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pero View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Traffic
    Posted: March 24 2006 at 07:48

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/

On this list Traffic is prog band

What do you think of that?

IMO "Traffic on the road" is exellent jazz/ rock album, but the rest......

 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:03
I don't remember which album I heard from them,but there were nice proto-prog songs...it was Mr.Fantasy,I guess ..it has House for Everyone...and that jam at the ending...and a song with sitar and phone-conversation in the middle...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:08
They are on this site

I'm a big fan ... in fact I have every they have ever released ... Start off quite psych (which also passes for proto-prog) go more mainstream for the second album ... then a little dash of folk and a lot of soulful jazz-rock, more extended jams than elaborate prog ...

but frequently briliant, IMO

My favourite albums are Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die and The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Girls ... although the first one Mr. Fantasy is probably best for psych fans ... the title track is a psych masterpiece!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:16

Originally posted by Trotsky Trotsky wrote:

They are on this site

I'm a big fan ... in fact I have every they have ever released ... Start off quite psych (which also passes for proto-prog) go more mainstream for the second album ... then a little dash of folk and a lot of soulful jazz-rock, more extended jams than elaborate prog ...

but frequently briliant, IMO

My favourite albums are Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die and The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Girls ... although the first one Mr. Fantasy is probably best for psych fans ... the title track is a psych masterpiece!

I didn't know they are on the list.

My favorites are Mr. Fantasy, On the road, John Barleycorn must die, Traffic (1968).

I agree with you, they had psychedelic elements on their beginnings, and more jazz influence on the end.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:29

Originally posted by Trotsky Trotsky wrote:

They are on this site

I'm a big fan ... in fact I have every they have ever released ... Start off quite psych (which also passes for proto-prog) go more mainstream for the second album ... then a little dash of folk and a lot of soulful jazz-rock, more extended jams than elaborate prog ...

but frequently briliant, IMO

My favourite albums are Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die and The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Girls ... although the first one Mr. Fantasy is probably best for psych fans ... the title track is a psych masterpiece!

They are also my favourite tracks!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:31
"The low spark..." is definetly prog and Traffic is prog IMO.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:39
Their first two albums are psychedelic.
High heels and Shoot out are definitely Symphonic prog.

These 4 albums are very good, i feel this band is a bit underrated on this site.
(then again maybe not judging by the reactions above)



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:40
Looks like we generally agree then! 

I was a little disappointed by the last two studio albums ... Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory (although a good rocky title track and Roll Right Stones is very nice) and When The Eagle Flies (maybe Dream Gerrard is the best song)

The reunion 90s album Far From Home was more in the style of Steve Winwood's solo albums, good but not outstanding ...

Personally I still prefer the mix of styles when Dave Mason was still in the band!

Here are 10 great songs offhand ... maybe I'll think of another 10 soon!

1) Dear Mr. Fantasy
2) 40,000 Headmen
3) John Barcelycorn Must Die
4) Pearly Queen
5) Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
6) Stranger To Himself
7) Glad
8) Hidden Treasure
9) Shanghai Noodle Factory
10) Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring?

"Death to Utopia! Death to faith! Death to love! Death to hope?" thunders the 20th century. "Surrender, you pathetic dreamer.”



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:41

Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die  CD album cover

This is their most progressive work, and also my favourite!!!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:49

For me also:

  • Paper sun
  • Glad
  •  Freedom rider
  • Pearly queen
  • Coloured rain

I'm in the office at the moment so i have limited capabilities of listening.

 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 10:54
Traffic belongs big time.  They were prog in that they composed songs completely outside the box and didn't bend to the trends.  They took their influences freely from jazz, rock and folk and combined them to create a unique repertoire of tunes that are still revered today.  I just happened to grab their "Far From Home" cd out of my wife's pile of cds yesterday and gave it a spin for the first time.  Boy, did this one fly under the radar!  It's not the Traffic of old (but then, who is?) yet I found myself following them into some interesting places.  I am already enjoying it more than Winwood's most recent "About Time" excursion that came off a little weak to me.  Anyway, just listen to 40k Headmen or Lowspark of Highheeled boys and you'll hear why they are most definitely right at home in the company of Genesis and Pink Floyd.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 13:57

I really love their music. My favourite albums - not very original, but there you have it : Traffic because of the magnificent sound and songs: no epics, but both Steve Winwood and Dave Mason were in peak form!

And: John Barleycorn Must Die. Their second masterpiece. Originally intended by Winwood as his first solo album, which was to be called Mad Shadows , and an album that many proggers would like. Very diverse, and really proggish...

I do like their first album, Mr. Fantasy, as well. Indeed a bit psychedelic, but like a box of English liquorice.

I think their later albums, The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory and When The Eagle Flies are not on a par with the early masterpieces, but all of those albums still have lots of good compositions on them. Even their "rest album", Last Exit, is enjoyable. From the live albums I like On The Road the most: it's their most dynamic.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 14:02
My Dad has a compilation of Traffic, they're great and definitely proto-prog.

But then I also think Keef Hartley Band should be here too!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 14:03
John Barleycorn Must Die is a really fantastic album.  I have a couple other of their albums (I don't even know which ones! ), but to me this was a standout.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 14:06

[But then I also think Keef Hartley Band should be here too!
[/QUOTE]

Man, I haven't run into many people who even know who they are!  I tried to find them on cd but even Amazon doesn't have a listing for them.  Some of us thought they were very cool in their day.

"Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:18
The Time Is Near and Overdog have been re-mastered Chicapah and Overdog has the single version of Roundabout.

Unfortunately I still cannot get Halfbreed on CD, I had to get it on vinyl, bloody good album!  But then they all are.

I had to get a Korean import of Battle of North West Six as well.

I also have a best of type thing, with some live stuff on as well, a good introduction to them, but it doesn't have their best tracks on it.

Still trying to get Dog Soldier, Seventy Second Brave and Little Big Band on CD.

I got my copies of The Time Is Near and Overdog from Amazon UK last year some time, they at least list them, so it maybe worth seeing if they have any, it may cost you a bit to import them to the States though.  But worth it I think!

Here you go: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/103-3036883-398 9463?search-alias=aps&keywords=Keef%20Hartley

Both available within 24 hours.


Edited by Geck0
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:28
I was in a band back in the early 70s and we played "Not Foolish, Not Wise" as an introductory song every gig.  Also performed "Believe in Me" (I think that's what it was titled).  Which album were those songs on?  Was that Halfbreed?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:31
"Believe In You" and "Not Foolish, Not Wise" are on Battle of North West Six.

A very difficult album to get hold of unfortunately.

Just in case you missed my link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/103-3036883-398 9463?search-alias=aps&keywords=Keef%20Hartley


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:54

Originally posted by Geck0 Geck0 wrote:

"Believe In You" and "Not Foolish, Not Wise" are on Battle of North West Six.

A very difficult album to get hold of unfortunately.

Just in case you missed my link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/103-3036883-398 9463?search-alias=aps&keywords=Keef%20Hartley

Encouraged by your notes I once again searched Amazon for Keef Hartley and lo and behold there they are!  So I stand corrected, sir.  Doesn't appear that Halfbreed is still available, tho.  I'll check out "Battle" and, if its not too pricey, spring for it.  Thanks again.  And for those here for the Traffic thread, back to our regularly scheduled programming. 

"Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 24 2006 at 17:20
Halfbreed has never been on CD (not officially I don't think) and my Battle of North West Six CD was a Korean import, but definitely get "The Time Is Near" and "Overdog", because they have an accompanying booklet, lyrics, a history of the band and photos and for $14 each (I think), that won't break the bank!  Oh yes and the music is great too!

Yes, back to Traffic, another great band!
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