Traffic
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Music Lounge
Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20732
Printed Date: August 05 2025 at 03:05
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Traffic
Posted By: pero
Subject: Traffic
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 07:48
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http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/ - 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...... http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/ - |
Replies:
Posted By: Prog-jester
Date 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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Posted By: Trotsky
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:08
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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! ------------- "Death to Utopia! Death to faith! Death to love! Death to hope?" thunders the 20th century. "Surrender, you pathetic dreamer.” "No" replies the unhumbled optimist "You are only the present." |
Posted By: pero
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:16
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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. |
Trotsky wrote:Posted By: Andrea Cortese
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:29
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They are also my favourite tracks! |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:31
| "The low spark..." is definetly prog and Traffic is prog IMO. |
Posted By: Dirk
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:39
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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  ) |
Posted By: Trotsky
Date 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.” "No" replies the unhumbled optimist "You are only the present." |
Posted By: ANDREW
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:41
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This is their most progressive work, and also my favourite!!! |
Posted By: pero
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 08:49
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For me also:
I'm in the office at the moment so i have limited capabilities of listening.
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 10:54
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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. ------------- "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 |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 13:57
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I really love their music. My favourite albums - not very original, but there you have it 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. |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 14:02
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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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Posted By: Padraic
Date 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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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 14:06
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[But then I also think Keef Hartley Band should be here too! 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 |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:18
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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/103-3036883-3989463?search-alias=aps&keywords=Keef%20Hartley - 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. -------------
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:28
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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? ------------- "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 |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:31
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"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/103-3036883-3989463?search-alias=aps&keywords=Keef%20Hartley - http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/103-3036883-398 9463?search-alias=aps&keywords=Keef%20Hartley -------------
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 15:54
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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 |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 17:20
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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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Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 17:24
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Halfbreed did come out on CD- I've seen a few Korean ones about on the 'Won Sin' label, which seem to be available at record fairs quite readily; the ones I've been to, anyway. Yet, I doubt these are official releases. Doesn't make sense to me that Eclectic would remaster their 3rd and 4th albums without doing the 1st and 2nd.... |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: March 25 2006 at 01:51
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I've just read on the back of my South Korean import of The Battle of North West Six that it's part of the "International Progressive Rock Rarities" selection! Yes Salmacis, not offically, as far as I am aware. I agree, Eclectic should have re-mastered Halfbreed and The Battle of North West Six first. Hopefully they will. It would be nice to see Overdog, Little Big Band and the other one I've forgotten the name, re-released officially as well. An excellent band such as Keef Hartley Band should be better represented I feel. -------------
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Posted By: grandoleopry
Date Posted: March 26 2006 at 02:09
I agree. Well said. This is a band that helped pioneer prog in my mind. ------------- Dreams. Gabor Szabo (1968) |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: March 27 2006 at 04:29
TLSOHHB and SOAFF were dynamite albums, you would be well advised to listen to those again, and if you like the live album OTR, you can only like those two studios. All three are deifinetely 4* or more the only thing that troubles me a bit is that there are two Muscle Shoals (this was a studio group that recorded mostly for solo artist that were without a backing band) musicians on SOAFF>> Hood and Hawkins even if they toured with the group (they are on the OTR album) they do a credible job, and and you can tell they have a very professional feel which does make-up a bit for the lack of enthusiasm on one or two tracks if they had been complete members of the group However I agree that WTEF is definitely weaker ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
