Traffic advise please!
Posted by: RICHYH on 22 March 2004
I have recently been reading abit about the early Traffic Lps and since I like John Barleycorn Must die alot would like to know what are the opinions of Traffic-traffic and Mr Fantasy and does anyone know how good the remastered cds are for sound. thanks
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by seagull
"Mr Fantasy" is full of old hippie toot.
There, someone said it
There, someone said it
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by J.N.
I have the 'John Barleycorn' remaster, along with another favourite - the wonderfully titled 'Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys'.
The sound is very good, given the vintage of the recordings.
The sound is very good, given the vintage of the recordings.
Posted on: 22 March 2004 by throbnorth
I'd say you can't go wrong with the first three albums, and would have added 'Last Exit' as an essential if unsatisfying coda, but I see that the best tracks from this have been added to the remasters, together with 'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush' [one of the standout items from the surprisingly un-re-released but quaint soundtrack album for the dreadful film of Hunter Davies's awful book - lots of period pieces on it].
Nick Lees & I saw them at their first ever gig at B'ham Town Hall. I expect we wore headbands, tie-dye T-shirts and carried a wilting tulip. Also on the bill were The Who, The Herd, The Tremelos and possibly The Spencer Davis Group - not quite sure about the last, but if I'm right it must have been interesting backstage. You got a lot for your 10/6d in those days [52 1/2p for you young'uns]
All you need, apart from these three is to somehow find Dave Mason's beautiful 'Little Woman' [mournful tune accompanied by an oud and slightly untuned cellos], which together with 'Just For You' [now on 'Traffic'] comprised the UK's first stereo single [trivia gem!!!], and you'll have the best of Traffic. To my mind, after they reformed, most of the magic was lost and they became just competent stadium fillers. Still not bad, though, if you like that sort of thing ... the odd moment ....
nostalgic throb in dusty loons
Oh, and if you're a vinyl hunter, the stereo & mono mixes of Mr Fantasy are markedly different [mono being the more interesting, I think - and the one we're not going to hear anymore].
Nick Lees & I saw them at their first ever gig at B'ham Town Hall. I expect we wore headbands, tie-dye T-shirts and carried a wilting tulip. Also on the bill were The Who, The Herd, The Tremelos and possibly The Spencer Davis Group - not quite sure about the last, but if I'm right it must have been interesting backstage. You got a lot for your 10/6d in those days [52 1/2p for you young'uns]
All you need, apart from these three is to somehow find Dave Mason's beautiful 'Little Woman' [mournful tune accompanied by an oud and slightly untuned cellos], which together with 'Just For You' [now on 'Traffic'] comprised the UK's first stereo single [trivia gem!!!], and you'll have the best of Traffic. To my mind, after they reformed, most of the magic was lost and they became just competent stadium fillers. Still not bad, though, if you like that sort of thing ... the odd moment ....
nostalgic throb in dusty loons
Oh, and if you're a vinyl hunter, the stereo & mono mixes of Mr Fantasy are markedly different [mono being the more interesting, I think - and the one we're not going to hear anymore].
Posted on: 23 March 2004 by docstocker
RICHYH
Last Exit and Mr Fantasy are period pieces that have not aged especially well. Dave mason left during Last Exit and ou will see a fractured Traffic 'logo' on the cover.
Traffic (traffic) is a great album which has worn well. It was produced by Jimmy Miller and engineered by Glyn John. The vinyl sounded great and i thought the Cd transfer pretty good. It is very different to John Barleycorn, but must be worth a punt to see if you like it too. John
Last Exit and Mr Fantasy are period pieces that have not aged especially well. Dave mason left during Last Exit and ou will see a fractured Traffic 'logo' on the cover.
Traffic (traffic) is a great album which has worn well. It was produced by Jimmy Miller and engineered by Glyn John. The vinyl sounded great and i thought the Cd transfer pretty good. It is very different to John Barleycorn, but must be worth a punt to see if you like it too. John
Posted on: 24 March 2004 by Rockingdoc
Feeling alright
Posted on: 25 March 2004 by Rockingdoc
I'd advise a change of scene.
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Thu 25 March 2004 at 9:15.]
Posted on: 25 March 2004 by Dave J
quote:
The Spencer Davis Group
Whilst we're reminiscing, I used to work with his daughter when I first moved to London in 1983.
She was utterly gorgeous and very tall and I thought there was no way she'd be interested in my "etchings". The day she left to go to the States to live with her Dad she asked me why I'd never made a pass at her, kissed me once, rearranging my tonsils in the process, and off she went, never to be seen again. Bugger!
Posted on: 25 March 2004 by RICHYH
thanks everyone I plumbed for all three remasterings and played the John Barleycorn which sounds good, the others will be tonight. thanks again
Posted on: 27 March 2004 by bdnyc
As an ex, post, neo Hippie, I would also point to two more Traffic albums from their main incarnation as interesting additions to the core albums, if you are still interested.
1- Live at the Canteen
This was one of my favorite live albums growing up, it has very energetic jams on their best known material, including a great "Gimmie Some Lovin'" taken a show in the late 60's.
2- When The Eagle Flies
This studio album came just prior to Traffic breaking up in the mid 70's, and while it is not their best material, which for my tastes would be "Low Spark", it is a much underrated album, with some haunting songs it.
If you haven't heard it, Steve Winwood's recent album is great, and more in the style of Traffic than some of his more pop oriented solo albums in the years inbetween.
Good listening
1- Live at the Canteen
This was one of my favorite live albums growing up, it has very energetic jams on their best known material, including a great "Gimmie Some Lovin'" taken a show in the late 60's.
2- When The Eagle Flies
This studio album came just prior to Traffic breaking up in the mid 70's, and while it is not their best material, which for my tastes would be "Low Spark", it is a much underrated album, with some haunting songs it.
If you haven't heard it, Steve Winwood's recent album is great, and more in the style of Traffic than some of his more pop oriented solo albums in the years inbetween.
Good listening