the whole of the remastered catalogue in the UK so I'd recommend checking before you buy which version you're getting. I think Last Exit, Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory, On the Road and When the Eagle Flies are still the late 80s/early 90s versions which were pretty sub par. I picked up the newer versions in the US and they're a big improvement.

Thanks everyone, I will ease in with John Barleycorn, including extra live things, and take it from there. It's an exciting voyage of discovery and, as I may have mentioned before, the joy is that I don't have to wait for a new album before moving on!  :)

That was my way in too, even if it is basically a Winwood solo LP (which is what it was intended to be).

Not as keen on the stuff with Dave Mason - his material is nice enough, but sits the wrong side of twee to be taken seriously alongside Winwood's songs.  He eventually joined a post-Stevie Nicks Fleetwood Mac too...

For the complete novice, I imagine this will be a pretty good place to get a taster...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolutions-Very-Best-Steve-Winwood/dp/B003HBM06Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1274792202&sr=1-1

I have belatedly noticed that a "deluxe" version of John Barleycorn Must Die, with an extra live CD, was released in 2011.

It's £16.99 on Amazon, though, which is ridiculously expensive for such an old album.

Has anyone heard / got it? Is there a substantial difference to the CD version put out in the 1980s?

Don't know the first CD issue I'm afraid but this is a great sounding release. Used copy on Discogs for £11.75 (inc p&p) and it sometimes appears on eBay at a reasonable price.  Funnily enough I saw it at a market stall in Ludlow for a fiver last summer and was annoyed I didn't get it.  Other helpful comments are available too...  ;)

ps if you're really keen.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185220491342?epid=20046046170&hash=item2b2000684e:g:t8MAAOSwIFRhvoeB   ;D

 

Late to this thread so apologies if I'm retreading stuff.

Early Traffic is wonderful psychedelic era rock/pop.
Later Traffic is a prog/soul/jazz hybrid. It's all good.
Assuming you're a folkie, and who isn't on these boards ,you could start with the albumJohn Barleycorn Must Die. Only the title track has anything really to do with folk music, but its a great album all the same. Enjoy..

You could do worse than checking out the Traffic “Classic Abums” set.
For around £12.00 you get:

Mr Fantasy
Traffic
John Barleycorn Must Die
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory

Admittedly the presentation of these sets is very much a “no frills” affair, but it’s the music that counts.

They do what it says on the tin and are excellent value. I've had this one a while.