Track Listing
1. Glad
2. Freedom Rider
3. Empty Pages
4. I Just Want You to Know
5. Stranger to Hiimself
6. John Barleycorn (Must Die)
7. Every Mothers Son
8. Sittin' Here Thinkin' of My Love
9. Backstage & Introduction
10. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring - (Live)
11. Glad - (Live)
| Details | | Distributor: | Phantom Import Distributi | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Packaged in the original artwork, this 1999 UK re-release of the 1970 album has been 24-bit remastered, and contains five extra songs: "I Just Want You To Know," "Sittin' Here Thinkin' Of My Love," "Backstage & Introduction," "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring," and "Glad." The latter three were recorded live at New York City's Fillmore East on November 18 and 19, 1970.
Although JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE was originally intended as Steve Winwood's post-Blind Faith solo debut, Winwood and producer/label head Chris Blackwell first drafted Jim Capaldi to provide lyrics, and then Chris Wood dropped by to add his familiar reeds, and almost by accident, Traffic was reborn.
This was a different, and better, Traffic than the ill-fated quartet lineup with Dave Mason, which never entirely settled on an artistic direction. The sound of JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE, on the other hand, remained the template for the rest of the reunited band's career--long, organically developed songs with a subtle jazz-rock feel, powered by Capaldi's percussion and Winwood's organ. "John Barleycorn," a traditional English folk song about the process of brewing ale (not, as the liner notes mistakenly claim, a call for temperance), here becomes a pastoral reverie carried along by flute and acoustic guitar, and proves to be the record's highlight. However, the quality of the other songs, particularly the instrumental opener, "Glad," and the outstanding ballad "Empty Pages," is nearly as high.
Editorial Reviews
...The best cut on the album is probably the title tune....Wood's flute is again exceptional, delicate and ornate, and Steve sings the song just right, with an admirable sense of restraint and simplicity...
Rolling Stone (09/03/1970)
3 stars out of 5 - ...a stew of jazz, folk and prog....seeing the band lapsing into a little too much jam-based indulgence...
Q (02/01/2000)
...shows that Traffic were capable of thoughtful, inventive and occasionally very beautiful music.
Mojo (01/01/2000)
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