John Barleycorn Must Die

Meh

Unlucky, John

Es un disco con musica

Not really my jam. Get it?

Never ever heard of traffic. Glad has a fun sound. English 70s prog jazz? Turns out as im struggling to figure out how to actually rate the album, Glad has only continued, and thats too long. Im over it. Title track is unlistenable.

It was nice! My favorite song was the instrumental one.

Short (which counts for a lot) and perfectly fine, but not particularly good.

Glad - 4/5 Freedom Rider - 4/5 Empty Pages - 4/5 Stranger to Himself - 3.5/5 John Barleycorn - 4/5 Ever Mother's Son - 4/5 A mostly jazz-rock album with some progressive twinges that made me surprised to actually like it despite not having a clue what this was before listening.I knew I recognized the voice from somewhere, and I thought, "well this is a prog-adjacent band so I guess he sounds like Peter Gabriel." It was Steve Winwood. I feel ashamed. Oh well, it was nice knowing that I do not in fact know ball. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Glad, Freedom Rider, John Barleycorn

A good jazz album really is a great thing. It works at so many different times in life and just as well as background music and as the main focus. I would have liked more instrumental parts but this is still a really great album.

I liked the way that the album opened, Glad and Freedom Rider are good jazz rock numbers. I enjoyed the album less the longer it went, I'm not much of a fan of the prog rock vibe. Overall I'm glad that unheard this

Solid(maybe j cuz im drunk) almost a 4

This is #day805 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... looking back at my review of the first Traffic album I got a long while ago, I don't seem to have been impressed by it. Maybe another spin would refresh my memory? Anyway, I think I've grown to be more open-minded over the course of this challenge, and this is some good jazz rock for a Thursday evening. As usual, not a fan of the prog side of things, though. Let it be a 3 out of 5 this time. Looking forward to #day806.

like okay, empty pages was the only good song tbh. quite dad music

kind of just fine

I always remember thinking, when it came to Traffic, that is was such a shame that such a talent such as Steve Winwood spent so much time with such a banal group as Traffic. And that was all based on not really hearing much Traffic, just a feeling I got. A feeling vindicated upon hearing this album. A couple of highlights but otherwise generally pretty MoR, chuntering along stuff with seemingly little end goal in sight.

As a coeliac I agree with the anti gluten messaging of the albums title, the rest of the album is meh sadly

Volvemos al reto con esta banda que, creo, me suena de nombre. Me pareció un disco agradable de escuchar. Tiene temas más rockeros y otros más colgados, pero todos en un mood de esos años: hippie, folk, tranca, levemente psicodélico. Muchas gracias y hasta mañana

Mangler revidering

ok

Bit of a filler album. Absolutely fine, nothing more

Some good background music

I just rather enjoyed this

A jazzy prog rock album that contains more organs than a human body. I liked it well enough; some of the guitar solos were really good, that guy could shred, but by the halfway mark I had had enough of the gratuitous saxophone. Overall it was good, but pretty low on my list of prog rock records. 3/5

Better than expected. Enjoyed it.

Standouts Glad Stranger to Himself

Not bad. Empty Pages is probably the best song. I did find it amusing that once again Steve Winwood had a hand in this one. The deluxe edition specifically. That guy is everywhere.

That was a pleasant surprise. Solid album, start to finish. No complaints, just not really my style. I'll give it 5 stars, though, because it's really well done.

I was hoping for another Mr Fantasy but alas it was not to be. Respect to the talent level on display but the jazz tinged, organ heavy style just isn’t my bag, I much prefer their early psychedelic rock style. 2.4

Quite like some of this. The folky jams are good, if a little long. Some nice vocal parts too.

Not good, not bad - 3

I enjoyed the vibes and instrumentation. Vocals were smooth and matched the sound very well. 3.4/5. I'd listen again.

Yes this was a jazz album. Idk what more you want from me.

Groovy. Very much enjoyed the traditional folk song. Neat album.

The first song was actually just background noise. The last song was pretty good, I liked that! The rest of the album? Good background noise. #5

I like the album cover. But don't really know what to say about this one. Not a lot of melodies to latch on to. Sometimes Winwood's voice sounds amazing, sometimes it's grating. The first two tracks are really great - bluesy/jazzy, but pretty average after that.

Favorite Track: Empty Pages

Prog’et uden at blive latterligt (Jeg kigger på jer Yes). Et klart frontloaded album der lægger ud med sine to bedste tracks. Ærgerligt at niveauet svinger derefter.

Like being stuck in Traffic, musically.

I shouldn't really like this but it has something. very 70s feel, especially the wind instrument solos! perhaps it's that the music feels real, not regurgitated, or the old style keyboard (¿moog / melotron?)

This album is basically how I imagine the ’70s sounding in my head. It could be the entire soundtrack to *Anchorman*, which I love. It has some sweet jazz flute. I could also absolutely see myself putting this on for a road trip. “John Barleycorn” in particular is fantastic.

This is a great rock album with a lot of soul and a little prog. I have heard of it for years, but didn't get to listen to it until now, so thank you 1001 list. Liked Songs Added: Freedom Rider Empty Pages

The first two tracks sound like they were lab-grown to appeal to prog heads like me. Being catered to has never sounded so good.

Loved it, really tuned in to the rock/ jazz/ folk vibe that bounces around between the jam-ish sounding songs. Every song had something in it that I really enjoyed. Definitely a kind of album I would showcase to people when asked if I found anything good from the list. Empty Pages specifically was an all timer for me.

Bit of a genrebender

Good jazz rock. Started strong but my interest waned

A very folksy album, sounding a bit jazzy in parts. This album showcases Chris Wood's distinctive flute and saxophone work alongside his take on traditional English folk music. I can't say anything really stood out for me, though it's nice enough and mellow. 6/10

Wasn't quite sure what genre I was listening to: a healthy dose of bland jazz, a bit of traditional-leaning folk with a prog influence on top. I didn't like it.

This doesn't feel particularly genre defining or important in any huge way but I do like it. It feels like a gateway drug to prog rock. Just enough flute, organ and musical interludes to keep it funky but with a short run time and nothing to avant garde to scare anyone off.

I had their self-titled album generated a few months ago and was surprised I'd never listened to Traffic before because it's the exact type of music I would have loved growing up. That said, this album is less blues rock and has more of a prog rock and jazz fusion thing going on compared to the last one. The flute playing gives them a bit of a Jethro Tull vibe. Overall, I prefer this sound a little more and I can see myself returning to it for sure.

Can you get standard progressive? I don't know. It's pretty middle of the road, just enough soul to make up for the folk

Absolutely love this so far. Great album. I did recognize one of the tracks and had no idea it was traffic.

Damn, that was good. Each member of the band shows off their mastery of their instrument, but also their mastery of whole genres. It starts strong with a fully instrumental jazz track, which made my 10-months-old daughter dance. It then evolves into mostly rock, or at least jazz-rock, and full-on folk with the titular song "John Barleycorn", then back to rock. I really like the fusion, it's an interesting mix of styles that makes the album pretty diverse, despite the fact that it's only 6 songs.

Decent. It's hard to decipher this album's identity because there are so many elements from different genres present. I can hear the influences of Neil Young, Jethro Tull, and Stevie Wonder.

Surprisingly unique. A pleasant surprise.

Steve Winwood is the goat

Didn't enjoy this very much. Very self indulgent with long meandering songs that didn't really go anywhere for me.

Listening session: september 26th, while eating dinner Listened to before: no Thoughts: okay album but nothing too memorable Favourite tracks: Freedom Rider & John Barleycon

I’ll admit that I came into this record with a bit of bias. For my money, Steve Winwood is one of the top 5 singers in rock. His voice is just incredible. But there’s so much more to Traffic albums. There’s tons of great playing and musicality, both of which are readily on display in this album, including right from the jump with Glad. The title track proved to be my favorite, a song very much in the Jefferson Airplane, Jethro Tull, Gordon Lightfoot kind of style. The rest of this is very good, but not amazing. On the balance, this is an excellent record though. Fun to go back and listen to.

Stranger To Himself stood out. I liked this album, but it does sound very similar to a lot of the albums that came out at this time. 3/5

Izbeidzam ar sito žanru

Super cool

Eh

John Barleycorn must have died of boredom.

I’ve never been a huge Steve Winwood fan, although I do like some of his later solo hits. His voice isn’t really the problem here. This just isn’t the version of him I’m all that interested in. There’s some really good playing, especially the organ, and I liked how Traffic mixed rock, jazz, and folk together. “Glad” was a solid opener, and the title track was probably the most interesting song for me. I liked that old folk-song feel more than some of the longer jam sections. Nothing here was bad, and there were parts I enjoyed. It’s just one of those albums where I can appreciate the musicianship without feeling much urge to hear it again.

Da riascoltare in relax

Very 1970, so the sound of it irritates me. The music is not bad at all.

this album sounds to me like balding should feel... (3.0/5.0)

Can someone please tell me who the hell John Barleycorn was and why he had to die lolll - it's my least favorite on the record but Empty Pages makes up for it, it's a massive highlight, what a track. Great album, where'd these pasty white Brits get so much soul.

Solid album although Low Spark is better.

Like watching paint dry.

Little Stevie Winwood was 22 years when this album is recorded. I can't really fathom that. Already a veteran of three bands that had notable success and influence - this is his first album being the primary creative force. Though vocals are sparse - the boy certainly has something say. It's a vibe for sure. 3.5 stars.

I liked the opening instrumental Glad, and the title track was also OK but a bit too twee and earnest for me. The rest of the tracks I didn't care for, and the flute was an unwelcome addition for me.

Listened to it three times.

Day 404 Liked these cunts a lot. Highlights Glad Empty Pages Every mothers son

Another 70s album you could of not listened too and you wouldn’t have missed much

Saturday, 19 September, 2026 This is fine. Some interesting songs. Not Traffic or Winwood’s best.

Pleasantly surprised by this one. Good variety, packed into 34 mins

This fucking rips. I’m not a huge fan of psychedelic traffic but this is a magical blend of prog rock and yacht rock. 4.5

Traffic was good on the way down

A solid blend of jazz, prog, folk, and a bit of jam

09/17 Was okay

Yeh this was a solid 60's/70's addition. I'd never heard this one. Some nice acoustic stuff

Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die (1970) Proggy, funky, pastoral, slightly bluesy. Long songs. Winwood’s soulful voice. A good listen. Scraping a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sax, organ, and flute on the same songs. I feel spoiled.

Boring.

It's okay, I like the jazz aspect of it and that its a short album. I'd listen again.

nice sound

I'm sorry but I cba with this kind of thing. It feels a bit like bland easy listening rock, not for me and that's okay.

Oh no it's another jam band. Really boring sorry, only gets two stars because of the passable version of the title track.

I don't know much Traffic music and nothing on this sounded familiar to me (other than Winwood's voice.) A few tracks sounded basically like jazz. It was OK but I definitely didn't need to hear it before I die.

Not memorable. Not bad

Lindo. Instrumentalização riquíssima, até umas flautas aparecem, piano, órgão, tudo de bom. Bem “jammy” em sua natureza, por bem e por mal, aí vai do gosto de cada um. Eu curto essa pegada improvisada, e acho a música muito bem executada. Disco curto, daqueles que dá vontade de ouvir várias vezes seguidas. Elogio grande. Curti bastante, ficará salvo. 5/5

Pleasently suprised nice melodies however instantly forgetable

That was really fun. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't troubleshooting a stressful issue with our QuickBooks pipeline. But good none the less!

A breathe of musical fresh air. Between winwoods vocals and the killer band, loved this album. 4.3.

This is right up my alley; Some funky jamming. Jazz rock! 9/10 Outstanding

Decent. If Mr. Fantasy had been on this album I would've given it a 4.

Competent musicians made tasteful sounds in my general vicinity for 35 minutes.

6/10 – Decent

More like John Barleycorn Needs a Nap, am I right? It's like Traffic heard my "background music for a retirement home" playlist and said, "Hold my pint of Ovaltine." Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Glad - Empty Pages - John Barleycorn