Reviews (page 5 of 9)
I did not expect this to be such a banger. Stand-out: Glad, Freedom Rider
kinda jazzy
One of the "must Listen" for those with want to learn about American Rock. Classic great album. Even good on its own.
Bluesrock, orgelsoloer, lidt cheesy
The first tracked grabbed the hell out of me and injected me with some great vibes on a warm, sunny LA afternoon. It was kinda downhill from there. Not because the rest was bad, but because nothing could match that initial vibe. The first side of the album is so much different than the second. Also the less Steve Winwood sings, the better. I don't think his voice is particularly great. This is such a mixed bag. The first half kicks the second half's ass. Why the title track is some weird ren faire folk song that sticks out like a sore thumb is beyond me. Weird choices. Two stars because it could've been so much better. Standout Tracks: Glad, Empty Pages
a bit too much flute for me
A bit noisy but a solid mix. John Barleycorn Must Die is a banger
Enjoyed a lot. Cool sound
Enjoyed it!
Falls in that 3 star range. Being just 40 mins gets a little bump to 3.5. Rounding up.
Quite enjoyed the titletrack - rest was all a bit of 70's jazz/rock/blues jam melange that passed me by without tickling any interest. Disappointing.
John Barleycorn Must Die I used to really like this album, but listening now I’m not sure it’s as good as I remember. Maybe I just loved the song John Barleycorn Must Die and thought it was all in that vein, evocative, pastoral and folky, rather than it being so proggy with jazz inflections. Glad’s jauntiness wears thin pretty quickly, the piano and organ are great, but I find the groove/riff a bit dull, and the horns and wah wah are on the annoying side of cheesy, before it just drifts away. Freedom Rider is more enjoyable, the bass line is great and I like flutes, but it’s not the most interesting song. Luckily it picks up with Empty Pages, a great soul inflected track, with a nice bouncy groove and feel. There are some nice moments in Stranger to Himself but overall it’s a little forgettable. JBMD is the standout though, a fantastic version. It’s arranged in a brilliantly simple way, the flute, piano and backing vocals beautifully augmenting the tune. And Every Mother’s Son is another nice blue eyed and bluesy bit of soul to end on. As with all Traffic albums, Winwood’s vocals and playing are excellent, and it all has a nice, warm sound. But While JBMD is excellent and Empty Pages and Every Mother’s Son are also very good, the rest is extremely skilled but slightly uninspiring jazz-prog-rock, which puts this at a 3. 🍺🍺🍺 Playlist submission: John Barleycorn Must Die
The ubiquitous Steve Winwood is back, seemingly popping up everywhere - only recently on Broken English and Berlin. This is very much the acceptable face of jazz rock. Although I'm not sure this album has a coherency; at worst it seems a bit directionless. But I am tending to the 'at best' case, which is a string of semi-connected songs which have quite a nice feel and arrangement, with some very good breaks - and Winwood's obvious ear for melody. It's one of those with four potential, but gets a very strong high three. And no doubt we'll be seeing you soon Stevie.
It's Steve Winwood with jazz flute. What more needs to be said? It's odd, but not offensive.
No johan on huilua ja meininkiä. Huvittaa sen verran, etten aivan kyllästy - tosin jos ois yksikin biisi enemmän, menisi tämä farssiksi itsestään.
Arviot levyistä "Traffic: Traffic" sekä "Traffic: John Barleycorn Must Die" menivät väärin päin. Tässä siis arvio bändin nimikkolevystä: Bändi vaikuttaa olevan jollain tapaa kiinnostunut rokkauksesta (tsekkaa Feelin' Alright) sekä sävellysten sommittelusta kuunneltaviksi paketeiksi. Erityisen vahvaa materiaali ei ole, mutta se on materiaalia, perkele. Seuraavaksi keskustelisin yhtyeen veikeän herkästä esteettisestä ilmeestä.
no sé, me generó un 5 estrellas automático y no conocía. Grata sorpresa- (Fuerza naturaaaal)
Some inoffensive classic rock, just ok really
Известный и любимый альбом (хотя звучит несколько архаично). John Barleycorn прекрасная песня. Сомневался какую оценку ставить.
It was a pleasant listen, nothing really stuck with me though. Got different vibes, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Jesus Chist Superstar and perhaps Uriah Heep (the flutes).
Interesting.
Solid rock album with all "long" songs! Enjoyed the 30 minutes I listened to it but no songs live up to the greatness of their two hits.
Nice and easy jazz rock. Unexciting, but pleasant.
I fine listen. Didn't blow me away but was pleasant music to have on. I guess that's a 3?
Chad
Not my favourite sound. I can see the technical skill but I just didn't love this. 2.5
frekar gott og kom nokkuð á óvart, ekki mjög hrifinn af þessu breska fólki. 3,5.
I like the opening song, "Glad", and "John Barleycorn (Must Die)" is okay, but the remaining tracks were far less interesting.
Felt like a jam session that was over before you know it. I like Traffic and I think they've always had nice sound that seemed to blend all the popular styles of their time really well. As a result they don't really stand out of the crowd though. I liked this one quite a bit but I feel as if other Traffic albums are a bit more defined and have a clearer direction.
## Review of *John Barleycorn Must Die* by Traffic Released in 1970, *John Barleycorn Must Die* marked a pivotal moment in Traffic’s career. Initially conceived as a solo project for Steve Winwood, the album evolved into a full-fledged band effort that showcased the trio of Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood at their creative peak. This record blends folk, jazz, soul, and progressive rock into a cohesive and genre-defying masterpiece. Below is an in-depth analysis of its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and overall strengths and weaknesses. --- ### **Lyrics** The album’s lyrical content is both introspective and symbolic, particularly on the title track “John Barleycorn (Must Die).” This traditional English folk song revolves around themes of sacrifice and rebirth, anthropomorphizing barley as a figure who undergoes suffering to provide sustenance through beer and whiskey. The lyrics evoke imagery of agricultural cycles and human mortality, with lines like “They’ve hired men with their scythes so sharp to cut him off at the knee” painting a vivid picture of ritualistic sacrifice[3][4]. Other tracks delve into personal and existential themes. “Stranger to Himself” explores feelings of alienation and inner conflict, while “Every Mother’s Son” reflects on spiritual yearning and the search for meaning. Winwood’s poetic approach ensures that even the simplest lyrics carry emotional weight, resonating deeply with listeners seeking introspection[1][2]. --- ### **Music** Musically, *John Barleycorn Must Die* is a rich tapestry that combines multiple genres: - **Jazz Influences**: The instrumental opener “Glad” is a seven-minute showcase of jazz-inspired improvisation. Driven by Winwood’s energetic piano work and Wood’s saxophone solos, it sets the tone for the album’s eclecticism[1][4]. - **Folk Elements**: The title track is steeped in British folk traditions. Its acoustic arrangement complements the haunting narrative of John Barleycorn’s sacrifice[3][4]. - **Soulful Vocals**: Tracks like “Empty Pages” highlight Winwood’s soulful voice, blending R&B grooves with progressive rock elements[1][4]. - **Progressive Rock**: Songs such as “Freedom Rider” feature extended instrumental passages that allow each member to shine individually while maintaining cohesion as a band[2][4]. The interplay between the musicians is seamless throughout the album. Unlike earlier Traffic efforts marred by lineup instability, *John Barleycorn Must Die* benefits from the trio’s tight synchronization. Each instrument feels purposeful—Wood’s flute and saxophone add texture, Capaldi’s drumming provides rhythmic depth, and Winwood’s piano anchors the compositions[2][4]. --- ### **Production** The production on *John Barleycorn Must Die* is understated yet effective. Recorded at Island Studios in London under producer Chris Blackwell, the album avoids overproduction in favor of an organic sound that emphasizes musical interplay. Acoustic instruments are given prominence on tracks like “John Barleycorn,” while electric guitar makes an appearance on “Every Mother’s Son,” adding variety without overshadowing other elements[1][4]. The mix balances instruments expertly, ensuring that no single element dominates. This approach enhances the album's cohesive feel despite its stylistic diversity. The sparse arrangements on certain tracks allow the emotional weight of the lyrics to shine through without distraction[2][4]. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *John Barleycorn Must Die* explores: 1. **Sacrifice and Rebirth**: The title track serves as an allegory for life cycles—both agricultural and human—emphasizing themes of transformation and renewal[3]. 2. **Existential Reflection**: Songs like “Stranger to Himself” and “Every Mother’s Son” delve into personal struggles and spiritual searching, capturing universal human experiences[1][3]. 3. **Connection to Nature**: The folk-inspired elements reflect a yearning for simplicity and harmony with the natural world—a sentiment resonant during the counterculture movement of the 1970s[3][4]. These themes align with broader cultural trends of introspection and spirituality prevalent during its release period. --- ### **Influence** *John Barleycorn Must Die* had a significant impact on both Traffic's legacy and broader musical trends: - It marked Traffic's transition from psychedelic rock to a more mature sound blending folk-rock with jazz influences. - Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull cited it as one of his essential folk-rock albums for its innovative fusion of genres[4]. - The album influenced subsequent generations of musicians exploring genre hybridity. Its timeless appeal stems from its ability to bridge traditional folk narratives with modern rock sensibilities[3][4]. Commercially, it became Traffic's highest-charting album in the U.S., reaching No. 5 on the Billboard 200—a testament to its widespread acclaim[4]. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Genre Fusion**: The seamless blending of jazz, folk, soul, and progressive rock makes this album unique. 2. **Musical Cohesion**: Despite its stylistic diversity, every track feels interconnected. 3. **Lyrical Depth**: Thoughtful lyrics rooted in folklore add layers of meaning. 4. **Strong Performances**: Each band member excels—Winwood's vocals are soulful; Wood's flute adds texture; Capaldi's drumming is dynamic. 5. **Timeless Themes**: Sacrifice, rebirth, and existential reflection resonate universally. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Limited Tracks**: With only six songs spanning 35 minutes, some listeners may find it too short. 2. **Sparse Arrangements**: While effective in some cases (e.g., “John Barleycorn”), certain tracks might feel underdeveloped compared to more elaborate productions. 3. **Electric Guitar Usage**: Winwood’s electric guitar solos on tracks like “Every Mother’s Son” lack impact compared to his piano work[2]. 4. **Pacing Issues**: The shift from upbeat jazz (“Glad”) to introspective folk can feel abrupt for some listeners. --- ### **Conclusion** *John Barleycorn Must Die* remains one of Traffic's defining works—a masterclass in genre fusion that balances musical experimentation with lyrical profundity. Its exploration of timeless themes through innovative arrangements solidifies its place as a landmark album in rock history. While it has minor shortcomings (e.g., brevity), these are overshadowed by its artistic achievements. From Winwood's soulful vocals to Wood's textured instrumentation, every element contributes to an enduring masterpiece that continues to inspire musicians decades later.
A very nice album.
Kind of lame, but quite well-done with a realized sound and some good musicianship. I’m cool with it. Best song: Glad
59/1001 - The tenor saxophonist needs to practice long notes in the low register. Didn't like the picardy third ending on "John Barleycorn." Sequencing seemed weird to me, would be more accessible to start with a song with vocals instead of an instrumental jam. Other than that, I liked this album quite a lot; they have a great flute player and pianist.
Love the title track and like the sound of the album - a little folk rock, a little jazzy. Oddly, APF liked the jazzier bouncier tracks more than the slower folksier ones.
Sort of 1970s folky prog rock. A typical 3 for me - nothing wrong with it but does not move me. Happy I learned about this but a a bit meh
“Glad” is too long of an instrumental to be that boring. Either shorten it or add lyrics. It wasn’t that interesting. “Freedom Rider” has very similar instrumentation, so what’s the point? “Empty Pages” is a fucking banger, as always. “Stranger to Himself” is good. The title track is alright, but not good enough to be the albums namesake. Finale was a little dull, but whatever. This album’s alright. Enjoyed most of it. 3/5
It's fine. Traffic never quite reaches the heights that traffic affiliates did. Eg blind faith, spencer davis group
3/5
This album fits nicely into the pantheon that is Stevie Winwood's catalogue. Blind Faith, Cream, Traffic...all hall of fame acts.
surprised i quite liked a lot of this. Stevie Winwoods voice is great, the first few tracks have a great groove. Shame the second half of the album isn't quite a special 3
More progressive rock than I expected which was nice on the first 3 tracks but musically it meanders and has little lasting impression.
It's alright. I'll give it a 3/5.
I was really hoping for something more bluesy/country based on the title/cover. It had a few elements of it that were the best part of the album IMO. The rest of it kinda fell apart and just faded into the background. 3/10
The first half of the album is filled with nice jams
Interesting fusion of jazz with rock elements (I think), again nothing that stands out that I really enjoyed though.
Very clever stuff, happy to rock along with plenty of soul but also sometimes veering into prog territory - before prog had a name! Earthy and folky, but not too twee thanks to consistently strong arrangements and songwriting - I just feel like it misses a wider range of moods to make the most of what this group had to work with. That said, the title track sees them stretch out beyond other song here. It feels like the missing link between Genesis and The Rolling Stones! Favourite tracks: Glad, Freedom Rider, John Barleycorn,
I was both interested and scared for this album, as I knew it could I either be some folksy prog jazz that would alter my life, or a Steve Winwood-coated snore fest with very little to speak on. It ended up being mostly the latter, with a lot of potential within the walls of the first two tracks, but instead of continuing the Winwood woodwind escapades, it becomes pretty generic rock tunes for a couple tracks only to completely stumble on what could've been a folk-prog masterpiece a la Led Zeppelin III and then end on cheesy rock power ballad. Maybe the horns and flutes stuck around, but I forgot about them as the tepid guitar playing continued and the embodiment of every generic white guy sang through Steve to give a so-so performance. There is a lot of hope within this album, and it starts pretty good, with two solid progressive tracks to keep the baby and soul at least engaged, and when it comes to a six song album that's a decent amount of songs, but the rest is so forgettable I find it hard to say this is worth the check-in when there are so many other acts doing this exact style of album multiple times better. It is alright, but nothing to miss out on here.
Started off great but just meandered on into a bit of a dirge
Pretty good sound.
I really liked this! Not what I was expecting at all, but I loved the instrumental opening. Perfect music to just zone out to 4 ⭐️
Jazz-rock is not my preferred genre. There are some nice parts, but overall not my kind of thing.
Starts with a lot of promise, then becomes just another 70s prog ISH album. Really tails off in the middle with only a slight improvement on the final track
Did not like this. Sounded like filler on a 70s music station. His voice was particularly grating.
It was unique, I'll give it that. Like most jazz-infused music, I don't particularly want to listen to it. In general, way too much organ wankage, but I did like Jon Barlycorn. All of that adds up to a 3 star rating.
Bien
They're good musicians but this didn't move the needle at all for me. Bland dad rock.
I liked this!
Sure man whatever can you please not give me albums that are exclusively 50 years old. Honestly the more I think about it, the more I think the main problem is that (at least so far) this has forced me to listen to something I don't like almost every day, for usually 30min-1hr. That's a lot of the time I spend daily listening to music, and this is the first that it's not just music that I know I already like. Maybe that's what I'm revolting against
I don't know who this John Barleycorn character is, but he sounds like a real ruffle-rouser. I feel like I need 3 or 4 more listens before I really form an informed opinion of this. I think it's a 4?
Pas mauvais du tout; mais je pense que j’ai trop entendu d’albums depuis le début pour distinguer ce qui fait l’originalité de celui-ci parmi la dizaine de cette époque que j’ai entendus.
I think this is a great album, overall my favourite traffic album. I love the jazzy side and the title tracks is among my favourite folk songs of this period. Just the last song slips a little, but Glad, Freedom Rider and Empty Pages make for a most satifying side of music. 5 stars
Bardzo fajne,
Quirky, freeform proto-progressive rock jazzy organ and folk rock sounds with random pan flutes thrown into the mix….don’t hate it but don’t love it either. Steve Winwood’s soulful vocals are a high point. 3⭐️
I liked the jazzy-something else feel of this album
i'm a little biased because i grew up with this one. this is one of my dad's favorite albums and i have loved this album for a long time. what's crazy to me about this album is that steve winwood is in his early 20s! anyways, this album is terrific. the first side, in particular, is almost perfect to me. i adore all three songs. the second side i have learned to love more recently, but on this listen, i really liked it as well. the album is jazzy, rocky, and even folky, and is a pretty good mix and is never dull. to be honest, i feel like this one gets underrated a bit. but then again, i'm a bit biased.
What can I say? A folksy acoustic guitar-heavy ballad based on an old poem that talks about murdering a guy to symbolise the beer brewing process just seems laser focused at me and my tastes. Rest of the album is decent too.
This was fun. All sorts of different genres appearing over the half an hour. Simpsons: No
Enjoyable album, nice and short.
It was ok. Nice song about beer but counteracted by a long uninteresting instrumental
Fuck it, 5 stars. Solid mix of tunes, there’s a song where killing and torturing someone is an extended metaphor for making beer. What more could you want?
Disappointed because I really liked the album I had before called "Traffic" by a stroke of genius. Although this title is amazing, the album is pretty lackluster.
A great band but none of these songs appeals to me.
I don't know, this really doesn't sound like rock.
It's nice, I enjoyed the mix of jazz and rock, but every time I put it on, it felt just a bit less special, and a bit less special and then a bit less special. It's pretty good as a background listen.
More Steve Winwood, this time with flutes. My gripe about Winwood's vocals in the last album stands here as well. This is also an annoying stereo mix, with the piano fully in the right ear and guitar fully in the left. Low two; pretty close to 1 territory.
Shockingly good
3.5
Nope
Groovy 70s Rock. Not really into it much, but I liked a few tracks and they were usually less jazzy. Sometimes the flute was a little psychadelic which I wasn’t keen on. Generally speaking it’s decent, but not particularly for me.
Was alright, bit didn’t wow me
One of my favorites so far. Scratches the Chicago itch. Short, but very sweet and very good.
What is it with 70s bands and flutes? Genesis, Jerhro Tull, King Crimson and now this lot! That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this album and played again straight after listening to it the first time.
Makes me think of Jethro Tull
Decent, a bit self indulgent especially at the start, but it ends up in a solid place
It was nice background music to work with
pretty cool!! starting an album that has lyrics with an instrumental is always a risk but i think it worked really well here
Really liked this - a cool mix of folk instruments, jazz experimentation and rock song structure. I'd never heard of Traffic before and went on a fun rabbit hole listening to Steve Winwood's earlier solo stuff. I wished this album was longer!
This was an awesome listen. Was not really a fan of the first Traffic album I got a few days ago, but this sound feels evolved in a way that resonates with me. Folk-rock-jazz-blues jams. Yeah. Playlist adds - Glad, Freedom Rider, John Barleycorn
I loved that. Good variety and great instrumentation.
was quite groovy at the start but got progressively less groovy. I’m still a little unsure of why John must die, but perhaps on a second listen I will find out :))
It was very much not my kinda jam, but it was still jammy. I'm like 75% sure I've heard Freedom Rider before in like music class or something, it seems very familiar. But it's also probably the best song on the album imo. I like all the different kinds of instruments used to create this jammy kind of music.
Decent
I had a good listening experience with this album. I don't know why John must die but I'm okay with it if the scenario produces a decent album like this. I am definitely a sucker for some woodwind action and I enjoyed the sax and flute very cool stuff. Sometimes though it kinda seemed like bro had been practicing the flute and just wanted to show it off. The airy flute in the second track was kinda cool tho respect. Vocals seemed unnecessarily epic at times felt like there wasn't enough tension or buildup. Instrumental jammage (which I enjoyed) for a minute and then all of a sudden bro be screaming like ayo chill the fuck out yo.
Can't quite put my finger on who the singer sounds like, maybe it reminds of me Peter Gabriel? or some old Phil Collins? Big fan of the start of the album, the first two tracks had some nice woodwindage, some of the songs that follow are a bit repetitive for my taste but there is only 6 tracks so I'll let em off. I did wonder what the name was about when I first saw this album, and listening to the John Barleycorn song I understand it to be about the cycle of crops for alcohol (right?), sort of made me feel like I was doing GCSE english again, would've been cooler if we just had beef with a guy called john. Most songs I'd give a 3 or a 4 out of 5, overall giving it a harsh 3 Fav song: Glad
i used to listen to this growing up and didn't remember until just now, Glad was my favorite song
Liked it! Jazzzy
It’s all right. Kinda Mellow rock with alot of organ. Is this considered prog rock? I don’t care for prog rock so maybe that’s why, although I can appreciate the talent, I’m just not feeling this. The music kind of meanders. Prog rock to me is music that goes on for too long without really getting anywhere.
That album was a jam. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, and after the first song I almost expected an instrumental album. Definitely enjoyed my time with it
I had a really good time with some of the songs from here. Was very surprised to hear singing on the second track, but I still enjoyed it. The sound was pretty raw, one of those cases where "less is more" in terms of production.
Rock psicodélico de principios de los 70, muy bueno, con toques pastorales a lo Jethro Tull, con el añadido de un saxofón bastante interesante. Muy buen álbum, aunque no destaca mucho dentro de la música de su época. 3.5
Dobrej rockec, ale nic revolučního
I was kind of excited with the first track, thinking that an instrumental album would be an interesting change of pace. When the vocals came in on the second track I actually felt a little disappointed. I had to leave this one and come back to it a few hours later to appreciate it for what it is.
Empty pages jäla BÄNGER. Inte hört om dessa förr Bra melodier, bra feeling. Lite spretig
Alltså, hammond-orgel, tvärflöjt och saxofon i rockband, det är man ju svag för! Helt ärligt så hade jag inte koll på det här albumet alls och det är jag lite förvånad över. Det är ju inte så långt ifrån typ Kansas eller Wishbone Ash, till och med lite Chicago, särskilt den första låten. Sångaren tycker jag låter lite som Phil Collins fast sämre. Instrumentinslagen är däremot top notch! Låtarna i sig (kompositionsmässigt) tycker jag håller lite varierande kvalitet, tycker några låtar mitt i är klart svagare men överlag mycket trevlig lyssning. Jag velar mellan en 3a och en 4a.
3a, mysigt album, inget speciellt
One thing this list has taught me in how criminally underrated Steve Winwood is. Man was HOT in the 70s. And this album is no exception. Here we have some seriously groovy tracks that send a lightning bolt of positivity down your spine.
A fun display of jazz/folk fusion and a good, ambling hang—in a kick-it-with-your-uncle-who's-way-more-into-this-than-you-could-ever-be type of way.
Good groove for the most part but meh sections
Slightly more straight edge Jethro Tull with cool jazzy blues vibes. Very cool
Never heard of this album before, but not shocked it made this specific list. No clue if it's on anyone else's list. 3.
I thought there were some interesting pieces in here but it wasn't super memorable. Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
This is a hard one for me to rate. I thought it started off quite slow, but "John Barleycorn" and "Every Mother's Son" were absolutely brilliant and ended the album on such a high note. But I was so underwhelmed by most of the other songs on the album. I find Steve Winwood and his various projects to be hit or miss most of the time. If I could rate this a 3.5, I would, but I think I have to go with my initial impression and round down.
Not much here for me. Kind of proggy and sort of sleepy to me.
About infinity minutes too long.
It has a very folky oldish vibe to it I’m not sure about the lyrics but it seems to tell a good story
A great album early '70s British rock album that is strong from start to finish.
I know who Traffic is but don't think I've ever really listened to them. It does tend to all blend together but love the organ. Favorites: Freedom Rider, Empty Pages Would I listen to it again: No
This was pretty good!
Definitely heard of this band. My parents love these guys. I know a couple tracks. Interested to check this album out. Nothing special in the first two tracks, it's cool.
Classic
I got really into the instrumental parts of this. The vocals were fairly here nor there. I probably would have liked this as an instrumental album more, or with a different singer. He wasn't bad, just bland? Also I don't think I'm a flute guy. I like me a flute from time to time, but I think most times I hear a flute I'd prefer a different instrument. Album cover: (B) It looks like a linocut print that would be sold at a farmers market or craft fair in 2012. I think it would work better if they made the JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE bigger for the contrast with the pastoral imagery.
damn, it's folk. and the first track is instrumental. maybe i'll give them a 1, because they are from birmingham, and my home team is playing against aston villa today but anyway a 2/5
Alright a bit dull but acted good as background noise. Not much to it
Not really anything.
Just an album with lots of funky jazz tunes. Not my cup of tea atm. John Barleycorn is growing on me though 🤔
🎧This is not the Traffic of Dear Mr. Fantasy I know. Good, not great. Final two tracks are favorites.
Always on the verge of becoming brilliant, but never quite gets there.
Color me impressed. The flute solos, the jammy guitars and all in a half hour package. Solid.
This is okay. Credit where it's due, Traffic did make use of instruments atypical for rock at the time (flutes, organ, saxophone) so that does provide some variety. Everything is executed well enough, the writing just isn't that compelling or memorable. In fact the most memorable part is how alike Steve Winwood's voice is to Peter Gabriel's, especially on Empty Pages. That could be viewed as a compliment but to me I'd rather just listen to Genesis. Otherwise, it isn't really anything that you couldn't find plenty of other 70s bands doing, besides maybe the organ, but even then, Deep Purple did a much better job of blending organ into hard rock Highlights: Glad
okay i need to listen more traffic. this album is terrific
Love Traffic, adore the talent of Steve Winwood. Wasn't too familiar with 'John Barleycorn must die', so I was glad to give it a listen. A bit more folk on this record, and not really memorable for the lyrics, but the music and the psychedelic, jazzy jamming are great.
Short and sweet! Love it!
Mix of different styles here
Bliss. Soft jazzy rock. But brilliantly done. Love the flute.
I can only think of "John Tucker Must Die" - which ages me. Neither good nor bad
Nice
I kind of like Glad; I almost like John Barleycorn
forgettable.
I quite enjoyed this for what it was, simple bluesy-jazzy-folky music that was easy to listen to and reminded me a lot of early Genesis. I would definitely listen to it again, but it wasn't ground-breaking, so it gets 4 stars from me.
i reallyyyyyyyy liked this…especially the title track which i thought was SO beautiful. that combination of guitar + flute is always super magical to me…fairy elf type music. very john fahey which i love. fav tracks: glad; john barleycorn
Honestly I was procrastinating this one because I wasn’t excited for more 70s rock. But this was different from some of the other stuff we’ve had to listen to and I really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the opening, and some of the more pensive songs later in the album reminded me a little of Zeppelin. Probably won’t return to this besides that first song which was pretty *groovy* to me. *Best tracks: Glad*
Starting out with a nice fun instrumental. Next couple tracks have vocals, but don't hit as well. Stranger To Himself and John Barleycorn Must Die pick it right back up, both are bangers. Ends with a decent rock track. Best song: John Barleycorn Must Die
Unremarkable. There's nothing here that would bring me back again. 2.5/5
I'd never heard of Traffic before. Definitely an album of two halves - the first half is decent, and the second totally lost me. The title track was rough. Standouts: Glad, Empty Pages
The iconic Traffic breakthrough after "getting back together" for a Winwood solo project. I can't say enough how entertained I am that Dave Mason quit three times over a few years, especially how he toured this album for a few months and then quit the last time. It covers such diverse territory over its' few songs, and defined their new experimental fusion style.
I liked this a lot. I’ve never heard of Traffic, but I know Steve Winwood. Good stuff.
Sounds like so much else from the late 60s and early 70s. Showcases the neutered energy that would make Steve Winwood the darling of easy listening and soft rock radio stations played in waiting rooms for the next forty years.
I enjoyed this album start to finish.
If you ask an Englishman of a certain age and demeanour who their favourite band of the late sixties or early 70s were, you don’t get the Beatles. Or the Yardbirds. Or Cream. Or the Stones. Or Fairport. Or Zeppelin. Not Jethro Tull. You get Traffic. Sadly rather forgotten it was really a vehicle for the immensely talented Steve Winwood. This is probably the album to listen to. All of the above mentioned bands have an input to Winwood’s writing and arranging. The centrepiece is the folk standard title track. But the rest of it is excellent. He might have benefited from more of a band - for all of Ian Anderson’s control of Tull it was still a band - but still it’s terrific. 4
Interesting... I am not familiar with Traffic's oeuvre, and have been recently considering spending some time with their back catalog, based on the occasional track that pops up in my listening (eg, covers by Tigers at the Edge of Time, a local bar band I quite like). OK, I have listened to some of their previous records, and then this one all the way through... and I'm not thrilled. It meanders, more folk-jazz and less rockin' r'n'b than previous records. Unfocused, not well structured, a bit too laid back for my taste. The guitar leads are (at times) pretty awful. Interestingly, the live tracks on disc 2 of the deluxe version are far superior. A bit rougher, better playing, and more focused even when stretching out. I was tossing up what rating to give this album... should it be 2.5, maybe 3? The band is clearly talented and it's not _bad_ per se. But when I listen to those live tracks, it makes the studio album sound like a missed opportunity. This turn to folk-pop just doesn't spark for me (pun not intended), and I feel aggrieved that it has wasted my time that could have been spent listening to something better, like their self-titled record. 2 stars only. A final thought: the font on the cover is incredibly ugly; clearly a chance for the graphic designer to pull out some novelty letraset from the bottom drawer, slap down a piece of clip art, and bob's yer uncle, there's your cover. If the whole cover design took more than 20 minutes, I'll eat my hat.
I had never heard this before. I had heard of Traffic, but didn’t know realize Steve winwood was part of this group. His voice is very distinctive. This was really good, but I enjoyed his solo stuff more.
Never heard of Traffic before. Really liked Freedom Rider. The rest were pleasant background music.
awesome flute/sax in the first two tracks
Esto estuvo muy bien, no conocía a los Traffic. Poderoso, arreglos geniales y de esos que prenden sabroso para irse a trabajar. Sí escucharía más de ellos.
One of the songs (Freedom Rider) was fantastic! The other ones, just so-so.
A complete modernization of traditional British folk music. Great musicianship. Every Mother's Son is a very underappreciated rock classic in my opinion, but all songs are great.
Solid jammy classic rock. I don’t know that I’d heard most of these songs before and it was an enjoyable listen all the way through. Steve Winwood is a fantastic keyboardist and his flute playing was a cool surprise as well.
This record was a lot of fun! A bit of steely dan, a touch of fairport convention, some good flute action. I would listen again but it’s never gonna be a top tier album for me. Probably deserving of a 3.something
The jams are great here, but I’m not big on the old English folk songs like “John Barkeycorn”. I struggle to follow the tales and find it daunting and uninspiring to try and keep up.
As one half of UK Jazz Rock pioneers Houmous & Chutney, I really appreciate what Traffic try to do here and it’s almost flattering. But to quote the great late Barry Farrow….’go home mate, this is big boy shit’…..another middle of the road album that’s fine but absolutely not special! And another one I’m convinced I would have been fine with if I died having not listened to it. 2.7
Nice, like a mild Genesis with a medieval flute here and there
Just another mediocre 70s rock-ish album with nothing that really captures the attention.
Totta, hirteen kys. ukko. ei muuta.
Great instrumentation. Really tight band. I dig it.
This is awesome Love the overall instrumentation, it has everything that I love about the 70s Lovely sax interspersed
i liked this it was jazzy and folky and a little psychedelic and no bus came ever
não curto muito o estilo, não teve músicas que achei impactantes
4.5
great album
More green lights from Traffic.
Fantastisch album. Veels te kort
The Jazz Flute (in Fred Armisen's voice) makes it almost sound Jethro Tull-y, but mixed with Chicago. I like the bass lines.
Meh, not all that great.
An enjoyable listen and yet another artist I've never heard of before today. I'm probably not doing it justice by listening to it in the background and not taking in the lyrics.
Nice!
Cool album name. Felt a lot like classic jam bands of the past with a British flare to it.
Lovely long-ranging songs that didn't wear themselves out. Good for winding down a day
Every song is close to perfection. And done with flute on some. Winwood’s singular voice is one of the best. I’ve seem Stevie live many times and songs from this album are some of the most popular played. Classic, deserves to be on this list.
Love this sound! Not normally that into folk but this works for me as an album
It's not bad, but I didn't enjoy it. It was boring and a bit milquetoast - not sure what makes this an album I have to listen to before I die.
This album feels like being stuck in traffic. You're comfortable, you have something to listen to, not total crap but also not the best radio station ever. But ultimately, you wait for it to end.
I listen to it and then I listen to it again. I've got this one on vinyl twice don't ask me why.
Brilliant album.
Wondering what John Barleycorn did
A lot better than I thought it’d be based on the name. What did John Barleycorn do to these guys
I really enjoyed this album. An incredibly peaceful flow to the instruments and a great juxtaposition to the lyrics
I've already had their self titled for this project, which I didn't really enjoy. This was much better, very easy to listen to. Still not my favorite, but jazzy wind instruments with rock is cool. If the whole album was more English folk like the title track, I think I'd be way more into it. John Barleycorn and Empty Pages were my favorites.
This book might be a little too stuffed with albums and bands like this. This album is, however, pretty good. But I might have some folky, psychedelic, jazzy music fatigue. The album is only 34 minutes long, but somehow it feels longer? 3/5
More roots music aped by Brits who can barely sing. Too much organ and flute for me. The mixing on Stranger to Himself is questionable. Rhythm piano panned to the right with a guitar solo panned to the left, both weighted about equally... I'm not sure why that was the choice. It sounds like there are some good musicians in here, particularly the drummer who keeps a nice groove on most tracks, but Steve Winwood can stop singing pleaseandthankyou
Steve Windwood is better here than he was solo. Overall, I liked this 70s rock/folk album.
This was pretty good in places, but probably not worth a revisit.
This started off well, but got a bit overblown rather quickly. Glad had a bit of a swing to it, but it soon seemed to settle into more indulgent territory. Too much folk and too rocky for my taste. It may also have helped that the intro was an instrumental, as am not very keen on the voice. Didn't feel it added anything.
Short, bluesy, not bad. It sounded like a very good pub band, nothing more, nothing less. John Barleycorn always reduces me to tears, whoever sings it.
This was a fun lesson to a band I never would have come across
cool
7/10
Bueno
A minor masterpiece, rich and substantive and no doubt high in fiber. Grooving mellowly, and here and there exquisitely (e.g., organ solo in middle of closing track, underlaid with subtle piano), this represents just about the best of the '60s legacy (of which albums released in 1970 very much count). Just expansive enough to be interesting but not so much so as to lose effectiveness through overindulgence or excessive indolence. "Freedom Rider" and "Empty Pages" are very strong, though the whole thing works as a well balanced, smoothly integrated and generally impressive whole. And is "Stranger to Himself" a template for ABB's "Midnight Rider," with its earwormy hook. TItle cut treads maybe a little perilously toward proggy caricature (beware too arty flutes!) but is pleasant enough that everyone should be fine as long as they refrain from taking it too, too seriously. And it's a decent in terms of updating English folk madrigals (or whatever) for Age-of-Aquarias context and vibes. One would rank this as far and away the best work Winwood ever did (the one where he best and most transcended what one hears as an awkward [and borderline annoyingly nasal] singing voice), a legacy nearly irredeemably besmirched by the later solo work (Arc of a Diver was good, but everything after lame and tame). In the Traffic canon, this seems better than the eponymous record (though "Shanghai Noodle Factory" might be the best cut they ever did). A case could be made that Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys seems perhaps unfairly overlooked.
decent enough but nothing to write home about - 3
..
I had previously dismissed some of Steve Winwood's solo efforts as proficient but too safe. Like he just needed a bit of a blunt edge to him. I hadn't listened to Traffic before, but that was my first instinct here too. But I have to say, this album really grew on me and I honestly think it's excellent after a few listens. While I'm not crazy about Winwood's voice, the music is fantastic mix of rock and jazz with a heavy nod to traditional folk music, particularly notable on the title track. The song writing is very impressive. It twists and turns all over the place, weaving a complex narrative. For me, this really benefitted from repeat listens. The first time thing, I was tempted to give a fairly generous 3, but man has it opened up now. Turns out that I kind of love this.
Traffic? More like, I want to step into oncoming traffic. Kidding kidding it wasn’t that bad
Not what I expected from a Traffic album, but I liked it!
Steve Winwood and the gog damn flute. I threw up in my mouth a little bit and have a craving to go punch Rick in the face. 1 I really wish there was a Zero option.
1 Solid musicianship, but my God is this boring. Who’s responsible for this?? … Of course it’s Steve Winwood. I know I’ve voiced this opinion here before (and it’s probably a pretentious opinion at that), but no matter how technically proficient your music might be, if it has no sort of personality to it, it’s not going to pull me in. Give me something to grab onto, relate to, and just really feel in my soul - what am I supposed to feel with this? “Wow, nice arpeggio”? “Whoa, that V7b9#9#11b13 chord”? Even Winwood’s singing here sound like Stock Soft Rock Vocals #57. I know there’s a place in music for this, and I know it has its fans, but it’s just not for me. Give me something that feels more like it's driven by emotion than it does science.
Starting off with a 7 minute flute-and-organ heavy classic rock song made me crabby.
It was weird because all the songs are a regular length but they all felt sooo loooong
3.5
A bit lounge, piano jazz, a bit Supertramp and Jethro Tull..
4, en la línea de la época, bueno sonido, eso sí, nada especialmente memorable
Classic Traffic. Not as good as Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, but this album saw me through many miles of asphalt when I was still driving for a living.
this one's pretty good. mildly low-key jazz rock. many of the instrumentals are melodious but calm, cool, and consistently smooth as butter. john barleycorn is not a person, but rather a personification of the barley grain, and the fifth track in the album is an adaption of a centuries old folk poem. yet another album on my list that, while not life-changing, i liked. it has a peaceful and nostalgic vibe to it that i feel like both young and old can enjoy. if you also like those vintage kitschy instrumentals with saxes and flutes thrown in, you'll love this.
Yes, this is what I've always wanted from Traffic! I've checked out a few of their earlier albums but nothing really impresses me. And then this comes along, showcasing the genius of Steve Winwood in all his glory. It's harmonically intriguing, melodically sublime, well-crafted in all aspects and just a really exiting record.
3.5
Decent album
Great listen. The fusion of many genres here is extremely well done. The organ and flute as far as the instruments are concerned carry the album for me. The vocal performance and the overall production are also quite amazing. Ya love to see it. Best - Glad, Empty Pages, Stranger To Himself, John Barleycorn (Must Die), and Every Mother's Son (MPF) Worst - No bad songs 3.75-4.00/5
I had to look back at what I thought of the other Traffic album I’ve heard (it was the self-titled album). It looks like I liked it, but I don’t actually recall anything from it off the top of my head. Make of that what you will. Today’s album seemed decent, but there wasn’t really anything that stood out as excellent to me. It was perfectly fine background music. I’m writing this only hours after listening, and I only really remember that song about John Barleycorn.
Overblown pomposity, throwing bits of jazz and folk at rock 'n' roll then calling it innovation. Now we have a definition of prog rock out the way. Once I got over being grumpy about it, I decided on second listen this is pretty good. The folk, jazz and even r&b influences are really well done. I do wish this was a straight jazz-rock record. But it does also have to have a vague concept about pagan fertility cults (of course it does). There are definitely more than a handful of landmark prog albums that sound worse than this. It is growing on my by the minute. The electric organ really rocks. 4*
Oh, a folky 1960s psychedelic British band? Colour me surprised. Decent instrument playing, plenty of flute, which I suppose is the saxophone of the 60s. Not for me though, this one. Two Barleycorns.
Started off hot with the first two tracks and then kinda fizzled out.
Funkier than I could possibly imagine!
A bit folky in places, some good instrumentals. Liked it.
Funky, jazzy, folky 70's rock. I enjoyed that!
Fine. It's a middle of the road 2.5. A solid example of 70s rock with a hint of psych. I'm rounding it down because I honestly don't think I will remember anything about it after finishing writing this.
Glad 4 Freedom Rider 3.8 Empty Pages 4 Stranger to Himself 3.7 John Barleycorn (Must Die) 3.4 Every Mother's Son 3.5 Score: 3.733333333
Fine. Sounds like something that would play as background music in a used record store where the clerk is a baby boomer. Enjoyable, and probably sounds great on a good system, but I’m not going to buy a copy.
This was not bad, actually. Definitely better than the other Traffic album. A little better than some of the more generic 70s blues rock we’ve had. Still not my favorite but decent.
I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it. A nice, quick album with some decent vibes. I’m not mad I listened.
Traffic is pretty cool. Like an earlier, bluesier, jazzier version of an 80s jam band. Pretty fire.
Not my favourite Traffic album, more folk-rock that prog-rock in my opinion, but nethertheless a good album.
Better than I expected.
it was... fine? quite weird but i've never let that stop me before. not my thing but i am glad i listened to it, sort of
Weird and (sometimes) oddly likeable music that I would best describe as "jingly British rock aggressively trying to sound like American country". For some reason, early on, I was reminded of King Crimson's music, even though I know they're stylistically wildly different to this. The singing and drumming were particularly reminiscent. I've not a fan of the title-esque track John Barleycorn, where I think Traffic bites off more than they can chew with the country twang. The final song, Every Mother's Son, is also unappealing. However, the first four tracks are good or better, with Freedom Rider and Empty Pages being the standouts. They're full of energy and make good use of piano and organ for a fun, inspired performance. 3/5 Key tracks: Freedom Rider, Empty Pages
Pretty enjoyable.
7/10. It's another 1970's rock album. :)
rigtig positiv overraskelse faktisk, jeg vidste ikke hvad jeg forventede fra et band, der hedder Traffic, men det var i hvert fald ikke The Wicker Man soundtrack-core folkpop/rock
Det var da ganske hyggeligt!
Startede rimelig jazzet og slutter mere rocket. Musik som er behageligt at lytte til.
more flute than i expected
Early prog, with plenty of folk influence. Takes itself very seriously, and borders on pretentious at points, but I liked it a lot.
3.5 Good. Nothing more, nothing less
Never heard of Traffic before. It’s decent - I enjoyed the first tracks Glad, Freedom Rider and Empty Pages 2.5
I enjoyed this one, it was easy to listen to.
Really liked it. Never paid much attention to Traffic, know Steve Winwood from his later work but this was very enjoyable. After finishing listened to the album before this (Last Exit) and liked that too. Not getting 5 stars but damn close. (Next album on here is by Dusty Springfield so that's almost certain to get 5 stars)
Traffic was a great group with any talented musicians. And this is one of their great albums.
Maybe Traffic’s last great album, a blend of traditional English folk and organ-driven rock. Beautifully balanced. (And as of today I’ve been working my way through the list for two years! It’s been a wild journey.)
This is actually the first the Traffic album I heard, and I loved it.
Really strong album. Glad to have been introduced to it!
This is very cliche. Nothing interesting at all
That's not my taste in musik. But ok. Nice songs
Good music
3 decent cool piano work kinda generic
Bit of a random inclusion. Actually sounds pretty good for 1970, but not so stand out to warrant an inclusion on the top 1001 imo. Still, it's a lot better than some of the shite on this list.
A couple of really great tracks. Not a big flute fan.
2.5 roundin up not for me
Quite pleasant in an inoffensive way.
Weird title, good jams.
Ok. Enjoyed some of the instrumental ones
That instrumental jam at the end was very much up my alley.
yeah, enjoyed listening to it
pianolastiger sound mit fetzigen songs und gitarre, auch hier sind die 70er besser als ihr ruf.
Etwas zu lebendig und 70er Jahre
Probably a 2.5 for me but feeling soft after a couple of 1's. Great to actually hear Steve Winwood in this environment with a decent band. I liked his solo stuff but was completely overwhelmed with the radio play of it.
Great Band
These guys have a nice sound, and it's a fine CD, but just doesn't grab me. The first track is a long instrumental - instrumentals are fine, this song is fine, but it's not a gripping start. The second song feels more like an "opener" initially, with a zippy pace and a cool minor progression, but the hook is almost intentionally dull, the all-descending melodic line just makes it a real downer. That becomes a theme - a few of the other stronger tracks (notably "Empty Pages") nail the verses but have weak choruses. Partly that's because while they have a full and diverse instrumental sound, they basically never use backing vocals, and Winwood's got a nice voice but he can't carry these alone. Perfectly pleasant CD, but not exceptional.
2,5
3.5/5
I've heard the eponymous song John Barleycorn before in my English folk music phase, so I've also heard of Traffic before. I quite enjoy their music. It may not necessarily be the most groundbreaking in the world, but I quite enjoy how laidback it is and there is some skill on show.
Poorly mixed and boring even if it’s arranged really well. Also, fuck flutes in this application
John Barleycorn must die by Traffic. What if we actually used traffic for the death penalty? Not the band but like if somebody murders someone we just throw them out on the highway, probably not a good idea. Anyway, good album, folky and jazzy with super clean vocals. It really transports me to the time and place it was made even though I have never been there and wasn't born yet. Last song "Every Mother's Son" was my favorite.
Good 60s rock album, enjoyed the instrumental tracks, glad this was on the list.
started well but got kinda bland
I'm not a huge Traffic fan for some reason but I still enjoy them.
Not bad. I liked the folky vibe.
On the Progressive Rock Scale of Lameness (TM), Traffic lands squarely in between Jethro Tull (very lame) and Genesis’ late-70’s, post-Peter Gabriel era (lame, but not without some merit).
Steve Winwood is a fascinating figure. I think. I honestly don’t know that much about him. Had a couple of Pop hits in the 80’s, played the organ on Voodoo Chile. Was apparently in a band called Traffic in the late 60’s. This was an interesting listen, I’ve seen it on these sorts of lists, and it’s name and cover has always intrigued me, but I was expecting it to be a Hard Rock album. The mix of Folk and Jazz is one that seemed particularly fertile ground in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I’ve found it to be a genre mix that’s difficult to like, outside of a few choice examples. John Barleycorn Must Die is a better than average example, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially the title track. Despite this, I wasn’t blown away by it and can’t see myself returning to it any time soon. Maybe if I’m looking for something to smoke up to, like that guy’s parents in that one review, because it’s a calm, decent, hippie-ish listen, but outside of that…
Fusion, folk - jazzrock, fine
I enjoyed this album a lot. Hat never heard of Traffic before.
Wow, this was a blast from the past. I really loved this album back in the day. Listening to it now, it's even more interesting. NO GUITAR, except on John Barlycorn! Imagine that in 1970! I bought it for the John Barleycorn song, and really enjoyed the others as well. It's music with a lot to listen to. Probably a precurser to my love of jazz that happened later in my life. Steve Winwoods voice is terrific, but the organ, honky-tonk sounding piano, sax played un-typically, flute, drums perfectly set in the mix. Great stuff! 5 stars!!
I was pleasently surprised when I hit play. With this album cover, title and artist name I was expecting metal, but I was hit with groovy jazz tunes. Albums like this is why I love this website. 4/5
Еще один сюрприз в листе. Я эту группу (при всей любви к этому олдовому прогу) не слушал, но музыка супэр! Удивительно немного, видеть прог-альбом на 30 с копеечкой минут, но по итогу всё это чувствуется хорошо и без излишеств. Лучшая песня - John Barleycorn.
How novel: a circa 1970 album by a British band performing blues-/country-rock…
loved the intro song
As albums, What LA Woman is to the Doors, John Barleycorn is to Traffic.
Soft
Solid
It's good. Like an approachable, folksy and softer Jethro Tull. I dig it.
I knew Mr Fantasy by Traffic but not really heard any full albums. This was a very pleasant surprise.
интересный фьюжн, весь день слушала. но наверно мне хватило)
Enjoyable album, liked the "psychedelic Americana" vibe.
Band name suggested rock, album name and cover suggested folk, first couple of tracks were... jazz? Then it became rocky and briefly folky after that. Unfortunately this melting pot of styles wasn't nearly as interesting in practice as on paper.
Short and fun. Horns in Freedom Rider are interesting, but overall this whole album felt pretty average.
This album left no impression on me. I enjoyed it but couldn’t remember anything about it
3.4 stars rounded down. Very cool blues prog rock, but the semi-persistent non-Jethro Tull flute work made me laugh.
Enjoyable listen Standout songs: Empty Pages Every Mother's Son
op zich niet slecht, maar terug een kabbelend plaatje... na 2 nummers is je aandacht weg en plots is album gedaan zonder dat je het weet... ook de zang kan mij niet bekoren
Was expecting it to be pretty folk or country just based on the album name and cover, but it's actually kinda jazzy, especially near the start. I love this kind of album format too, 6 songs that are nicely fleshed out with some good jams, no filler, everything feels like it has enough time to breathe. Enjoyed it a lot, a great new find.
I had not heard this before. I liked it; almost but not quite a 4 for me.
Steve Winwood's band. Psychadelic folk. Like The Doors lite. With a ton of organ work throughout. Not a bad album, but nothing to get too excited about. Favourite songs: John Barleycorn, Empty Pages, Freedom Rider Least favourite songs: Glad 3/5
This was a fun jazzy little album. The mix of instruments was a fun way to bring new life to pop/rock music of the 60s and 70s. Lyrics are deeper and conveying a message that is important at the time (and still today). Gives me major summer outdoor festival or evening concert vibes.