Reviews (page 7 of 9)
Saved Empty Pages. This is good, rooted, headbobbing rock and roll.
Interesting fuse of funk, jazz, and rock. I don't think I'd listen to it again but I didn't mind it.
Alright prog album, if a little forgettable. Doesn’t really compare to something like Fragile (which I got recently), though.
Traffic is a band I've been interested in for awhile. They don't seem to quite fit in with all the other English prog bands from around the same time, and the extent of what I know about Steve Winwood is "Higher Love." Unfortunately a lot of this falls a little too far into bluesy territory than I like my prog to go. My favorite track is probably the title track, which is basically just a folk song. I dunno. It's okay.
ALBUM RATING: 4.0 ALBUM GRADE: B+ TRACK RATINGS: 1. Glad - 4.5 2. Freedom Rider - 4.5 3. Empty Pages - 3.0 4. Stranger to Himself - 3.5 5. John Barleycorn - 5.0 6. Every Mother’s Son - 3.0
The most "professional" sounding (for lack of a better word) Traffic record at this point. As much as I love the Dave Mason era it shows they didn't need him to make a great record. The way Winwood and Co. meld blues, jazz and folk was definitely one of a kind.
What a fantastic listen. Steve Winwood is truly a genius, and his instrumental and vocal expertise is highly evident all across the album. That being said (and not knowing much about traffic), I was pleasantly surprised by the impact of Capaldi and Wood on the overall sound. Winwood is still the star tho
Not a bad little album. Sound pallets isn’t my favorite.
3.6 - Besides the dueling flutes on “Freedom Riders”, there’s little else that’s memorable on here. Just your average 70’s American classic rock, as interpreted by Brits. I also question their decision to begin the record with a middling 7 minute instrumental. Crowd-pleasing background music.
vibe
Started strong, but I lost interest after a few songs
Not the best version of John Barleycorn but good to hear Traffic again
This is a wild mess of an album. It’s pretty good, honestly, but it’s impossible to know which ones are great and which ones will just be instrumental messes of sound.
Listen to the instrumental pieces. I had this LP and played it over and over again. Masters!!!! Piano, flute, sax, guitar, drums and vocals....everything blended to make some great enduring sounds.
Early Winwood
nice, but not really wowed.
okej
Don't have much to say about this one, it was competent but nothing hooked me.
Thought I was going to like it from the first song. Lost its way and sounded like a budget Jethro Tull.
bit of a preacher vibe
Good enjoyable prog rock. Enjoyed the title track and the opener. Higher side of 3/5. Worth a relisten.
For something titled "John Barleycore Must Die" this is not at all what I was expecting. Mostly just blended in to the background 3/5
The music was decent and enjoyable but completely unmemorable to me. A bit like The Band except not as good.
So cool parts. Not gonna be a go-to for me.
Short but sweet.
John Barleycorn has 6 minutes 20 seconds left to die. If I'm gonna die, I would like to be played this song to. This song hit me right at the first listening. And after the closing track which came right after the title track ended, I knew I wasn't be deceived because the LP finished our experience by a true emotional song, not a filler or kinda. I don't have to skip any second at all, though not all of these are absolutely excellent Fav track: John Barleycorn (Must Die)
Does anyone else find it funny that Winwood plays so many instruments but Winwood doesn't play a woodwind? I like the first track with its jazzy stylings. The piano is quite nice as is the sax. Winwood plays piano but not the sax. Told ya. The second track uses the flute nicely. The flute was quite popular with the long hair hippy freaks in the 1970s. I can't say I understand how that happened but I like it. Track three takes the organ out to play and the title song does English folk very well. This LP's a nice assortment and a welcome change from the last three albums we had.
The piano, organ, flute, Steve Winwood's high-pitch soulful vocals and the mostly absent electric guitar give the LP a light flavour, but not in a bad way. I like the jazz and folk influences. I'd prefer a little less jammin' and a couple more songs but, hey it's 1970. The title track sounds a bit out of place, being a traditional folk song, but it's nice. I'm now doing a deep dive into Steve Winwood, from The Spencer Davis Group to Blind Faith, so I thank 1001 for that.
The star here is obviously Steve Winwood, really great vocals and writing. Glad is a classic prog folk song that ages very gracefully. Kudos to Traffic for creating a really original sound that no other group was able to imitate.
Great record. Love me some traffic.
What did John do though
Uh oh. I've never been a big fan. This should be interesting. Steve Winwood and Dave Mason right? so is "Glad" a 7 minute instrumental? I'll let you know, if I make it. The wah-wah sounding horn is kind of cool. Excellent keyboardin'. Not a terrible jam. It was all instrumental. Maybe that's a good thing, cuz Winwood and the flute aren't doing "Freedom Rider" any favors. Decent guitar work in "Stranger To Himself". This band bores me. It's ok for background music, and I'm sure it was cool if you were trippin at a festival in 1971, but...not my thing. The songwriting just isn't there. Over rated for sure. I'd rather hear fucking "Roll With It" or "Back In The High Life Again" Those cheesy 80s songs are less torturous than the title track and it's bloody flutes
Enjoyed it but wouldn’t write a letter home to my mother about it. Probably just mention it in passing or something
Got asked why i was listening to the OST for Mario Kart while i had this on. It was about a minute into the first track and it was spot on. Tried to stay interested but it was naff.
Thought there were very few moments I peeked up. When the initial vocals come in I thought it sounded decent but this won’t be anything I come back to. Really surprised that they’re not American though because it really sounded overall like they were
Really easy listen, great rhythm and nice vocals. Can draw parallels with a few other bands from the same era which is great. Would listen again now and then but wouldn't rush back so doesn't get 5 stars for that reason
Just an outstanding album full of incredibly composed music. Cannot get enough of the instrumentals here. Favorite track: Stranger to Himself
Like a phoenix reemerging from the ashes, Traffic returned with John Barleycorn Must Die, an album that allowed them to indulge in their more expressive musical tendencies without any need for kowtowing to the conveyor belt. Despite the album title lending some sort of potential rock opera wrangling, its initial six song (or eight song) tracklist forsakes any sort of storytelling (aside from the title track) and its noodling is pared down to rather for-the-sake-of-the-song structuring. Overall, a really good album that doesn't overstay its welcome. Favorites: Glad, Freedom Rider, Empty Pages, Stranger to Himself, John Barleycorn Must Die, Every Mother's Son.
I liked the sound of "John Barleycorn". I'm pretty sure the album is better if you are able to understand the lyrics. Sadly, I'm not
its nice, the John Barleycorn song is a hit
Eh.
Bon album mais ne m'a pas transcendé
PREFS : Glad, Freedom Rider, Empty Pages, Every Mother's Son MOINS PREF : Stranger to Himself
did not like.
Some classic tracks, some meh. Winwood was so good.
"John Barleycorn Must Die" is the fourth studio album by English rock band Traffic and their comeback after a brief breakup. The album began as a Steve Winwood solo album ("Mad Shadows" which become the name of Mott the Hoople's second album). Steve couldn't complete his album without the band and got the band back together with Chris Wood (percussion, sax, flute, organ) and Jim Calpaldi (drums). Minus Dave Mason however. Winwood would play piano, organ, bass, vocals and guitar. This album is a mix of jazz, blues, traditional folk and prog rock. It did receive mixed reviews. Yeah, I can see that. It begins with the instrumental "Glad." The classic Traffic sound (what I think nowadays) with piano, percussion and horns. Jazzy especially with the horns. Piano, seductive sax and organ start "Freedom Rider." And we get the flute and flute solo. 70's flute guy is in high action here. "Empy Pages" was one of Winwood's solo songs and is more classic rock and kind of strays into prog. It's about struggling writing songs and having a girl comfort him. The most straightforward lyrics on the album. "Stranger to Himself" has a groove and is bluesy. The electric guitar stands out. Classic 70's rock. "John Barleycorn (Must Die)" takes the old tale and keeps a folk tradition. More flute! It's about cultivating grain and making alcohol and in the bigger scope, the cycle of life...birth, growth and death. The album ends with a very busy song in "Every Mother's Son." Searching for spirituality and something more in life. This album was enjoyable...fine. I don't think it lives up to their previous albums with Dave Mason or their next one "The Low Spark of High Heel Boys" but the music is solid. A lot going on musically maybe too much at times.
Great jazz fusion with some funk and soul elements. Steve Winwood’s vocals are on point as always. Possibly Traffic’s best record?
I'd never heard a Traffic song before. Pleasantly surprised!
Nice could Listen to this again.
More flute than anticipated.
That old sound. Passes the jam in person class. I want to be in a garage in the spring time with the wide door open and a lil exhausted from playing soccer in a field of clover
This is 70’s ROCK! From the 70’s! That ROCKS! In the 70’s it ROCKED! 70’s ROCK! ROCKIN’ 70’s! Sadly, it’s 2023 and this is absolutely desolate. Move along people, nothing to see here. Unless you like beige? It reminds me of the colour beige.
cool
Seems ok
Overall I enjoyed the album. Good 70’s rock grooves. Nothing spectacular.
Instantly forgettable
You know what? This bullshit prog rock crap is actually off to a decent start. Opening track is getting my juices flowing. Okay, now we got some vocals with cryptic lyrics hinting at some kind of Grapes of Wrath like epic struggle. And here comes the JAZZ FLUTE. Now we're into some sort of love song? Or maybe it's an ode to anti-depressants and writer's block? Trying to interpret the meaning and message of these tracks is quite vexing. I'm not sure what I'm supporting in liking this, but the music is catchy.
Definitiv gute Musik, ich flip trotzdem net aus
I think Traffic was pretty much a Steve Winwood solo project at this point. Thankfully, Stevie is pretty damn proficient at his craft. He even plays most of the instruments here with the general exception being Jim Capaldi on drums. Love the 2 opening tracks. Really the only critique is Stevie's lead guitar playing (I think it was on Empty Pages). It does the job, but I can't help but think it could be better. 7.5/10
Great name for a album.
Didn't wow me
Cute folk record. LOVED the instrumentals and I love how odd the lyrics are in some spots, I also rlly liked how groovy it can be. Maybe the songs could've been cut a bit shorter, as the instrumentals don't really change much during the duration of the tracks but I think that as a more background record it is extremely enjoyable. I had to do an essay for school and I did a lot of progress on it on my second time listening to it, so thanks for that. FAV SONG: Glad LEAST FAV SONG: John Barleycorn EASY8/10
No és un disc fàcil d'escoltar, però és un d'aquells treballs que va creixent dins teu fins fer-se indispensable. Temes llargs, barrejant psicodèlia, rock i moments de jazz i folk. La maestria musical dels tres components i la màgica veu de Winwood l'eleven encara més enllà
Solid jazz influenced psych rock. A band I need to spend more time with.
Rating: 6/10
Odd title, very jazzy which I wasn’t expecting. Very instrumentally focused, which is a shame as the singer has a nice voice. Overall the album was good, fun enough. Not really what I would choose to listen to, though, and it’s not a genre I can offer much in the way of insightful comments.
I like it, but I don't love it.
som muito bom
Canzoni che virano sullo strumentale esagerato a un certo punto
The rule in 1970 was ‘there are no rules’ This album is a fusion of Jazz, Rock and English Folk Steve Winwood’s vocals and keyboard stand out in front of sax and flutes in jams that flow. This is an album you can listen to at any volume and you get it The title track is a gruesome progressive, English folk tale, made all the more so by its mellow, low key rendition.
Great players. These guys live have to be a good show.
This is good, really good in places. Freedom Rider and Stranger to Himself are quality.
Sounds like a budget Genesis - vocals are quite Peter Gabriel-y, but the music is a bit more middle of the road than most of what Genesis did (certainly in the Gabriel days). It's got that slightly folky twang to it, but without the lyrical interest or musical complexity really. 2/5, not an unpleasant listen, but not compelling in any way.
Good playing, but lackluster songs overall here. Honestly I really wanted to like this more than I did.
Really not doing it for me. Maybe a bit of enjoyment here and there, but almost didn't get to this level even, low 2.
3.5 stars. Pretty decent listen, albeit short. Interesting crossover of folk rock and prog rock. The singer is what makes this more than an mediocre album. Standout is "Empty Pages"
Album had some funky moments but that was about it for me. Definitely an easy listen but I'll probably pass on it in the future.
This is great. Kinda reminded me of a less funky version of the Average White Band. The second half (live album) was really nice too. 'Freedom Rider' is smooth & the acoustic guitar work on the title track is cool as hell.
can't get album on streamer.
Traffic's fourth album is more jam-rock oriented and stylistically it is more jazz fusion and blues influenced than their previous works. Winwood's singing stands out.
This album was all over the place. At the beginning I was infatuated with the opening song - "Glad". Very unusual structure of the song, I honestly had no idea what will be next, another bridge, another solo, melodic riff with vocal? Lovely feeling of being surprised every 30 seconds of the track, and to add to that, every new motif of the song was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, this unorthodox way of approach to the record turned into a choir for a listener soon after the first track. I almost felt like it became a predictable unpredictableness. My mind started to wander and it was much harder to focus on the album. It's like "John Barleycorn Must Die" is a one-trick pony, but you can choose any song from it as an example for that one-trick. Anything more and it becomes a burden. Really good note for original sound, but not so much for the structure of the album.
Haven't really listened to much Traffic but I enjoy the mix of folk and prog. Some nice flutes throughout as well. It feels a bit slight for a prog album to me though.
ishhhhh
Ansprechend komponierte Gitarrenmusik. Gerade so drei Sterne.
This album was a total slog and I was tempted to skip multiple songs out of sheer boredom with them. John Barleycorn was the only highlight in the whole album and even that went on a little too long in my opinion.
I love Traffic but haven't listened to them in quite a while. This is a great album, definitely on the forefront of the progressive rock movement. I'm left wondering though, what did poor John Barleycorn do to make these three men treat him so poorly? 4 stars.
Solid album with lots nice tunes. Mixes well pastoral folk to art rock. Especially liked the opener "Glad" and the songs "Empty Pages" and "John Barleycorn". Short and sweet. I did not like the blues track "Stranger to himself though". Steve Winwood. 8,3/10
Started with the deluxe album by mistake. Still good, really enjoyed this one. Gotta love a 6 song 35 minute album 4.25/5
Never heard of this before, but didn't hate it. I was glad when it was over though.
Couldn’t get through it
Love love love. Might have to get this on vinyl.
Not for me.
Terrific and understated. Groovy and thoughtful and has proven quite durable in that it still sounds great.
Fairly interesting album. Mixes genres I am used to hearing with others. I didn't love it, but didn't hate it either.
Wasn’t bad but not for me, pretty cool sound for the 1970s but seemed like a complete ripoff of jethro tull
Enjoyed.
Eh
<<>>
Steve Winwood and rock flute. There's nothing better. Good fold album all around.
I listened to a lot of classic rock when up until I was in college, but Traffic was a band that I wanted to listen to, but never got around to checking out. I love Steve Winwood's solo stuff from the eighties, and it was nice to hear him on this album. However, overall, there's really nothing on this album that stuck out to me. The instrumentation was fine, the vocals and lyrics were fine, and it's not a bad album, it's just not going to be something that I'll probably ever think back on.
Kind of a folk-jazz noodles for the most part. Certainly didn't mind it but a little unfocused.
Very solid album all the way through. Reminds me a lot of Allman Brothers.
Ponderous. As in, I ponder how this tire fire of an album of improv folk-jazz is on this list.
Another great album from back when I was alive. Can be listened to any time if the day. More appreciative of the instrumentals now that I am older
A boost of serotonin in musical form. I will definitely be adding Empty Pages to my feel good playlist. I was shocked to find out that the lead singer of Traffic (Steve Winwood) is the same person who made the song Valerie.
Its OK, but nothing special as albums go. 3/5
A really well put together album that I didn't find particularly engaging. I often get lost in the extended jams of this kind of music. Which I know is kind of the point but I like to have something I can sink my teeth into a bit more. Still Steve Winwood has this habit of making things that usually wouldn't be my kind of thing a bit more engaging than they would usually be. Which is the case here. I enjoyed it but probably wont be racing to give it a revisit.
Not as interesting as I hoped.
Decent combo of folk and jazz. Not amazing, but pleasant enough.
Dyings Cats Stevens
Ok. Prog rock
Not bad, but a bit of a letdown.
Traffic … decent. Funky. Not sure it truly stands the test of time, but as a disclaimer: I'm not a HUGE fan of prog psychedelic jazz rock. If you liked this, listen to Can's album "Ege Bamyasi" if you haven't already. It's deffo more of a delight to the senses, the vocalists also struggle but they do it with the required gusto for me to be able to take it seriously. Best Songs: "Stranger to Himself", lyrically the most interesting "…his hands are torn and bloodied from the scratching at his soul"; "Every Mother's Son", musically the most short-lived despite being the longest. Worst song: it's a tight run between Freedom Rider and Empty Pages, but Empty Pages wins for being shining horror material: "…found someone who can comfort me, but there are always exceptions" – sis, please. Imagine being born in an era where some (or most) male singer-songwriters wrote about their love interests like they do their mother-carers? My condolences. It's songs like these that make me remain thankful I can open a bank account without the signature of a man. [Off topic, I'm new to this site, so behold the review I wrote for Manu Chao, which I REFUSE to lose and forgot to enter: a classic protest pop phenomenon for the anti-hipster and hipster alike, refreshingly anti-capitalist and anti-us imperialist. a global mix of spanish, english and french. south american and european, humanist, lost and searching, full of hope but with both eyes open. classics: bongo bong, je ne t'aime plus and la vie à 2 and the run between: luna y sol, por el suelo, welcome to tijuana.]
As soon as I saw “1970 album by English rock band” come up, I prepared myself for yet another white boy, folk rock record with shaky vocals and too much acoustic guitar. What a relief that this isn’t the case here. Traffic has more grit and more edge, with heavier evidence of rock and blues, so this record certainly feels more ‘70s than it does late ’60s. It’s closer to a band like The Doobie Brothers than it is to The Beau Brummels or Country Joe & the Fish, which again is a relief. Not a bad album at all! Standout tracks are Freedom Rider & Empty Pages.
- oh shoot, Steve Winwood plays just about every instrument here (slight exaggeration except when it’s literally true) - seems like Traffic was smoking the same weed that Tim Buckley was on Happy Sad (the last album I listened to before this one) - while I’m something of a Winwood fan- that voice! those keys!- this album feels incomplete, especially so with the inclusion of 2 Winwood demos in the version I listened to. - zoned out in the first half to the point I can’t really provide much insight. Good sax 🎷 HL: “John Barleycorn”, “Every Mother’s Son”, “Empty Pages” December 1, 2022 (late)
bien tranqui a veces y bien hermoso a veces. 7.5/10
Pretty cool stuff, I like the folkier elements.
A terrible album name. The album wasn't great. It was better than a 1 but not really a 2. I will round up.
It wasn't bad enough to be bad or good enough to be good.
Solid turn from the 60's to the 70s
Really nice record, very calm and tasteful for a peaceful and overwhelming experience.
A little dull - lot of noodling
teils ok, (groß-) teils meh.
Buen disco de pop-rock, con buena voz, algo de instrumental y de guitarrero.
I think Steve Winwood might be my musical nemesis.
A slightly more rock version of English folk music evolved than Fairport Convention, with a dash of soul from Steve Windwood’s vocals. Pretty good stuff!
This was a pleasant surprise! Some folk, some blues, some rock. Some songs are not as memorable as others. Still definitely worth a listen. 3.5, close to 4 but not quite there yet.
A standard early prog rock album from 1970. The instrumentation is what you would expect from an album like this, besides perhaps the title track, which is a lovely folk ballad driven by an acoustic guitar. It is ironically probably the highlight of the album. All in all, its a really solid record. FAVORITE SONGS: - Stranger To Himself - John Barleycorn (Must Die) 3.75/5
Traffic has a knack for making rich, textured music that is also incredibly warm and effortless sounding. The band's musical sensibilities cover a broad range, encompassing rock, jazz and folk in ways that are quite unique. I can't really think of another band that sounds quite like this. This album as a whole is solid, with several classic Traffic songs on it. The band's musicianship is spot on, with Steve Winwood's soulful vocal elevating everything to the next level. I do have to be in the right mood to listen to this kind of music, but it's really excellent. Fave Songs: Empty Pages, Freedom Rider, Every Mother's Son, Glad, John Barleycorn
Interesting.
Awesome album musically. So many bases covered--I love it. Favorite track: Glad
nice
Jazzy
I liked the parts where they weren't singing. They jammed when they were just playing.
Heureux d'être content
très sympa et plutôt concis
Eh
Turned on to this by my dorm roommate sophomore year of college, 1989. I love this album! 4.5
4.5
This album kicks off with some fun piano work, setting a not-too-serious prog mood. It’s like they’re telling the listener, “We’re here to play, not show off.” Not to say that showing off is bad. I know some people hate it, but I don’t mind it. Anyway, the reason I mention this is because so much prog shows off, so it’s nice to hear something a bit more straightforward for a change. “Freedom Rider” is the centerpiece here, but being a folkhead, I prefer “John Barleycorn”.
Some decent Piano.
Folk-rock setentero. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
I liked it more than expected. Felt like 80s music crossed with tavern bard music. Didn't know this was Steve Winwood.
I initially quite enjoyed this, but wasn't blown away really. I've been listening to a lot of Prog this year, but haven't come across Traffic. I do know of Steve Winwood though. I might give this a second listen, since I just had it on in the background on the first spin. It is quite short! OK, so I listened to this a second time while doing the dishes and paid more attention to the vocals this time. I'm now questioning why this album is included in the book. The singing isn't great at all and the lyrics leave a lot to be desired. This pales in comparison to Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes and Jethro Tull albums from the era, so I wouldn't even argue that it was super influential or anything. Maybe people just love having an origin story for Steve Winwood? I'll give it 2 stars because the musicianship is good throughout, but I doubt I'll listen to this again.
Un album de trafic, le premier que j'écoute. Je sais que Steve Winwood en est le chanteurs. Chanteur aussi de Blind Faith, c'est mon genre d'album, j'ai aimé mais je m'attendais a un peu plus. mais pour les 5 chansons c'était bien. 3.75
title song is interesting and style is somewhat unique but not remarkable enough to stand out
Don't know what to make of this. 60s folk prog jazz with Winwood distinctive vocals. Nothing massively grabs me but its all tight and has an enjoyable groove. Some of the instrumental passages remind me a bit of early King Crimson if they used regular time signatures! Bit baffled. 3
John Barleycorn is the personification of barley, according to Scottish and English folklore. The events leading to his death are incorporated with the production of beer or whiskey. So that's why poor Johnny "must" die, for us to have booze. It's already evident in the title how much does this album cultivates from folk. It was a captivating work of folk-jazz, but it eventually succumbed into a generic '70s synthrock in the second half. Something died with John Barleycorn halfway through. Still, I understand that a fully instrumental album filled with all those jazz-folk jams would've be exhausting. Like John Barleycorn's journey, it has to go to the next stage. Ultimately, the booze hits pretty quickly, but dies down as quick as it hits.
This is pretty much an instrumental album. This album is solid - all the songs are fine. I dont think any of them stand out to me where I'd want to listen to them again. Fine record but nothing special 4/10
4. Solid album with some good tracks. Standouts: Glad, Empty Pages, Stranger to Himself, John Barleycorn.
requires a second listen maybe a third but enjoyable all the time
Woke up wanting to listen to that album again. That's a good sign. Oh yeah and there's some tasty organ in there.
Great folk with proggy-jazz vibes that are just too good to be ignored.
Love it, one of the best discovery from the 1001 since a while !
This album is like a big fondue of folk, psych, prog and jazz-rock. The result is eclectic and rambling, but certainly tasty. Great album!
If you like early 70s guitar, then this is something to checkout. I was excited to hear some wary Steve Winwood, but nothing exciting from this album. I’ll give it a 2 because they had the tools to make something great, this just was not it.
I didn't really know what to make of this album. It was interesting I guess, but I didn't feel like much of it caught me with great hooks or spoke to me lyrically. It wasn't overindulgent prog rock, but it also didn't feel entirely purposeful in a kind of jam band way. Overall I probably won't revisit and can say to myself "ok that's what this band was about."
The piano in this is a nice touch but overall I was really bored listening to it. It all feels very much of its time and lacks the transcendence of some of the other works here.
Overrated, but it has some highlights.
Welp, I had no idea who this was or what to expect. It was a strange little mix. And I was convinced that the lead singer was Carl Anderson from Jesus Christ Superstar. Boy was I wrong. I enjoyed listening, and wouldn’t mind listening again, but i won’t be seeking them out.
Quite a dramatic album title and I love the old timey woodcut looking album art. I have certainly heard of Traffic but am not super familiar with their work. I like that the album came out the same year I did. Let's check it out! Digging Glad, the cheerful nearly bouncy opening track. The instruments have a lot of personality. Second song I still like the hooky music, even all the flute, but I'm not in love with the voice or lyrics as much. I'm finding the album a bit tedious by the time I get to the eponymous track. Overall I'd say it's listenable but not spectacularly interesting or ground breaking.
bit confused by how many versions of the same songs are on here, but this is full of bangers
Good stuff. Trippy.
There's a lot I dig about this. But not a lot of replay-ability for me as it requires so much attention to listen to as does a lot of Jazz.
twas alright. twas boring. nothing much to say. not trying to get out of it but like literally just unmemorable
The major problem I've always had with this album - and the band - is simply that the songwriting is wildly inconsistent. Damn they could nail it at times - start with a killer and catchy instrumental in "Glad" and later an absolutely classic song like "Empty Pages" which completely showcases the rhythm, dynamics, and instrumental arrangement and chops of the band not to mention Steve Winwood's vocals.... And to be honest...those are the only excellent songs. Probably the only *good* songs. e.g. in between those two is Freedom Rider which... is awkward. Frustratingly so. Jazzy riffs that don't resolve well. That chorus has always felt wrong, as in it doesn't fit the song at all. And much of the rest of the album suffers the same inconsistency. Each song has some sections that work and each has sections that don't. Which add up to a lot of it being the most dreadful of words: boring. e.g. "Stranger To Himself" almost drags itself to its own death halfway through; it feels like the band is about to just collectively pass out from boredom. There's enough here to make it worth a listen but man ... the best of Traffic is so good - could they ever have just put together a full quality album? 5/10 3 stars.
Chillig
Really enjoyed this so I’m going to be generous and give 4*
Disappointing.
Very fresh. Love the album art.
2 but a very HIGH 2. Just not quite as good as other 3s. Enjoyed the sound but didn’t find myself saving any songs
meh
Pleasant enough, if meandering and unfocused. Highlights: Glad, Stranger to Himself
Mix of rock, blues and even country? Nice and short listen.
I don't get much from this album. It has some cool songs and an exciting mix of styles. I think it is pretty innovative for 1970, but it's not something that I call atemporal.
Groovy!
I mean, it's good, but not really my thing. Empty Pages is the standout track here, but the album as whole feels all over the place even though it only has six songs on it. Stranger to Himself especially feels like it doesn't fit in the with rest of the album and the transition from that into John Barleycorn Must Die is kind of jarring. Jim Capaldi's drums keep the whole thing from veering into some kind of weird jazz-folk hybrid.
Pretty standard but unremarkable classic rock feel
It was pretty good, kind of forgettable for me. I think I listened to this twice yesterday and don't remember much of it. Reminded me of Jethro Tull's Aqualung: rock with a flute.
Giving Jethro a run for their money with all that flute.
Not really my thing 2/5
Overall enjoyed it for never hearing this band. I wonder though if I always like something a bit more if I have no clue who they are???
This was the hardest rock band that the renaissance fair would allow to play for authenticity reasons.
Sweet album. Nice to hear it all at once
Jazz flute and saxophone solos and STILL it's a solid 4 for me. I'm even sure who I am anymore. All I can say is that everything else is just so solid that the flute and saxophone can be overlooked for the most part. In fact, if "Freedom Rider" just didn't exist, this would be a 5-star album. Every song is its own unique vibe which is interesting in part because the album is only 6 tracks long. Much more and the novelty would wear thin. But, for 34 minutes, I can hang with the changes.
Soulful, instrumental goodness. Sounds like a jammin good time.
Expected to see Mr Fantasy instead of JB Must Die, and hadn't listened to the latter album for a long time - turned out to be great (5 star songs except the first one).
The band is appropriately named because they make me want to go out and run around in traffic.
Good, but didn't set my world on fire
This was a potentially great album, ruined by a number of ill-fitting solos. Freedom Rider could have been awesome, but then someone decided that it needed a multi-flute solo? The flute as an instrument really doesn't fill enough sonic space and convey enough power to take center stage in an up tempo song with only drums and bass guitar as backing. Someone must have noticed that too and decided to solve it by adding a second flute. The otherwise great song just falls away into a hole at this point. The flute solo actually works in the title track. That one gets a pass. It fits the tempo and the mood. Stranger to Himself has the guitar solo panned to the left, and it feels like the piano accompaniment is at the same or even higher level than the solo. So rather than adding some melodic interest, the section just feels repetitive, because those repeating piano chords are so prominent. The organ solo in Every Mother's Son is so sparse when it starts out, holding the notes on for too long. This has the affect of highlighting the repetitiveness of the backing. Then it does a few fast runs that don't really *say* anything because they're too fast. The solo is either too slow or too fast and never stops to speak to you. It should really be trying to draw attention to itself but completely fails at that task and makes the song lose energy as your attention is drawn to the backing. There were some really good ideas for songs on this album, but they just didn't turn them into songs that maintain a consistent energy or focus. I wouldn't listen to any of this again.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but so much of this album just sounds slightly off. Glad sounds like a jam that was never fully developed to a satisfactory level. The chord progression, vocals and flute all sound completely at odds on Freedom Rider. Empty Pages is easily the best song on the album for mine. Why is the piano so loud on Stranger to Himself?! The title track is pretty good, the vocals fit the music and the flute actually works well. Every Mother's Son is ok, but a bit too slow and plodding.
Nice jazz
J'ai bien aimé, surtout la partie avec les bongo là. Et j'ai tellement aimé j'ai écouté d'autres chansons et au final je crois je préfère les autres albums, un peu moins calmes.
Album calme et reposant. Les mélodies sont belles mais l’ensemble reste plutôt publiable. La présence de certains instrumenté tel la flûte participent à la création d’une ambiance calme et mélancolique. 3/5
Nice album both singer and riffs are great, maybe a little on the short and calm side but it's quite nice
A little short to my taste. Was a nice listen tho 3/5
This was way more awesome than I expected it to be. It's got that Jethro Tull/Kansas kind of prog feel with a lot of piano parts, and the songs do not follow that radio rock "verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus outro" formula, and instead meander and weave, different instruments and volumes and layering that really explores the sonic space.
It's a good album, but not my cup of tea. Love the art tho.
This was fine, if not especially memorable for me. I was not really a fan of Steve Winwood's voice here. I liked the funky "Glad" as well as the folky title song.
Not familiar with this album at all, but the first track grabbed my attention immediately and I was excited to here what the rest sounded like. I liked it, but some of the later tracks paled in comparison to the others for me.
There's something about Traffic that just makes all my chakras line up or something. They just feel good to me. I like their tunes, their instrumentation, and the yearning quality of Winwood's voice. Good good good.
I haven’t listened to Traffic before that I recall, at least nothing off this album. I really loved the organ, flute and sax heavy songs! Felt very groovy like I was driving out of a 70s movie.
Album bangs.
22/8
Never heard of traffic but knew Steve winwoods solo stuff. Can hear the influences both on and from this band and it's solid work.
Beigest of the beige.
Already own this album and listen to it regularly. A go to for some solid classic rock. Love it
didn't grab me but i wasn't really paying attention, also i'm generally opposed to rock flute
Rock
Fine fine fine
I simply did not feel it attempt to feel
toffe listen
I saw the year, the cover and read "english rock band" and thought "oh no". You know what? I actually enjoyed this. Very musical and listenable. Jazzy, folk influences. Good discovery.
This album sounds like the music equivalent of avocado colored appliances, especially the opening track. Freedom Rider was not bad as well as a couple other songs here and there. Sometimes it sounded like Jethro Tull, which was okay. Overall I can't say that I liked it. It did have some fleeting moments but it was overall just not very impressive and yet another album that makes me scratch its head at its inclusion. Not completely awful and I could see how others might like it, but I won't be coming back to this.
Pretty cool. I liked the mix of rock, folk, and psychedelic.
Unsure if it's just a bombardment of 70s music that's wearing on me or not, but nothing on this album really stood out.
Sounds very 70's which is not a great description. Still dunno who John Barleycorn is tho
Calling this a 3.5. I enjoyed it more than some recent 3 rated ones but not enough to 4 it. Good jams and some Jethro Tull sounds. Favorite: Empty Pages
p213. 1970. 3 stars. 60's white soul boy gets jazzy and throws in some folk to spice it up. It's well done, but there are no standout tracks, and you get all the usual musical wankage you expect from early 70s albums. It says a lot that the best track on it is an old English folk song. On the plus side, it is is short.
Love the jazz influences throughout the album, I especially love the first two songs
Never heard these guys before but I really enjoyed this, will have to check out more of their stuff.
Still fresh. Liked it.
It was just instrumental, nice chill music to put in the background but I didn't listen to the full album
okay
Mostly meh but I liked the title track a lot
Title track is the best track. Went in with a bit of trepidation thinking it might be a bit generic late 60s early 70s rock (there is a chunk of that in the book), but this one has some love put into it.
one of the albums that makes u happy when u hear it but then u hear the sad lyrics overcoated by the sweet sounding music. loved the tracks stranger to himself, john barleycorn, glad, empty pages.
Don’t remember it to be honest, which is probably indicative of how good it was. Rating: 4/10
That instant at the beginning when the tapping starts. Do you remember where you were the first time you heard it? I definitely do. It was a crazy time in town. They said in the summer of '91 some of the local kids were going nuts (wasn't me), staying up late and doing wild things. Lock your doors at night they were saying. And that muted trumpet and the tonguing of the sax that emerges full on is all *yeah*. It occurs to me that this is possibly the only flute album besides Carlos Nakai that I like. It occurs to me that Empty Pages is a straight up JAM! All of disk 1 reminiscent of some kids and their wild days of footloose and fancy free (certainly not me). Disk 2 jumps right in there with that little Greg Allman style riff and takes off from there. The second version of JBMD is the better of the two and it is amazing. Solid folk and a lot of finger picking too. Medicated Goo is a definitive low point. And the second disk does drop off a good bit, but it's not enough to negate the accomplishment of the first disk. This is a significant and important album that was the soundtrack of a lot of wild shenanigans (definitely not mine).
This album was a lot of fun, I wish it was longer
Can’t do the flutes. Not my vibe but very retro.
From the first song, I already feel it's a jam band. I don't know how I feel about jam bands. It has the structure I think of jazz, giving each instrument its time to shine. I'm not into the long-form solos. My training to pop music wants me to have songs be short. Except for "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Wasn’t in the mood for whatever this was but could appreciate the diverse instrumentals. Will give it another listen later
Traffic is another one of the 70's british prog rock bands to come out of the 60's psychedelic scene, like Pink Floyd. Unlike Pink Floyd, Traffic feels like they pull from jazz way more, akin to the sounds of Steely Dan. After an extended instrumental intro from Glad, we finally get Steve Winwood's vocals on Freedom Rider. It is worth noting that Traffic is mostly Steve Winwood. He is accompanied by Chris Wood on saxophone and flute, plus Jim Capaldi to back them up on drums, but Winwood is very busy on this record wearing many hats. Good for him. Songs here sound competent. The songs on side 1 flow into each other, same as side 2. It's very Jethro Tull but without a lot of that signature Ian Anderson personality. I feel like a lot of little things make this album just short of being great. A distinct charm is missing, or some sort of cool differentiating factor. The boys do a good job here, don't get me wrong. I mostly feel underwhelmed by the music.
Great bass playing. Love the Organ. The intro track was a bit of a Jerk-off. Not sure why they would stick that upfront.
Now this is a JAM
Liked this. Less pastoral and more groovy than expected. That's what you get with Steve Winwood at the helm, I guess!
Really enjoyed it despite the horrible sax tone ;)
Less well known than later 70s bands, but these guys already invented many of the elements.
First things first, isn't the title just brilliant. Went in wondering if this would be folk or metal, so imagine my surprise when I got jazz-funk. It then goes to a whole bunch of different places (including folk). While I didn't fall in love with any tracks, the album as a whole was a pleasant experience. Was it because I was playing with cats while listening to it, or is it just rather good? I don't know.
not a big fan, just not my style
i definitely liked this
Not a single moment of boredom while listening this album, but it's all a bit too safe. The album feels like a cross between blues-folk-rock bands like The Band and prog acts like early Genesis. And anyone who can appreciate a dash of jazz will also like John Barleycorn Must Die. 3.5*
Poe, en dan uit het niets ook ineens gaan zingen.
John Barleycorn is blijkbaar een oud liedje en de verpersoonlijking van bier en whiskey, dus dat-ie dood moet betekent vast dat de heren van Traffic daar nogal verslingerd aan waren. Het heeft hun muziek dan ook geen goed gedaan.
Wel ok, maar ging een beetje aan me voorbij
Ik weet niet wie die John Barleycorn is, en waarom ie dood moet. Maar als dit zijn muziekale testament is dan is het misschien allemaal maar beter zo.
Leuke dwarsfluit.
Ahead of its time.
Good. I liked it. 4\5
I was expecting folk but I got funky 60s/70s real r&b with a hint of prog. Excellent piano/keys from Stevie Winwood. Very good grooving rhythms. A great surprise.
Love this album, the organ sounds in it are some of the best to come out of the 60s. Beautiful recording.
This feels like a live album. So jam oriented. I'm a huge fan of the writing, it's really amazing. Very jazzy. Good shit.
Jazzy folk fusion?
I think Traffic gets overlooked frequently when it comes to 70s blues rock. They draw much more influence from jazz than the typical popular groups of the time, and it really works for them. The opening track is just fantastic, such a great instrumental jam. After that, there are seamless transitions into the following songs, and the album does not slow down. The incorporation of the organ, guitar, bass, saxophone, piano and percussion are all done so well. This is Traffic's fourth installment as a group, and it may be their peak (Mr. Fantasy is excellent as well, especially for a debut album). No complaints here, this is an excellent album with exceptionally talented personnel and an ahead-of-the-curve sound, they were not afraid to experiment and I think it inspired a lot of bands through the years. Fave tracks: Glad, Freedom Rider, John Barleycorn
This is how you do prog rock. Lots of Jazz influence, and it's very well incorporated into the sound. The songs are long, allowing for extended instrumental sessions and really letting the players prowess shine. I am always a fan of a good Hammond in a rock album and the flute solo on Freedom Rider is everything. I never felt anything to drag on, and indeed found myself wishing for more by the end. I give this a very strong 4.5, didn't quite tip into perfection, but will be very happy to listen to this again and again. Fav Tracks: Freedom Rider, Stranger to Himself, Every Mother's Son
Who names their band Traffic? Everyone hates Traffic. Maybe Traffic in 1970 existed in some existential academic journal as something that might happen if too many people got cars and tried to go someplace all at once, but today Traffic is real and it's miserable. Green Day, now there's a band who has a name that is nearly future proof. In another 10 years, people will think to themselves, "remember photosynthesis?" Or, "remember when there were these green things called trees and plants that grew food on them?" Ten years may be too far into the future, but you get my point, someday soon, we'll all be wishing there was more Green Day. My parents used to listen to Traffic while smoking a joint after dinner. But whatever, that's beside the point. These guys smell like a bunch of dirty hippies and the name of this album is weird. Isn't Barleycorn a euphemism for alcohol? Anyhow, I guess it's a good thing that they broke up, because the world can only handle one band that sound like Chicago. Though I do have a secret crush on Steve Winwood, and more specifically j his song 'Valerie,' this album didn't didn't make much of an impression on me and I was thankful it was only 34 mins.
Pretentious-ass is correct that barleycorn is alcohol-related, but it's also a unit of measurement (1/3 of an inch). The relation to barley and hence alcohol is what leads us to the traditional British character and folk song and also to the Jack London autobiography, both named "John Barleycorn." But if London came to embody the alcoholic first referenced in the song 400 years earlier, why does Traffic insist he must die? I still don't know why "John Barleycorn Must Die," but I do now understand why the label for Delirium Tremens features a pink elephant, as London's novel included the first use of pink elephants as a stereotypical hallucination for the very drunk. Is it a teetotaler thing!? Even if you don't like his drinking and associate it with all the ills of society, killing him hardly seems like an appropriate solution. We've discussed prohibition of substances here before. It doesn't work, people. As for the music, the aforementioned "Barleycorn" was a very weird folk detour on a... what genre was the rest of that? The front half was very horn and woodwind heavy (it's been a pretty horny series of albums lately), and man those woodwind solos are something... I thought we had listened to Traffic before, but we hadn't. Then I thought again, and was sure we'd had some progressive jazz smooth rock type thing. Ah, but that was Chicago, about which I'd said similar things about the jazzy instruments and vague genre. And originally they were the Chicago Transit Authority, which probably does something to regulate Traffic. So let's call this gridrock. Get it?
What did John Barleycorn ever do to anyone?! Together with Jethro Tull and King Crimson, I think it is really the genre of Prog Rock that must die.
“Whereas previous Traffc albums had been dominated by more concise song structures, John Barleycorn saw the group develop into a looser, jam-oriented progressive rock and jazz fusion style…” This sums up why this album has a ceiling of OK.
2.5
Typical what you would expect from Traffic - nothing amazing
oof.. what is this shit? this can also lick my butthole.
There can be no denying Steve Winwood's talents, and this album's style is right up my street, but... that's all on paper. While I didn't suffer listening to this album, it failed to produce that famous uplifting effect music is so famous for 😜
Savršen spoj proga, folk i jazz rocka.
Jazzy, rocky and a good timestamp of its time… how can a 34minute long record feel so bloated?
John Barleycorn Must indeed Die. What even was this album? I for one would not want this to be played in Traffic or I'd be the one raging on the road! Did not like the weird mix of folk jazz and what I'd call jamming with mates in public. It's not great at all. The singing makes me almost want to spew up - it's got that sound of when you have an extremely sore stomach and you make that cry out/wail in pain sound. Best: Freedom Rider (juuuust) Worst: Empty Pages
Enjoyable album, good music, would listen again
Fairly generic 70's music - I'm becoming bored of these types of albums.
Somehow I'd never heard this album, despite having been a fan of Steve Winwood for most of my life. The opening instrumental really grabbed me, but the rest left me cold.
I wanted to like this so much more...it sounds great but it just doesn't have anything that brings me back to listen to again.
this does not fuck as hard as the album cover would lead one to believe
Fairly enjoyable rock with slightly more depth than just classic rock.
Really cool, really eclectic. Funky instrumentals, psychedelic, folk, jazz, blues. Not sure if it works cohesively but every song was great on its own.
Steve Winwood has one of the great soul voices. They should have stuck with soul.
Thoroughly enjoyed this
Dislike
Nice jazz flute, there were some great moments, but the album feels a bit incomplete.
I like these guys. A couple of these songs were gems, a couple weren't. The rest was a good listen.
Modern (well 70s!) English folk rock from *a* Steve Winwood band
gott stuff
This album is IMMACULATE. God I friggin love Traffic, and not that beep beep honk honk stuff! I'm talkin' ROCKEMROLL!
Thats just a fucking jam
Great musicianship, but the album is mostly improvised jams and the lack of songs makes it a forgettable album.
Decent album but was missing a big hit or stand out song to elevate it to 4 stars
Freedom Rider just went boom it’s so good. I was not expecting such an outstanding intro from what I heard the song before. Honestly solid frickin album
Dull jazz-rock. Seriously, why choose this insipid Traffic album to listen to before I die? The first album (Mr Fantasy) may have all the trappings of the psychedelic era, but is so much more varied, interesting and fun to listen to. That album (along with singles like Paper Sun and Hole In My Shoe) is recommended listening! This one is just meandering and a bit tedious. Two stars because there were a few moments of inspired instrumental interplay. Otherwise, it's a bit crap really.
A jazz folk rock explosion that I found rather enjoyable
Odd and old
Odd and tedious
What terribly terribly waffly wank
I knew of Steve Winwood (and various bands), but hadn't heard of Traffic. Some parts felt too long, like a carried away jam session, but it's a short album so not too overbearing. The folklore of John Barleycorn was interesting to read up on. #TIL (Funnily enough, it was referenced in last week's Inside No. 9 episode "Mr. King") I enjoyed it. "Glad" could be a cinematic track, I'd half expect to see it popping up in a future Edgar Wright movie.
Prog folk not my scene.
Pretty good - clearly enjoy a jam jazz rock folk album or two. One track added to the roster
This all pretty much faded into the background and just sat there doing its thing without me. I kept trying to pay attention but ended up drifting away and ignoring it every time. It's entirely inoffensive, like a pleasant wallpaper.
Ekkert spes. Steve Winwood eina góða við plötuna.
Didn't listen to all but seemed goood
A good listen! An interesting jazz-y sound
It was enjoyable. I liked the instrumental combinations used.
“Psychedelic rock” albums don’t usually do it for me but man, I thought this was a good album. The use of so many different instruments (I heard harpsichord and some brass!) along with cool harmonies, I genuinely enjoyed this.