That's right and that's why it's my least favourite of theirs. I just can't listen to it.They got much better very quickly.
TERRIFIC. For one thing, I consider Steve Winwood one of the greatest vocalists that England ever produced. I do concede that the band held more promise than what they delivered... I liked both phases (pre-1969 and after,) but they sort of "ran out of gas" (so to speak) at the end of each phase. It's unfortunate that Blind Faith never developed into something massive, or that Winwood was never part of a "top tier" English group with a killer songwriter and/or virtuoso guitarist. Ah, what might have been... but Traffic produced some magic. Sounds like Lennon being his usual caustic self... I love the guy, but it's little wonder why George Harrison had more friends.
I Love Traffic in both of their phases but I tend to lean towards the Winwood/Capaldi/Wood era(aka latter day) for the better material written, recorded and performed. When they had David Hood and Roger Hawkins as the rhythm section, I think they were at their peak. Steve in particular, was able to focus on his keyboard and more importantly his fantastic guitar playing. He was a bit overshadowed by Dave Mason I suppose in the early era, but then again, the group dynamic was much different than what followed later. I love the self-titled second album and Low Spark/Shootout as their finest albums. I also own the Live in Santa Monica concert video that was taken from the Low Spark tour, excellent stuff!
The pre-Blind Faith incarnation is almost a separate band from the reformed version, and not just because of Dave Mason's inclusion or absence. Like the former, love the latter.
The first album is the only one I really like. Coloured Rain, Heaven Is In Your Mind and Berkshire Poppies ftw. Guess I'm not a real fan, but I am fond of that one quite a bit.
3 very talented musicians (4 when Mason was with them). All their albums are great imo with Barleycorn and Low Spark being at the top.
Good to Great Heaven Is In Your Mind (AKA Mr. Fantasy) Last Exit John Barleycorn Must Die The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Meh Traffic Welcome to the Canteen On the Road When The Eagle Flies Hard Pass Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory Far From Home
I like the Mr. Fantasy album most. Possibly dated, but if it is it's dated to a truly great era in pop / rock music and there's nothing wrong with that. I have the first three albums. After that I get the impression I'll find them absolute bollocks. I've never ventured there and have no inclination too.
I think they were at their very best when Dave Mason was in the group. They were a more well rounded and seemed to focus on greater songwriting (just my personal take). Plus Stevie and Dave may have bee somewhat competitive that made for better music; better records.
I tend to rate them by individual songs and not albums. I've always loved this melange of strange chord changes: Am I What I Was Or Was I What I Am?
Never really thought about it, but that might be one of the reasons I could never get into them. I also don't like Steve Winwood's vocals. The weird part is that I recognize he's got a good singing voice. But for some reason that I could never figure out, I just don't enjoy listening to him sing. What a paradox, huh?
I'm a fan of the first two albums, but never cared too much about the rest. This is a great overlooked single:
Traffic was really a few different bands, united by Steve Winwood as singer. I like the first three albums - each with an almost totally different sound; Mr. Fantasy probably being my favorite of those. And then you have Low Spark, which was their apex of that period of the band. It's probably my favorite of their catalog - it has a nice unified vibe. I think that was about it, as far as the band was concerned, though - the other two albums were pretty boring IMO.
Have to agree with the OP in that my German Best Of Traffic is all I need of the early stuff (though I have the self-titled record). The period represented by Traffic, John Barleycorn and Low Spark are some great records. Shootout At The Fantasy Factory is where it starts to go sideways, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good the album actually is (just picked up a used copy last year), and much better than their 70's swan song, When The Eagle Flies. "Paper Sun" is a great psych single. "Colored Rain" is a fantastic psychedelic track. When the band was on, they were as good as anyone IMO.
I've never got into Traffic. After Phil Brown's book came out, which I got for the Talk Talk section, I did read about his time with Traffic and thought I'd try again. Still didn't do anything for me. I can appreciate that some of it is technically good, but a lot of music is technically good but doesn't do anything for me personally.
I came into Traffic by way of hearing a Steve Winwood live compilation where he does some Traffic tunes. Up until then I only knew the Traffic songs played on rock radio. I had always associated the band with my older siblings and a kind of hippie vibe. Low Spark was my first foray and I love that record, but I do have Barleycorn, Traffic and Mr. Fantasy/Heaven on my buy list.
