The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys - Traffic | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@andyandalex]

You guys spoke loud and clear and we listened, checking out their bread n’ butter, loving it! Cheers all thank you so much for watching! 🙌🏻🔥

[@viclagina347]

This is hold music to me... Not my cup of tea.... Too Kenny G.

[@Shadowrider1872]

Thanks for the kool start to the week gentlemen.

[@yettiman2817]

Right off the bat you said you were looking for a banger.... Space Truckin deep purple. Last child aerosmith, heaven and hell, black sabbath. Yer welcome. Hehe

[@michaelmalone3089]

Joni Mitchell please gentlemen 👍hugely frustrating that Joni hasn't been selected yet! but hey gentlemen its a democracy my brothers....if people aren't voting thats ok gentlemen......no problem with brother Michael!stay safe 🙏

[@loosilu]

This has 40 year replayability, gents. S tier.

[@rundoetx]

If you think this is an S Tier song from Traffic. Hit the like button on this comment. Maybe the boys need to hear it again and reconsider!!

[@patrickq7489]

I agree and think it is S tier, but that doesn't mean they have to. But I think you're right in that the more you hear it the more you appreciate it. I think that goes for most songs.

[@rundoetx]

@@patrickq7489i agree. Sometimes the songs or albums that need repeated listening before you "Get It" are the ones that you wind up liking the most in the long run.

[@patrickq7489]

@@rundoetx yup.

[@VeryUsMumblings]

I agree, but I'm completely biased. I think everything from Steve Winwood is great. :)

[@TahoeNevada]

rundoetx This song took me literally years to “get”. Now, I fucking love it! S Tier for sure!

[@rundoetx]

S Tier. One of the very best of Traffic. Nothing sounded like this when it was released.

[@aryehbarson]

And nothing has sounded like it since.

[@rundoetx]

@@aryehbarson Amen Brother, tbat why I keep.it on heavy rotation in my album selections.

[@geol1936]

@@aryehbarson IMHO, DTB is one of the closest for a few tunes.

[@aryehbarson]

@@geol1936 DTB = Derek Trucks Band?

[@geol1936]

@@aryehbarson Yes.

[@rundoetx]

Replayability??? I've been playing this album repeatedly for 49 years. It has a hell of a lot of replayability!!!!

[@loosilu]

Still sounded as good just now as it did when I was a kid!

[@rundoetx]

@@loosilu Amen Sister.

[@hatsbo1]

I laughed when reading that, but then I realized my wife and I just celebrated our 40th, so you're spot on, lol.

[@rundoetx]

@@hatsbo1 released in 1971. The year I graduated High School. Peace and Love to you and yours.

[@rundoetx]

@cosmicVox13 i can tell with that cool screen name. Have to have been around a while to understand "Cosmic" and Vox.

[@jimmyaye4204]

Early 70s - I used to put this album on, headphones, light some incense, turn out the lights, lay in my beanbag and let this music masterpiece wash over me. Traffic was the greatest fusion band ever. We got so spoiled we thought Rock would always be this good. And everybody's right - this is S-tier!!

[@ORION2180]

The word masterpiece gets thrown around a lot, this here is a masterpiece.

[@carolgarten-long7878]

Stevie Winwood doing his “ thang”. Sooooo talented

[@aviatom1]

Steve Winwood's keys and vocals are genious

[@thorolsen8057]

Listen to Light up or Leave me alone

[@rondarnell949]

Yes you are right. This song is a step above the norm. He may not have that hook that people jump on until. This song has stood the test of time. Years from now whe only the best of the best are still being reverence this will be one

[@jamesdunn9609]

As is almost every single song on Shootout at the Fantasy Factory. These guys were top shelf.

[@RicoBurghFan]

One of the coolest songs ever recorded. About their experience with dealing with record companies and managers, but somehow manages to be an expression of universal angst. Truly epic.

[@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio]

You don't know how much replayability this has? I've been coming back to it for the better part of thirty years, and some of the prior generation have been listening to it for almost fifty. This is clearly S tier.

[@michaelnovak2085]

As others have noted, it may take some time for them to recognize the genius of this song.

[@tomduke1150]

S tier all the way! I was a GI in Korea in 1972 when I first heard this--it was like an acid trip from 1967--in the dark with the music building. How many keyboards are in this song, at least three...

[@robertmoser3415]

This song is a MASTERPIECE nothing like it when it came out Nothing like it since Steve Winwood and company nailed this composition in every way

[@buddysdad2004]

You made the comment that you don't know how often you would come back to this song. I'm 60 years old and have heard this song 1000s of times. I don't listen to it every day. But when I do listen to it I rediscover it.

[@blindwillielee691]

This song is truly an endless song, it’s been playing in my head for about 50 years.

[@dianegoldeneye7363]

Mine too. Such a vibe. Love it

[@stephenlf706]

So the guy that's singing and playing piano, Stevie Winwood is the same guy who was in the Spencer Davis group when he was 16 the same guy who played on the extended version of Jimi Hendrix voodoo chile The same guy who was in Blind Faith and the same guy who had a successful solo run in the '80s

[@robertkroberjr.157]

Electric Ladyland is Awesome!

[@MoustReact]

And I thought SW was born in ‘86.

[@loosilu]

The same guy who was hired to play Hammond organ, backing up BB King, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and more, WHEN HE WAS 12 YEARS OLD.

[@iancarr8682]

Stevie Winwood also a great guitarist

[@loosilu]

@@iancarr8682 Yep, he did that killer guitar solo on Dear Mr. Fantasy. He also played the "other" acoustic guitar (with Clapton) on Can't Find My Way Home. So underrated.

[@mikek5958]

This was music for mood-lit basements, black light posters, turntable and kick-ass stereo systems, bumper pool tables, tasty bud, cold beers and hot chicks, sofa beds and no facebook, twitter, instagram, snapchat or any of that vain and vacuous nonsense to distract you from great friends, great times and the privileges of youth.

[@Walkerbtween]

Oh yeah, 🎶Memories🎶 😁

[@cwiii3378]

You said it...black light posters, turntable and kick-ass stereo systems, tasty bud. I was born in the 50's and what a time it was!!

[@mikek5958]

@@cwiii3378 I was born in the "Summer of Love" Will but I have uncles who were born in 1950 (one a combat Marine in Vietnam) and they taught me and my older brother everything they knew.

[@reliablebow]

Well said😎

[@lynnarthur-stillalive2025]

Those were the days my friend. Those were the days 😉

[@-R.Gray-]

Steve Winwood also was the organist that Hendrix dragged back to the studio after partying to record "Voodoo Chile". He was 14 when he joined The Spencer Davis Group in 1963, and was hailed as a white kid successor to Ray Charles after his rendition of "Georgia On My Mind". Two of that groups biggest hits were "I'm A Man", which was covered by Chicago on their first album, and "Gimme Some Lovin' ", which Paul Shaffer played frequently when going to commercial on David Letterman's Late Show.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

I was just going to say that (about Stevie playing keyboards on Voodoo Chile studio version, Spencer Davis Group, etc.) Great minds think alike!

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

Me too

[@loosilu]

Winwood was the Hammond organ guy in the UK. He was one of the only people who could play the Hammond. Before he was in Spencer Davis, he went on tour with the biggest names, Black American blues singers. AT AGE 12. His older brothers came and snatched him after gigs. His brother Muff Winwood joined Spencer Davis as the bass player, because that was the condition. Stevie can join the band but his older brother has to be there. When Hendrix needed a Hammond organ on Voodoo Chile, he sent people to drag Stevie out of a pub and made him put down the track. Imagine being that good.

[@donaldjackson1490]

I think I would add Brian Auger to the Hammond B3 British pantheon . If you never heard him play, check out his band Oblivion Express...

[@RiffJunky68]

You good people have enlightened me. Thank you! 🤘🏻 I didn’t fall in love with that beautiful and incredible Hammond sound until recently. Love the freaking daylights out of it now. Love how Boston and Deep Purple took organ to a whole nuther level. I will pull up the Hendrix reference. Thank you guys

[@Willie_McBride]

One of the greatest lines in R&R history; “ If you had just a minute to breathe, and they granted you one final wish, would you ask for something, like another chance?’

[@emilyflotilla931]

Oh my goodness...yes, haunting line. Trying to live my life so I won't have to!

[@dannymaguire879]

Winwood & Capaldi one of the best duo writing teams of their time. Empty pages, Many a Mile to Freedom, Rainmaker, Rock n' Roll Stew, Light Up or Leave Me Alone...... just to name a few.

[@karenscigliano9787]

YES!!

[@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio]

Steve Windwood was something of a wunderkind in the 60s. He played several instruments, sang lead vocals, wrote his own songs, and was a band leader by the age of 19, not to mention having a number one hit at the age of 17. The dreamy, jazzy, improvised qualities of this song are intensely transportative. Winwood's distorted Hammond organ throughout the song, pinched in processing until it sounds like a sax, is one of the most brilliant long-form solos of all time.

[@erblack2]

Winwood is on piano, a guy named Wood is actually playing the sax. Certainly agree with you though that the final product is dreamy, jazzy and transportive.

[@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio]

@@erblack2 Totally agree that Chris Wood is on the sax, and he's amazing. But I'm talking about the high-pitched soloing over the sax, the distorted kazoo sound that is virtually unrecognizable. Winwood plays Hammond organ in addition to the piano, and he solos on it in this unusual sound. If you listen to parts of it carefully you'll hear the rather mechanical crunch effect it has. (Listen at 9:18.) If you're familiar with Chick Corea's work with Miles Davis, you'll hear what I'm talking about. The alternative is that Winwood doesn't solo much on a song that is mostly about the jazzy soloing, which seems an utter impossibility to me.

[@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio]

@@erblack2 From an interview in Contemporary Keyboard June 1981: Bob Doerschuk: One of your earliest synthesizer solos was on the title cut of The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys, with that buzzy tone. Or was that a saxophone going through a fuzz-tone? Steve Winwood: Actually, it was an organ through a fuzz-box. BD: Fooled me twice! SW: Yes! but I think that was the idea. We had been looking for something like synths for a long time, I suppose. I wish they had been around ten years ago. I suppose they were, actually.

[@Skeezer66]

@@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio Thank You!!! This is as jazzy as Sunday afternoon brunch! Hahaha!! But really, this would be PERFECT on a jazz radio station.

[@827dusty]

This song is about how the record companies were able to leverage all of their music and recording contracts aginst the artists. The Big record companies made out like bandits, while people like Jimi Hendrix and many others were being taken advantage of financially. This is such an iconic Rock song for it's own content. Steve Winwood is a Rock pioneer.

[@ugaladh]

and pressuring them to not play music like this but more radio/pop songs like those "high-heeled boy" groups. Low spark referring to crappy music.

[@catserver8577]

I had never listened to the lyrics of this song, though I have heard it throughout my life for decades. I just now came to the same conclusion this time around. Good call. Kinda ballsy of them, if you think about it. It's like Have a Cigar only more on the down low.

[@4keystone1]

You gotta understand, this what we had before we heard Steely Dan. We lived it year by year, album by album. This song was so essential when we heard it; in real time;)

[@youcrazycat1]

Thats right brother!

[@Willie_McBride]

David Appleby, so very well articulated. And spot on accurate. Outstanding comment. +1 brother

[@codjh9]

And that's the thing: it's nothing against Andy & Alex, but they don't have the timeframe, references, etc.

[@sisuboy]

I'm 72, stoned, and I think I get what he's trying to say.

[@BogeyChef12]

Absolutely cannot be taken out of sequence. You’re so right.

[@MultiLakewood]

So many Stevie Winwood songs that are masterpieces. He plays the organ and piano like a magician.

[@billalbritton4972]

Outstanding guitarist as well.

[@rhwinner]

I love the space between the instruments that lets the song really breathe....

[@gswithen]

You will change this to S. No replayability? I guess I shouldn't have listened to it 10,000 times then. Rock and Roll Stew Light Up and Leave Me Alone Crack the Sky

[@amrak5028]

I guess we both need to have our ears Checked. This was 10,001 times I have listened. Maybe I need to listen to it again and "Get The VIBE".

[@5d512]

Same.

[@mrgmusicclass]

Yeah, I was stuck on this for months in college. I also thought it was pretty good, at first, then a few thousand listens later ...

[@mrgmusicclass]

You are correct about how natural their process was. They were definitely a jam based and organic band.

[@davidfinnell1660]

I agree! It get's better every time I listen to it! One of my favorite "chill" songs.

[@justinestes6400]

Traffic is best listened to while loosely tethered to the Earth, with a heightened sense of universal consciousness.👁👁Winwood can play a mean ax too!!

[@scottingram7634]

Never heard it put quite that way, but, yeah...

[@rmacbobco]

I reccomend blonde Lebanese hash

[@elowishusmirkatroid4898]

Introduced a group of young stoners to Traffic. Blew their brains.Great when us oldies can relate on the same level with Millennials.

[@TheReelgrrl]

Mushrooms 🍄 in the 70s, if you get the drift...

[@justinestes6400]

@@TheReelgrrl They're like magic!!

[@tomknoll796]

Thank you SO MUCH for this reaction - simply one of the coolest grooves EVER. Many people are mentioning Steve Winwood, obviously, but we should all take note of the utterly incredible drumming of the one and only Jim Capaldi. Again - thanks so much!

[@joeday4293]

This is actually Jim Gordon. Capaldi only sang and played percussion on this album. What we should actually do is acknowledge what a legend Jim Gordon is, and how incredibly sad his story is. He's a legendary drummer who appeared on dozens of seminal tracks of the late 60s and 70s, understudy to Hal Blaine as drummer for "The Wrecking Crew," the co-writer of "Layla"... and a schizophrenic who is in a prison hospital for life after murdering his mother.

[@revs-and-obs]

And the far under-appreciated Chris Wood!

[@tomknoll796]

@@joeday4293 You're right! I forgot Gordon played the lead kit on this and Capaldi was doing the auxiliary. Capaldi was the regular drummer throughout the band's existence - from about '67 to '75 - but Gordon came in for this album.

[@jeffkendrick6726]

@@tomknoll796 and Welcome to the Canteen.

[@barbarasalley]

Steve Winwood is the musicians' musician. Totally respected and sought after for collaborations with all of the best. Underrated by everyone except those in the industry.

[@marcfriedman7339]

I have heard this song more times than I can count, and still want more. I could listen to this song everyday and never get tired of it!!

[@pamelahofman1785]

The word that comes to mind about Steve Winwood is "respect." All you had to do is watch him play as a guest with other famous musicians and witness those famous musicians excited to introduce him with respect and awe on their faces and you'd know how well thought of he was in the business.

[@loosilu]

Here's Eric Clapton introducing Winwood in 2007 at Clapton's own festival. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2m7oodqoKeKipY

[@stephenurso9267]

I believe the beatles wanted him in their band.

[@loosilu]

@@stephenurso9267 I don't know about the Beatles. Winwood was Jimmy Page's first choice to sing for Led Zeppelin, but he had too many commitments, so they went with Plant.

[@pamelahofman1785]

@@loosilu Also playing with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWnRiKeOpZyhqZY The way the band greets and watches him during the performance is like they're a little starstruck.

[@loosilu]

@@pamelahofman1785 Thanks, I've never seen this! The audience's reaction when they hear the opening chords is fantastic.

[@dbadbt]

The best late night, two fingers of scotch, fire up the one-hitter song there is.

[@andyandalex]

@dbadbt Well said!

[@bullzeyez3236]

I can't believe this day has arrived. Thank you.

[@znaut]

I'm pretty stingy with my S's but this is an S. I don't have a problem with your ratings as that is what makes it all interesting. However, the criticism of limited replayability is not one I would have ever seen coming!

[@jeffkendrick6726]

Kids nowadays seem to have a very limited attention spam.

[@j.d.9010]

Finally! "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" isn't just a song...it's a melodic journey!

[@taradevine6026]

One of the best songs of all time! Thanks guys! 🤗

[@davidfinnell1660]

Finally! I knew it was coming from the podcast but it still feels like a surprise! I love this song! It's even better after the 100'th listen!😉

[@markgrant5305]

Bought this in 1971 and listened to it on headphones, aged 18. Have NEVER done drugs, but I did get high just listening to this. Love it!

[@andrewpetik2034]

YES!

[@tommythompson9565]

Music is a high all it's own. Drugs are a drag.

[@negf22]

Steve is a master! This is when F M started playing music and would allow longer songs then AM ( top 40). So Traffic rode that wave. Check out some of his other works with other bands--You put him and Clapton together and it’s magic!

[@ZalMoxis]

Late 60's early 70's music is all about transportation of the mind.....

[@lylewicks4112]

You guys would love Winwood's early career as a kid with Spencer Davis Group. "Gimme some lovin'" is real banger. So please make it snappy.

[@freddylubin]

The late Spencer Davis!

[@sahewins]

Also Keep on Running. Steve so young, but already so brilliant.

[@Wtfumean4511]

Need to hear Rock 'n Roll Stew, Glad, Light Up Or Leave Me Alone, Empty Pages etc. You've only scratched the surface of how great Traffic is.

[@Willie_McBride]

I have a feeling that if A&A would ‘Light up & Leave me alone’ give Low Spark a few more listens under those co ditto s, it becomes an all-time S Tier song

[@sherryheim5504]

I once saw a Steve Winwood concert I believe at The Universal Amphitheatre in L.A. He was late coming on stage and the stage was still dark. I was getting impatient and then through the darkness came that opening and unmistakable piano intro of this song. I got such a rush and I think I was smiling for entire rest of the concert. He is sooooooo good! Worth the price of a ticket to see him anytime. His piano skills just carry me away on those lonely notes from that great sax. Thanks for finally getting to this one. It is still one of my favorite songs even after almost 50 years. S tier A+ song for me, Guys. I hope to hear you agree with me when I hear your rating.

[@Drummingvulture]

I remember seeing a show of his broadcast on TV (MTV?) when he was just beginning to be known as a big solo artist (early '80s) and he opened exactly like you described. The crowd went nuts, and I wanted so badly to be a part of that audience. You are one lucky lady.

[@neonpark1874]

When there's a chance to get a ticket to see Steve Winwood (in any form or format) - buy it!

[@sherryheim5504]

@@Drummingvulture It might have been the same show, Universal Amphitheatre is often a venue for live recordings. I have attended a few such concerts there that were but I don't recall if Winwood was one of them. I know the Blues Brothers was because before I went to that concert, I had never heard of them.

[@reneebedrosian4445]

Replayability? I’ve been replaying this song for 50 years. It’s just as good today. FYI, check out Winwood’s solo work as well as his short time with the Spencer Davis Group. Such talent at 16 y.o.!

[@almoreno271]

I remember my drug dealer brother played this for me back in the early eighties when I was about 10 or 11... it shook me to my core. Music was different back then. Maybe because it was all tape and the whole natural compression thing that made it fill up the room or maybe it was the cold beer I was sneaking out of the fridge. Good times indeed!!

[@realbser1956]

When you look up the term Lost in the Sauce in the dictionary, it says see Low Spark of Heeled Boys.

[@neonpark1874]

Can confirm this.

[@dianefitzgerald2083]

I agree...

[@stevemurrell6167]

I think it actually says 'Dream Gerard'.

[@EricHenning]

💯

[@krisdoggett483]

Facts

[@christopherpohl8743]

Shot of whiskey, big old joint, and crank this up. Music Heaven. Days of the Album and long jam songs.

[@emilyflotilla931]

Yeah, Inna Gada Da Vida, Paradise by The Dashboard Lights

[@gerib4234]

Literally years since I've heard this. I loved it as teenager, but man, how I appreciate it as an adult! Timeless. Gents, I thank you for this! Keeping real music alive.

[@drkmriggs]

Geri B my buddy had a cassette tape of this album and we played it over and over in the darkroom of High School photography class. I think the teacher dug it too. Unmatched on the cool vibe scale.

[@lindatresslar5970]

Alex - I'm giving you a solid C on your grading of this.

[@alexjbennett1017]

MAKE IT SNAPPY!! the magic of this piece feels like Steve brought this composition to the band with his heart completely open and on the line, and the band members responded with their hearts open and on the line, so they made music from their souls -- no clash of egos or agendas that had to be smoothed out in subsequent takes, as Alex said so perfectly -- as in "they came, they played, they conquered" -- and as Andy said, it's so *human* -- just an organic selfless channeling of inspiration by wonderfully centered musicians. Andy mentioned the chorus -- if it's a chorus, it's just one line, but beautifully framed with the surge in the arrangement -- anyway, Steve's lyrics use a device Bob Dylan used a lot, where the last line of the verse rhymes with the chorus but nothing else in the earlier verse, so that in each verse, when Steve ends a line with something like the word "toys" (like he does in the first verse) you know the chorus is the next line with "boys"). It's something how well the jam works, because it's way more jazz than rock.

[@michaelvallejo8148]

Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi, all kinds of talent, but Traffic's secret weapon is Chris Wood. He added a dimension to Traffic that took them to another level.

[@TheCornishCockney]

first time i heard this i was 17 (in about '71 i think) and we were all round a friends house listening to albums and getting stoned,and on hearing this whilst spaced on strawberry fields (acid) i entered a different dimension and this song and this band ,with the ridiculously talented steve winwood,stayed with me from that night/day. the music back then was astonishingly good. It was a regular thing to all go to a friends place,bring food,beer,dope,and ONE album.We'd chill and soak up the music and just get lost in it. We used to rate the albums we'd just heard and make comments about production,instruments used,and even where it was recorded,then all play football the next night,girls too! Music was simply the fucking best back then. Nothing like it today.......fakebook? twatter? Pffffft. Wouldn't swap my time for any other era in history,especially todays sorry state of everything.

[@brak7865]

This was always played for the “chill” phase of our trips.

[@revs-and-obs]

Exactly!

[@JimGeigerMusic]

... ok boomer

[@benavich8]

As a long time bassist, this is the first song I ever learned on my Univox Hi-Flyer bass. Such a cerebral, cool tune. Mr. Winwood has always been one of my favorite artists. His debut, solo album from 1977, aptly titled Steve Winwood, is truly one of the best collection of songs I've ever heard. It's been out of print for some time now, not easy to find, but if you can get, well GET IT! Time is Running Out, Vacant Chair...yeah, the good stuff. Peace. ✌

[@dadof4813]

I get what you’re saying in terms of this isn’t a song that you would seek out to play but it’s the type of song that when it pops up on your playlist you welcome it like an old friend.

[@pinkstarphoenix6182]

This song was one that my husband and I would listen to while driving up Highway 101 in the Pacific Northwest. Cool, misty, dim light, the ocean, birds flying and nothing but the empty beach and rocks...

[@lreadlResurrected]

This song may be the Holy Grail. It transcends time and space.

[@KlingonPrincess]

Just wondering what you think of Stranglehold. I've always found it transcendent.

[@kentclark6420]

This song is so bluesy and nostalgic, and so transcendental that it almost takes you back to a primordial state of existence. It would be a good song to listen to in an isolation tank.

[@aryehbarson]

As much as you got Steve Winwood as a vocalist, he really hooked you with his keyboard playing. I don't think there's ever been anyone who knew how to play electric saxophone like Chris Wood. This song is such a groove to play, but it is a jam, it is improv with all musicians listening to each other.

[@loosilu]

He was one of the few people in England who could play Hammond organ, so the biggest American blues acts hired him to back them up when they toured in the UK. He was a CHILD!

[@sheilaswegler4859]

That is so cool to have 2 sax sounds expressing this.

[@mrgmusicclass]

Killer guitar player too. That's him going off in Mr Fantasy

[@bopep1368]

@@mrgmusicclass ive seen him 3 times-once with Eric Clapton. He played guitar most of the time in all three concerts and nearly the entire time with EC. He went off in the EC concert. Surprised EC deferred to him so much and also that he shredded the guitar.

[@dylandenney3980]

@@bopep1368 that's one of the things that makes EC SO cool. He's as much of a fanboy as anybody. At the Crossroads festivals he loves sharing the stage with the younger guys like Mayer, Trucks, Randolph, and Doyle II.

[@cynthiadepriest8192]

Check out Stevie Winwood in an earlier group called Spenser Davis Group.

[@kevinmeerschaert9487]

What makes this song a classic is that it can mean different things to different people.

[@chrisgott3456]

Very few rock songs this long just FLY by like this one; I dwell on every damn note. I just fall in a mental hole every time I hear it. Hypnotic.

[@erblack2]

Interesting note: there is no guitar in this song. Winwood is the pianist on this song, the guitarist on Dear Mr. Fantasy, organist on Gimme Some Lovin', vocalist on all. Talented, diverse. The saxophonist's style seems totally unique to me- it's just a different approach to sax. And there certainly is an excellent youtube video of Traffic doing this song live in 1971 (the whole concert).

[@RiffJunky68]

ray - so the “guitar” soloing is actually a sax maybe?

[@GordonEngels]

No guitar needed here, For guitar, "Sometimes I Feel So Uninspired" has my fav Winwood solo

[@recyclerhopkins]

Traffic Live at Santa Monica 1972 is the concert and it's a little over an hour long with 8 classic Traffic songs.

[@gbuter3948]

@@RiffJunky68 Chris Wood and Eddie Harris were plugging in and using similar effects at that time , with groovy results

[@virginiatressider5753]

Steve Winwood was almost certainly the suprene musuician of his era, which was why he never became a megastar. He was about the music, not the fame.

[@jcroston3266]

Finally!!!! It’s a great song from a great band. Vibe all the way from beginning to end. They hav so many hits. Glad, Rock n Roll Stew, paper sun, Shanghai Noodle Factory. You won’t be disappointed by any of them.

[@Shadowrider1872]

I've always loved this song. A bit of everything is great if done right, like here.

[@billheineman472]

This song was a statement against a corrupt music industry ... glad you enjoyed it. This Lp has been in my top 20 stack since the day it was released.

[@clemdewitt4522]

That band live WAS mesmerizing, one of the best concerts I have ever enjoyed. Great tune, great album.

[@bodhisattva3774]

Thanks for making it snappy, boys!

[@bob_._.]

And having listened to this, *NOW* you're ready for In-A-Godda-Da-Vida. Make it snappy!

[@susanklasinski1805]

Although not part of this iteration of Traffic, Dave Mason was an original member, but left the band for creative differences. Dave's got some good solo stuff. Try "Only You Know and I Know" or "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave".

[@SaverioP]

And don't forget "We Just Disagree".

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@SaverioP Yes for sure. I have a habit of requesting too many songs, so I try (haha) to limit it to two. But We Just Disagree is great too!

[@sheilaswegler4859]

Thanks. I'm gonna check them out. My phone company is severely throttling my speed, so not until the 14th when my data restriction lifts. (Barely made it through this psychologically, but *had* to stay put to the end)

[@donaldjackson1490]

The Whole Let it Flow album is gold

[@sherrys5172]

Only You Know and I Know and We Just Disagree are musts.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

When the iconic bass player, Leland Sklar, is asked what musicians he has NOT played with that he wished that he had, his answer is always Steve Winwood. Coming from Sklar, who has played WITH more artists than he has not, that’s showing mucho respect for Winwood.

[@joeday4293]

Somehow it doesn't sound right that Lee Sklar has never played with Steve Winwood. I would have sworn he had.

[@brettv5967]

Thanks for doing this one guys. One of my very favorite tunes. Had it on vinyl and then cassette and now digitally. Personally, I cannot tire of this one. And yes, the live version is “snappy” too.

[@leahbice3365]

I have seen Traffic live.....absolutely amazing. Steve Winwood...very underrated.

[@loosilu]

The most unassuming rock god of all time.

[@edwardbarrett453]

Sorry guys you missed the most mystical wonderful time in the evaluation of music. I’m happy I was born in the 50s so I came up with all this great music I’ve been to hundreds of shows when all these band were in their prime.......keep going you have a long way to go still

[@meeeka]

And, the tickets were under $15-$20! One could be a relatively penniless LITTLE KID and be able to go see Dylan, the Stones, Elton John, you name it. And be safe there too, if the Stones weren't hiring the Angels as security!

[@johnmusser8925]

@@meeeka 1970 stones tickets were six dollars weed was fifteen an ounce and dose was a dollar

[@dianedavies8291]

Traffic was my first concert when I was 14 years old. ✌️

[@brak7865]

Wow!!!!! I am not the envious type, but I definitely envy you that! Never got to see them perform. Saw Stevie Winwood solo years later.

[@dianedavies8291]

Brak Traffic was my first concert in 1974 then Zeppelin in 75 right before I saw Queen so it was a great start for me.✌️

[@brak7865]

Diane Davies That’s the perfect trifecta! I was 15 - My first was Elton John in 76, then Queen and Zeppelin in 77. I think we might have been separated at birth 😆

[@dianedavies8291]

Brak only reason I didn’t see Zeppelin in 77 was the tour was cancelled before they got to Philly. I finally had backstage passes thanks to my Dad with an escort lined up lol. He was a homicide cop and always got me great tickets, but Queen I cut school to get front row. Shook Brian May’s hand and he let me request a song Keep Yourself Alive I somehow muttered...I was so star struck lol.

[@davecummings2424]

Cool! My first concert was The Rolling Stones in '69 at age 16.

[@mvellis3863]

Traffic is one of the best "jam" bands of all time. When they get into an extended groove, no one is better

[@dianegoldeneye7363]

Hell of a ride. 21 when I first heard it And still listening to this today. MAsterpiece

[@thomasstambaugh5181]

"The frickin piano soloist"??? Heh -- that would be Stevie Winwood, you guys. He was famous as a keyboardist long before he was famous as a singer.

[@JimDorman]

S Tier for me -- "Make it snappy." Try "Back in the High Life Again" with James Taylor on background vocals - you should do some JT if you haven't already. "Fire and Rain" is a great one too.

[@jimblaine741]

They need to do the whole Back In The High Life Again album..but they still have to go through the musical voyage of Steve Winwood's career to appreciate it fully

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Oh WOW: I never knew that JT sang background vocals on that! One of my favorite songs from the eighties. Loved that whole album.

[@paulandresen8452]

Such a joy to watch you guys groove to the bridge--the sax, the organ, the piano. Just like I did the first time I heard this. Enjoy, and make it snappy!

[@bookjeannie]

This was one of those songs that made you gasp the first time you heard it & the fall in love. Bought all their albums. Cool album cover too.

[@mightyneponset1560]

Gents - I just have to say what a real pleasure it is to join you on your journey of discovery through all of this great music. Some of us are older than others, some not so much, but we can all recall that feeling when we heard a song like this for the first time - and now we get to watch you make that same discovery. Thanks for sharing that with us, and reminding us of how we felt that very first time, and why we love the songs so much. All of that being said, we haven’t seen anything that makes you scream ‘orange slice’ in a while, so you boys better get on that - and make it snappy! 🎶

[@viclagina347]

Thanks again for giving us quality production and entertainment

[@andyandalex]

@Vic Lagina Appreciate ya man! 😁

[@MapManLK]

Back in 1971, when this was released, this was a MUST for those "chemically enhanced" evenings with friends. Ahhhhh. . .the memories!

[@Shawney-jf6kc]

Not really...if you appreciate music.

[@terryhuwe2184]

The ones who posted a thumbs down have absolutely no good taste in great music!

[@Largeagegaplove]

They came here for the "Partridge Family"

[@terryhuwe2184]

@@Largeagegaplove Very poor choice of words.

[@j.h.3777]

@@Largeagegaplove Hey! Don't knock the Partridge Family! "I think I love you" was a great song and my brother had the album..lol

[@bertmustin]

They might have thumbed down the reaction and not the song itself.

[@michaelmontalvo5757]

"It felt very human." Amen. Organic jamming. Piano, Sax interplay is wonderful.

[@patrickwilson7318]

Classic 70's music written and performed by artists who were raised listening to classic blues artists from the American Deep South and around the western Great Lakes region around Chicago and Detroit. Stevie Winwood was barely 20 years old when he was writing and performing these songs, that great falsetto voice placing him in rarefied air all his own.

[@IAMCAVE]

Amen to that. It’s surprising to me that a lot of these reactors seem to miss the influences on the bands of the 60’s & 70’s coming from the genre of jazz, R&B, soul, doo wop groups, etc. that’s why the 60’s/70’s had the best music across all genres.

[@ericwilliams1031]

Blind Faith "Presence Of The Lord" and Spencer Davis Group (feat. Steve Winwood) "Gimmie Some Lovin"

[@paulhansberry8168]

Like 25 Or 6 To 4, they keep adding more instruments to the song. This is their premium song,added everything in the pantry, fridge and half the spice rack and came up with this, so tasty!!

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

No Chicago was okay but 25 or was roo commercial for wimpy girly boys

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

And nothing "tasty or spicey" about it...stupid terms to begin with

[@adambnyc4875]

Andy, great shirt -- it's snappy! Check out "Feeling Alright?" to experience the soulful, Dave Mason side of Traffic. "Empty Pages" and the instrumental "Glad" if you want more Stevie Winwood. "Roll With It" from Stevie's solo career -- but very 80s production on the solo stuff, and we know how Alex loves that.

[@danielsherwood3460]

Can't hear Traffic without giving props to the greatest drummer of his day, Superman Jim Gordon.

[@aviatom1]

Absolute masterpiece by Steve Winwood and the boys. Saw a bar band cover this in the late seventies or early eighties and they nailed it. Good times

[@rundoetx]

Can you see the inspiration for bands like Steely Dan to follow after this band?

[@joeday4293]

Well, indeed, the first thing they did was snag Jim Gordon for the drum chair.

[@rundoetx]

@@joeday4293 His playing on this song is perfect.

[@donnas2482]

Steve Winwood's solo career in the 80's was one of the highlights of the decade! You must check out the album Back In the Highlife...much more commercial, radio bangers, all very positive and uplifting. I pull out that album every time I need a spiritual uplifting. His pop hit Valerie (different album) just makes you smile. and make it snappy.

[@dwc1964]

"Higher Love" from that album - with Chaka Khan! very much more commercial, radio-friendly album & period of his career, will meet with disdain from Blind Faith / Spencer Davis Group old-school purists, but if you just want a fun time, you'll find it there

[@cari8792]

My first outdoor concert was the Back in the Highlife Tour. Incredible and memorable!!

[@LoopORama]

Steve Winwood solo hits: Higher Love, While You See a Chance, Back in the High Life Again, The Finer Things, Roll With It, Valerie

[@EchoBravo370]

every song a banger

[@catherinelw9365]

Arc of the Diver - my favorite.

[@furtherdefinitions1]

"high heeled boys" refers to young men who've achieved high positions in their professions, in this context, the record company execs and managers. I did see this band live, first in 68, then in 71, then in 74. Always great.

[@Shawney-jf6kc]

But the guys did wear high heels in the 70’s. But not spikes. 😂😂

[@maxrichey5711]

Very close. You studied the lyrics. Actually, the young men were the musicians achieving greatness in spite of the execs and managers who profited from their creative greatness. There was no better place to discover collaborative greatness than Muscle Shoals. The moral is to keep making music, they'll get theirs in the end. I am proud you got so close.

[@williamralston9003]

A high heeled boy is a heroin speedball. The low spark is the feeling as it hits. The gun that doesn't make any noise was the man overdosing

[@curunduraj]

The contributions to Traffic from Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi cannot be overstated. Check out Capaldi's song on the same album "Light Up or Leave Me Alone." Capaldi on lead vocal too.

[@billalbritton4972]

Also wrote most of the lyrics. This is Jim Gordon on drums.

[@davidfinnell1660]

Clearly a song about the music industry!

[@fewwiggle]

C'mon, has to be an "S" -- the song is iconic and unforgettable.

[@Lightmane]

There's nothing wrong with an A or A+. It's a great song. They gave Close to the Edge an A, and I was fine with that, even though for me it's S-tier+

[@32INCHSTRIPER]

Who didn't like getting A's and A+ in school?

[@catherinelw9365]

It's unforgettable because it's repetitive. *ducks*

[@keef7224]

You guys would love the album John Barleycorn Must Die: Glad/Freedom Rider, Empty Pages, title track...hell, the whole album is fire. Traffic was like no other band.

[@jenndavin]

Agreed. Timeless. You'll hear a bit of a lot of prog bands even in the jazz sound of Winwood's genius. He will one day be recognized for his truly ahead of it's time amazingness.

[@DaughterofDarkness]

What a good way to start the week!

[@johncampbell756]

Most of the album John Barleycorn Must Die is great especially Glad, Empty Pages, Freedom Rider. Feeling Alright (Joe Cocker does a great cover.) Previous to Traffic he was in The Spencer Davis Group and had two big hits as a teen, "Gimme Some Lovin" and "I'm a Man" (Chicago did a great cover). Solo: While You See a Chance & Valerie (Steve plays/ did everything except write the lyrics). Back in the High Life Again, Roll With It, Higher Love, The Finer Things Don't forget Steve played keyboards on Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile that you did on Patreon. Edit: The lyrics are about music being the low spark of musicians and is an attack on the industry and the men in suits making money while the artists are living beyond their means.

[@Brian-tb1zs]

Great Album I haven’t thought of in years. John Barleycorn must die , need to start a drive somehow to bring it to Andy and Alex’s will do full album list 👍. Nobody of this generation could know of it.

[@spicy321]

I second that idea! I like that album better than this one, actually.

[@uncabuzz118]

Winwood formed TRAFFIC at 19. Excuse me! This was after a few years with Spencer Davis Group. Prodigy!!!

[@fallout51]

This is the coolest song I've ever heard. I'm 69 & I've listened to music all my life.

[@kwon99]

Thank you so much guys for putting that song out there.....a classic among classics! It’s a collective improvisational piece that stands far out there alone by design. You’ll be going back to it repeatedly I promise. The ending chord is so out there, so out of the song’s key that it challenges us as listeners to decide if this last improvisational chord stretch fits or not. It’s right on the edge let’s face it. After knowing this song for so long and for the countless times I’ve played it, I couldn’t imagine any another ending as fitting. Thank you again for resurrecting this outstanding and gutsy piece. Cheers!