Traffic
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1966-67) - Jim Capaldi (RIP 2005) -- vocals, drums, percussion - Steve Winwood -- vocals, keyboards, guitar - Chris Wood (RIP) -- woodwinds
line up 2 (1967) - Jim Capaldi (RIP 2005) -- vocals, drums, percussion NEW - Dave Mason -- vocals, lead guitar - Steve Winwood -- vocals, keyboards, guitar - Chris Wood (RIP) -- woodwinds
line up 3 (1971-72) NEW - Reebop Kwakuh-Baah (RIP 1983) -- percussion - Jim Capaldi (RIP 2005) -- vocals, drums, percussion NEW - Roscoe Gee -- bass NEW - Jim Gordon -- drums NEW - Ric Grech (RIP) -- bass NEW - David Hood (RIP) -- bass - Steve Winwood -- vocals, keyboards, guitar - Chris Wood (RIP) -- woodwinds
line up 4 (1972-3) - Reebop Kwakuh-Baah (RIP 1983) -- percussion - Jim Capaldi (RIP 2005) -- vocals, drums, percussion NEW - Rodger Hawkins -- drums NEW- David Hood (RIP) -- bass - Steve Winwood -- vocals, keyboards, guitar - Chris Wood (RIP) -- woodwinds
supporting musicians (1973) - Barry Beckett -- keyboards - Jimmy Johnson -- clarinet
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- Reebop Baah (solo efforts) - Blind Faith (Ric Grech and Steve Winwood) - Jim Capaldi (solo efforts) - Derek and the Dominos (Jim Gordon) - Family (Ric Grech) - Fleetwood Mac (Dave Mason) - Ric Grech (solo efforts) - KGB (Jim Gordon) - Spencer Davis Group (Stevie Winwood) - Dave Mason (solo efforts) - Steve Winwood (solo efforts) - Chris Wood (solo efforts)
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Genre: rock Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: John Barleycorn Must Die Company: United Artists Catalog: UAS-5504 Year: 1970 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4691 Price: $15.00 Cost: $66.00
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Following the release of Traffic's "Last Exit" Steve Winwood's original plan was to complete his contractual obligations to Island Records (United Artists in the States) with the release of a solo set. Teamed with producer Guy Stevens, the solo sessions quickly saw Winwood joined by drummer Jim Capaldi and multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood. Their participation quickly evolved into a full fledged Traffic reunion with Winwood and Chris Blackwell taking over production responsibilities. When released in 1970 "John Barleycorn Must Die" marked a major change in musical direction. Winwood's voice remained instantly recognizable, but the band's earlier psychedelic moves was ditched in favor of an intriguing mix of jazz, traditional English folk and progressive moves. Not exactly the most helpful description, but then this is one tough album to describe. Abandoning any pretense of commercialism, tracks such as the leadoff instrumental 'Glad', the 15th century title track (I'm still curious to know what it's real about) and 'Every Mother's Son' all stretched out over five minutes giving the trio an opportunity to showcase their instrumental prowess - hard to believe this set was recorded by a trio. Not exactly the year's most commercial album, it's still a blast to hear (great Sunday morning set). Ironically, even though it was their least commercial offering, the album proved the group's sales breakthrough peaking at # 11 in the States and # 5 in the UK.
"John Barleycorn Must Die" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Glad (instrumental) (Stevie Winwood) - 6:59 2.) Freedom Rider (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 5:30 3.) Empty Pages (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 4:34
(side 2) 1.) Stranger To Himself (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 3:57 2.) John Barleycorn (traditional - arranged by Stevie Winwood) - 6:27 3.) Every Mother's Son (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 7:06
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Genre: rock Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Company: Island Catalog: ILPS-9180 Year: 1971 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gimmick cover Available: 2 Catalog ID: 4693 Price: $20.00
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Besides sporting a title that's left hundreds of thousands of fans wondering what it means, 1971's "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" stands as Traffic's commercial highpoint. It may also be their creative zenith. Recorded in London with Winwood handling production chores, the album sported an expanded line up in the form of percussionist Reebop Kwakuh-Baah, ex-Derek and the Dominos drummer Jim Gordon and former Blind Faith bassist Ric Grech. Propelled by Winwood's instantly recognizable voice, the album's readily identifiable as a Traffic release, though musically tracks such as Capaldi's 'Light Up or Leave Me Alone" and the Gordon-Grech penned rocker "Rock and Roll Stew'' give the album a surprisingly mainstream feel. While the difference wasn't overwhelming, the expanded lineup also served to give the album a slightly fuller sound (particularly when compared to "Barleycorn". Lyrically the extended jazzy title track, 'Light Up or Leave Me Alone' and 'Rock and Roll Stew' all seemed to offer up non-too-subtle commentaries on the music business' darker side. That said, the true charmers were found in the form of three mid-tempo Capaldi-Winwood compositions: 'Hidden Treasure', 'Many a Mile To Freedom' and 'Rainmaker.' To my ears it made for their most enjoyable and consistent album. Sure, there were only six tracks, but there isn't one that I would skip. There aren't many albums that you can say the same thing about. In spite of the absence of a supporting tour (Winwood came down with peritonitis forcing the band to cancel plans for a world tour), the album hit # 7 in the States.
Always loved the strange, gimmick album cover designed by Tony Wright.
"The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Hidden Treasure (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 4:16 rating: **** stars The combination of Chris Wood's folk-tinged flute, some Indian-tinged percussion moves and Winwood's silky voice made 'Hidden Treasure' a stunning way to open the album. No idea if the song had an environmental focus, or was inspired by Eastern philosophies, but you can almost feel your blood pressure dropping on this one. 2.) The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 12:10 rating: ***** stars Since initially hearing this tune while in high school (class of 1977 Brussels American High School), I've listened to it dozens of times. Powered by Winwood's dry voice and a doomsday riff, it's a mesmerizing piece of music blending folk, jazz, rock and gawd only knows what other musical idioms. And after all these years I don't have a clue what it is about. Go online and you'll see the usual inspirational suspects - sex, drugs, anti-commercialism, slamming the music business, etc. The title came from actor Michael Pollard. Capaldi and Pollard were in Morocco working on a planned movie project, Here's what Capaldi had to say about the song's roots in a 2009 interview with New York radio station WNEW: "Pollard and I would sit around writing lyrics all day, talking about Bob Dylan and The Band, thinking up ridiculous plots for the movie. Before I left Morocco, Pollard wrote in my book 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys'. For me, it summed him up. He had this tremendous rebel attitude. He walked around in his cowboy boots, his leather jacket. At the time he was a heavy little dude. It seemed to sum up all the people of that generation who were just rebels. The 'Low Spark', for me, was the spirit, high-spirited. You know, standing on a street corner. The low rider. The 'Low Spark' meaning that strong undercurrent at the street level." See not everything is about sex, drugs and rock and roll ... If you want to see twelve minutes fly by, listen to this one. Not sure of the exact date, or where it was recorded, but YouTube has a live performance from a February 1972 Santa Monica concert: Traffic - Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys - Live 72 (Full Song) - YouTube 3.)
Light
Up or Leave Me Alone (Jim Capaldi) - 4:53
rating: **** stars
(side 2) 1.) Rock and Roll Stew (Jim Gordon - Ric Grech) - 4:29 rating: ***** stars When I think of Traffic it's in terms of Winwood, Capaldi and Wood. Gordon and Grech? Huh? And yet this pair contributed what may have been the band's most commercial and enjoyable rock tune. Sure, the "touring sucks" lyrics weren't particularly original, but you had to admit it had a classic Grech bass riff, was an irritatingly catchy performance and became a longstanding staple in their live shows. Perhaps Capaldi's best Traffic lead vocal (with a weird down-the-well effect) and Winwood again showing his overlooked talents on lead guitar. Don't we all wish: "Now that I'm home again things are much better, biding my time with my little go-getter"? Dividing the track into "A" and "B" sides, it's easy to see why Island tapped it as the album's single:
- 1971's Rock and Roll Stew (Part 1)' b/w 'Rock and Roll Stew (Part 1)' (Island catalog number 1201)
YouTube has a clip of a revamped Traffic (Winwood and Capaldi are both featured), playing the song as part of the August, 1994 appearance at the infamous Woodstock II. Awesome performance with Winwood wailing away on guitar. And yes, the video includes an obligatory clip of the naked, mud-covered drunk audience: Traffic - Rock And Roll Stew - 8/14/1994 - Woodstock 94 (Official) - YouTube
2.) Many a Mile To Freedom (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 7:12 rating: *** stars I've always thought the pastoral 'Many a Mile To Freedom' was one of Traffic's prettiest melodies. It was also a great example of why I love Winwood's voice. Yeah, it is dry and pinched, but instantly recognizable and so emotive. I'll dock it a star for going on a bit too long. 3.) Rainmaker (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 7:39 rating: **** stars Opening up with Wood's flute and some mesmerizing harmony vocals, 'Rainmaker' found the band returning to their folk-influences. And then they're off to the races with Wood bringing in some Canterbury styled sax moves while the rest of the band shifts to a funkier, rock orientation jam session. Another live performance from their February 1972 Santa Monica concert: Traffic - Rainmaker - YouTube
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Genre: rock Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory Company: Island Catalog: ILPS 9224 Year: 1973 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gimmick sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $15.00
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I didn't hear it until I was in college, but my initial impression of 1973's "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" was that it was the first Traffic album to strike me as sounding fatigued and occasionally uninspired. For goodness sakes, the album even included a song entitled '(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired.'
As I remember, the album had a painful delivery. After recording "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" Winwood came down with a case of peritonitis (a painful inflammation of the inside of your abdomen) which forced Traffic to go on an extended hiatus. During the break drummer Jim Capaldi recorded his debut solo album "Oh! How We Danced" in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The recording sessions saw him working with the cream of Muscle Shoals studio musicians. When Traffic regrouped for their next studio album Capaldi convinced Winwood to work with many of the "Swampers".
Co-produced by Capaldi and Winwood, I remember thinking that since the album had been recorded with support from the cream of Muscle Shoals studio band and drummer Roger Hawkins and bassist David Hood were even listed as full members of Traffic, there would be a major change in musical direction. Perhaps the Muscle Shoals connection would even kick the band into more of a Spencer Davis Group blue-eyed soul vibe. It wasn't that I was opposed to Capaldi and Winwood's jazz-rock explorations, but some blue-eyed soul and rock and roll would have been a nice change of pace. Unfortunately with the exception of the rocking title track, that re-entrenchment didn't happen. Yes, I was disappointed by the collection.
The funny thing is over the ensuing years I've grown to appreciate this one more and more. The title track was a great little rocker. 'Evening Blue' was one of the prettiest songs they ever recorded. My initial complaints about 'Roll Right Stones' were just plain wrong. Yes, it was a long song, but if you paid attention, or simply closed your eyes, the results were hypnotic. Today its one of the few ten minute plus songs I'll gladly sit through. '(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired' demonstrated English white guys could sing Gospel with passion and conviction while highlighting the fact Winwood was a criminally overlooked lead guitarist. Even the lone Chris Woods instrumental 'Tragic Magic' was worth a spin. Perhaps the least flashy album in their catalog, it's also the unexpected sleeper.
"Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 6:05 rating: **** stars Opening up with some raging Winwood fuzz guitar, the title track reflected a genre the band always excelled at, but seldom pursued - namely conventional hard rock. Built on a strong melody supported by Hawkins capable drumming and Reebop Kwakuh-Baah deft percussion, it made for a great way to start an album. Try sitting still through this one.
Taken from a 1973 appearance on the German Musikladen television program, YouTube has a sterling live performance of the song at: Traffic (feat. Steve Winwood) - Shoot out at the Factory (1973) | LIVE - YouTube An abbreviated version of the track was released as a single in the US:
- 1973's 'Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory' b/w 'Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory' (Island catalog number ILPS 9224)
2.) Roll Right Stones (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 13:40 rating: **** stars The first couple of times I heard the extended "Roll Right Stones" it didn't really impress me. Winwood's wordless opening vocals irritated me the same way some Crosby and Nash songs did. I'm guessing it also had something to do with the fact my attention span was that of a gnat's and the song was almost 14 minutes long. You can see the disconnect. Anyhow, over time I've come to appreciate this folk and funk tinged jam. It's catchy and hypnotic and the lyrics are interesting, if obscure. I can remember being at a party and a college "know-it-all" acquaintance telling us Capaldi had written the song about Stonehenge. A drunk, Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt wearing buddy of mine went up to the guy and told him he was full of shit. He then slurringly told us the song was about the "Rollright Stones' which were a neolithic ring of stones near some little village call Long Compton. I remember being dumbfounded and asking him if he'd made that up and he said it was true. His father had been in the Air Force and a big fan of Neolithic and Bronze Age culture. When his family lived in England they would visit all sorts of out of the way places to see this kind of stuff. Years later I was listening to the album and when the song came on I Googled it and discovered my buddy Steve had been right. Anyhow, what I originally thought was dead space is now an album highlight. Curiously, later pressings of the LP chopped off two minutes of the song.
(side 2) 1.) Evening Blue (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 5:19 rating: **** stars 'Evening Blue' started out as a pretty, acoustic folk piece before morphing into a pastoral ballad. One of the sweetest tunes the band ever recorded. Here's another clip taken from their 1973 appearance on the German Musikladen television program: Traffic (feat. Steve Winwood) - Evening Blue - LIVE - YouTube 2.)
Tragic Magic (instrumental) (Chris Wood) - 6:43
rating: *** stars 3.) (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 7:31 rating: **** stars Perhaps a result of the Gospel flavor, '(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired' has always made me think of Winwood's Blind Faith work. Admittedly not their finest melody, but the lyrics addressing the fight against depression were a jewel. The song also included one of Winwood's finest guitar solos. Another Musikladen performance, which is actually more energetic than the studio take (funny seeing Capaldi playing with a cigarette in his mouth): Traffic (feat. Steve Winwood) - (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired (1973) | LIVE - YouTube
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: When the Eagles Flies Company: Asylum Catalog: 7E-1020 Year: 1973 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: tight seams; original inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4502 Price: $15.00 Cost: $66.00
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First off, I seldom publish a review without having at least listened to the album three times (preferably over an extended period of time - okay I'll admit I couldn't get through Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music" three times). My opinions also tend to change with time. I'll also mention that I have a fondness for Traffic and Steve Winwood.
Those things said, most of 1973's "When the Eagle Flies" leaves me cold. Produced by Chris Blackwell, this late inning set found Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood continuing to explore their interest in extended, pseudo-jazzy improvisations. Mind you, the album has more than its share of fans, but to my ears the results are rather plodding and dull. Sporting one of the album's most accessible melodies, the bluesy opener 'Something New' was pretty good. The most commercial song, 'Walking In the Wind' was tapped by Asylum as a single, though it did little commercially. Co-written with the late Bonzo Dog Band headman Viv Standshall, 'Dream Gerrard' seems to go on forever, but sports an interesting mix of free form jazz and funk. Chris Woods contributed one of those sax figures which was simultaneously mesmerizing and irritating, while Roscoe Gee added a wonderful bass solo to the song. Elsewhere Winwood and company sound flat and rather uninspired; almost as if they knew Traffic has run out of creative steam. About the best thing I can say is that anyone who liked "Low Spark" or Winwood's forthcoming self-titled solo debut will probably find this worth their time. Perhaps the result of an American tour, the album sold better in the States (where it went top-10), than in the UK where it stalled at # 31.
"When the Eagles Flies" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Something New (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 3:20 rating: *** stars 'Something New' was one of the shortest and most commercial performances on the album. Sporting a pretty, upbeat melody, the tune was almost bouncy. Hum, when's the last time you heard that adjective used on a Traffic song? 2.) Dream Gerrard (VIvian Stanshall - Steve Winwood) - 11:04 rating: *** stars Typically a song dragging on for over ten minutes isn't going to do much for me. Co-written with the late Vivian Stanshall, 'Dream Gerrard' wasn't an exception to the rule. I will admit the song had a pastoral, almost hypnotic feel and I even managed to get comfortable with the irritating sax figure floating on top of the melody. Still, the cocktail jazzy vibe eventually wore out its welcome on my turntable. Stanshall's inspiration for the song apparently came from his interest in the quirky French writer/philosopher Gerard de Nerval. And yes, the lyrics did include the stanza "hippos don't wear hats". Among other issues, de Nerval was apparently concerned as to why hippos in Parisian zoos didn't wear hats. 3.) Graveyard People (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 6:07 rating: *** stars Showcasing Winwood on keyboards and synthesizers, the slinky, but subdued 'Graveyard People' has always reminded me of something off his forthcoming solo debut. Roscoe Gee added a nice, funky bass line with Chris Woods contributing his patented wandering sax.
(side 2) 1.) Walking In the Wind (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 6:55 rating: **** stars Gee's burping bass immediate kicks this one into high gear. The album's catchiest tune, it should have been a massive hit for the band.
- 1973's 'Walking In the Wind' b/w 'Walking In the Wind' (Instrumental) (Elektra catalog number E-45207) 2.) Memories of a Rock & Rolla (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 4:56 rating: ** stars It started out as a pretty, if spare ballad. Clearly autobiographical in nature, mid-song it kicked up the pace. Ah, the burdens of rock and roll stardom. 3.) Love (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 3:20 rating::*** stars 'Love' started out sounding like an in-studio jam session with the focus of Chris Woods' woodwinds. It took a while for the tune to find a melody, but when it did, it morphed into one of Traffic's prettier ballads. 4.) When the Eagle Flies (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood) - 4:21 rating: ** stars The title track was another tune that reminded me of Winwood's forthcoming solo album. Not much of a melody and the lyrics didn't do a great deal for me. Not sure why it was tapped as a promotional 45 in the States since it wasn't very commercial:
- 1973's 'When the Eagles Flies' b/w 'When the Eagle Flies' (Asylum catalog number E-45102-A/B)
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: On the Road Company: Island Catalog: SW-9336 Year: 1973 Country/State: US/UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 189 Price: $20.00
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Reported released in an effort to beat record pirates, 1973's "On the Road" was Traffic's second live set in three years, The album was recorded during a 1973 German tour supporting the "Shoot Out At the Fantasy Factory" album. Originally released as a four track, single album package, the collection was a bit lackluster in terms of material - three of the four tracks lifted from "Shoot Out", with the addition of 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' from the forthcoming album of the same title. On the other hand the collection was interesting in that it sported an extended touring ensemble with Traffic mainstays Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, and Chris Wood being supported by Muscle Shoals sidemen Barry Becker, Roger Hawkins, and David Hood. Musically the set featured plenty of extended jams including a 17 minute 'Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' and a ten minute version of the ballad '(Sometimes I Feel) So Uninspired'. The good news was that Winwood and company sounded pretty tight throughout the set and a couple of the tracks (notably the rocking 'Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory') actually benefited from the extended live formats. The other good news was that engineer Brian Humphreys did an amazing job of capturing their live sound. The collection sounded sterling on a good stereo, or with a quality pair of headphones. Unfortunately, those characteristics were offset by the limited song selection and the fact some of the extended pieces seemed endless.
"On the Road" track listing: (side 1) 1.) The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 17:47 rating: *** stars I can't say that 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' was ever a personal favorite and stretching it out to epic proportions didn't do much to change my opinion. Each member was basically given a shot at the spotlight which meant you were forced to endure extensive jazzy sax soloing from Wood and way too much of Beckett and Winwood's quasi-jazzy keyboard meanderings. That said, the band started to gell towards the end of the song (if anyone was still listening), and Winwood sounded fantastic on the song. 2.) Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 6:47 rating: *** stars Highlighted by an extended blazing Winwood lead guitar solo, 'Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory' at least found the band showcasing their rock credentials. Thing is, it would have been better as a four minute excursion rather than a six and a half minute epic.
(side 2) 1.) (Sometimes I Feel) So Uninspired (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 10:31 rating: *** stars A pretty ballad that was simply blugeoned to death by the extended arrangement, '(Sometimes I Feel) So Uninspired' once again displayed Winwood's frequently overlooked talents on lead guitar - this may have been one of his prettiest and most impressive performances. 2.) Light Up or Leave Me Alone (Jim Capaldi) - 10:45 rating: **** stars After three extended jazz-tinged numbers, Capaldi's rollicking 'Light Up or Leave Me Alone' came as a minor shock. Yeah, his voice wasn't anywhere near as good as Winwood. but he brought a much needed sense of fun to the proceedings - the whole band seemed relieved to cut loose for a change - check out Winwood's stunning playing on this one. Again, it would have been even better if cut down to say five minutes (just deleting the extended band introductions would have helped), rather than ten minute plus version, but this was still the album highlight for me.
Its an album that's grown on me. I'll be the first to admit the extended, improvisational arrangements took awhile to get accustomed to, but with a bit of time and effort, the album does show a band that could rock like very few of their contemporaries. It certainly sold well, hitting # 29 in the States and # 40 in the UK.
The collection also sports one of my favorite album covers. There's just something very mid-'70s in Ann Bortwick's cover. Without success, I've spent countless hours trying to learn more about the artist and the cover.
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: On the Road Company: Island Catalog: ISLA 2 Year: 1973 Country/State: US/UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: double LP; gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 3279 Price: $20.00
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As mentioned above, there were actually two versions of the album. The original US release was a four track, single LP collection. Several years later the European version featuring six extended tracks was released in the States as a double album set. Whether you needed an extra side featuring a 20 minute version of 'Glad/Freedom Rider' and Chris Wood's 'Tragic Magic' was a personal decision.
For anyone interested, the extended, two album set featured the following track listing:
"On the Road" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Glad/Freedom Rider (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 20:35 rating: *** stars I liked these two Traffic songs as much as fan, but I'd argue that unless you had an inexplicable desire to hear way too much Chris Woods sax (run through some sort of effects package to sound like a wah-wah guitar, listening to the extended versions of these tunes more than once in your lifetime was probably unnecessary.
(side 2) 1.) Tragic Magic (instrumental) (Chris Wood) - 8:39 rating: ** stars 'A track off "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory", 'Tragic Magic' was notable as the only Chris Wood solo composition to appear on a Traffic album. It was also the second "bonus" track to appear on the extended double LP. Wood wrote it so it shouldn't come as a surprise to discover the focus was on his sax playing. Mildly funky, if you really didn't need to sit through the full eight minutes to get the drift. 2.) (Sometimes I Feel) So Uninspired (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 10:31 rating: *** stars A pretty ballad that was simply blugeoned to death by the extended arrangement, '(Sometimes I Feel) So Uninspired' once again displayed Winwood's frequently overlooked talents on lead guitar - this may have been one of his prettiest and most impressive performances.
(side 3) 2.) Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 6:47 rating: *** stars Highlighted by an extended blazing Winwood lead guitar solo, 'Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory' at least found the band showcasing their rock credentials. Thing is, it would have been better as a four minute excursion rather than a six and a half minute epic. 2.) Light Up or Leave Me Alone (Jim Capaldi) - 10:45 rating: **** stars After three extended jazz-tinged numbers, Capaldi's rollicking 'Light Up or Leave Me Alone' came as a minor shock. Yeah, his voice wasn't anywhere near as good as Winwood. but he brought a much needed sense of fun to the proceedings - the whole band seemed relieved to cut loose for a change - check out Winwood's stunning playing on this one. Again, it would have been even better if cut down to say five minutes (just deleting the extended band introductions would have helped), rather than ten minute plus version, but this was still the album highlight for me.
(side 4) 1.) The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Jim Capaldi - Stevie Winwood) - 17:47 rating: *** stars I can't say that 'The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys' was ever a personal favorite and stretching it out to epic proportions didn't do much to change my opinion. Each member was basically given a shot at the spotlight which meant you were forced to endure extensive jazzy sax soloing from Wood and way too much of Beckett and Winwood's quasi-jazzy keyboard meanderings. That said, the band started to gell towards the end of the song (if anyone was still listening), and Winwood sounded fantastic on the song.
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