THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS

In 1971, the line-up of the band was expanded to include Reebop Kwaku Baah (congas, timbales, bongos) and Jim Gordon (drums). At that time, Jim Capaldi wanted to have a more prominent role in the band as lead and backing singer. So, maybe that was the main reason to have Gordon as drummer. Anyway, with Capaldi and Reebop the band had a more percussive sound, with both of them contributing very good things to the band. And in this album Capaldi sang lead vocals in two songs, a thing that only happened in this album while he was in the band.

This album is very well played, recorded and mixed. Maybe more than "John Barleycorn Must Die". Maybe they had more time to rehearse and to record this album in 1971, which was recorded after their "Welcome to the Canteen" live album wihich had Dave Mason as guest (he was guest in six dates that the band played during July 1971, but he left the band again after this happened). This new studio album was recorded in September 1971 and was released in November 1971. By December 1971, both Ric Grech and Jim Gordon have left the band.

In this album, the band again showed the influences from Jazz and Folk music.

"Hidden Treasure" (Winwood /Capaldi) is a slow acoustic song with good flute arrangements with Folk influences.

"The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" (Winwood /Capaldi) is a very good song with Jazz influences with good piano and organ solos by Steve Winwood and good sax solos by Chris Wood.

"Rock and Roll Stew" (Ric Grech / Jim Gordon) is a rocker with good guitars by Steve Winwood and sung by Capaldi. This song was played in concert by the band even after Grech and Gordon (the composers of this song) left the band.

"Many a Mile to Freedom" (Winwood / Anna Capaldi) is also a good slow song with very good arrangements.

"Light Up or Leave Me Alone" (Capaldi) is a very good Pop Rock song, sung by Capaldi. This song maybe was played better in concert, like the title song of this album. Having two songs to sing in this album maybe gave Capaldi more confidence to compose more songs alone and to record his first solo album titled "Oh How We Danced", which he recorded in December 1971 and was released in April 1972.

"Rainmaker" (Winwood / Capaldi) is mostly a Folk music influenced song with very good flute and sax arrangements by Wood. It shows how great was his influence as musician in TRAFFIC despite not writing songs for this album. It also has a very good final part with a very good violin solo played by Grech and some very good percussion arrangements by Capaldi and Reebop. Steve Winwood`s official website says that in this song the drums were played by Mike Kellie, member of SPOOKY TOOTH.

This album is very good. Also the cover design is very good and original. The same happened with the cover design of their next album, "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory", which was designed by the same person (Tony Wright).