THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS

Another album which, like the preceding John Barleycorn, took a while to grow on me. In retrospect, it's clear that The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys is where the Traffic sound really came together - with the repeated structures and pristine production of modern jazz, the extended jamming of the more psych-influenced end of prog, and a smooth sheen over all. Add some folkier influences via Chris Wood's flute work on some sections, and Traffic are almost blazing a trail which would later be taken by Caravan in their poppier moments. The lyrics of the title track may be nonsense and a little repetitive, but just listen to Steve and tell me he doesn't feel every syllable.