Traffic - Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
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Music CD Cover
Artist: TrafficEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2002-03-19
Music Label: Island
Soundtracks:
- Hidden Treasure
- The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys
- Light Up Or Leave Me Alone
- Rock & Roll Stew
- Many A Mile To Freedom
- Rainmaker
- Bonus Track - Rock & Roll Stew (Single Version)
Free Music Notes for Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Free Music Review: And I'm gone, gone, gone
Hit: 5 Stars
Traffic was another one of those late 60's/early 70's progressive rock artists. That might not seem like a big deal when plenty of other prog-rock artists were around during that time doing groundbreaking things, but Traffic had a certain charm to them that made it difficult to hate their music. They were very listenable and almost designed to appeal to anyone, even people who hated that big bombastic rock sound of many of the popular progressive rock bands of the day. If you're the type of person that preferred rock and roll to be simple and straight to the point, I think there's a better chance of Traffic appealing to you than artists like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. But it's not like the entire Low Spark album is filled with lengthy multi-part pieces. This album seems to be another experiment in the fairly short and interesting life of Traffic (but not as short as Blind Faith!)
Traffic had a sound that anyone who enjoys rock and roll can like. In that respect they're similar to REM (even though the two aren't really the same). Traffic didn't bring anything new to the table (or if they did, I don't notice) but they DID bring a pleasant sound and enjoyable musical ideas to the world of rock. As I mention above, they weren't that popular back in the day. I'd say they were popular enough to release some big hits, but they were never big enough to catch on with the majority of rock fans (at least, American fans). They had a few hits (some of which are featured on this album) but I'd be willing to bet most of the people familiar with those hits wouldn't be able to tell you who sings them. They might be able to identify Steve Winwood's voice, sure, but probably not the name of the band.
What people don't know is just how consistent ANY Traffic album is. Song after song will bring a smile to your face, not just this album but pretty much everything they did. They're proof that music back in the 70's can still be great without having to do anything outrageously different.
On first listen Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys can be boring, I won't lie. You have to be able to appreciate the softer and jammier side of rock, instead of going in expecting instantly noticeable, loud melodies. This is music that might take some getting used to. You see, even though the music is easy on the ears, it just doesn't want to scream "LIKE ME NOW". It requires time and patience (or maybe it's just not meant for children and teenagers). But I think eventually everyone will come around to like it.
What I like most about the album is the bands decision to dominate the album with flutes, electric guitar jams, and soulful vocal melodies. The flutes truly have a heavenly sound here. Throughout the album they're played so softly and quietly it's like you're living out in the wilderness (especially on the opener "hidden treasure"). The guitar playing is focused more on melodic jams, like what Eric Clapton and Camel were doing, though the guitar is never overexposed. Simply put, it's hard to hate the guitar playing. Whether it's in the sound or the notes, it's always so darn good! It's amazing how everything feels so right, and even more amazing, how this or any other Traffic album hasn't become one of those long-lost favorites over time. If you ask me, Traffic should be a band that people should hear and think to themselves "man, where has this band BEEN all my life?"
The title track is memorable for that one piano line occasionally popping up throughout the song. It's a good song, and you may even hear it on the radio once in a while (then again, maybe not anymore). The vocals also have a nice sound. 11 minutes may be testing your patience, but remember: it's impossible for Traffic to make something annoying. The word "annoying" should never come into your head when you hear Traffic's music. Ever.
"Rock and roll stew" is a typical bluesy rocker with really good guitar jamming. In fact, the guitar jamming MAKES the song while the vocals pass by harmlessly. "Many a mile to freedom" shows us why we love Steve Winwood's voice so much. His voice really has the ability to make you absorb and enjoy the soulful sound of it. "Light up or leave me alone" sounds EXACTLY like something Eric Clapton would do (think "after midnight" or "I can't stand it"). It wouldn't surprise me if Clapton appeared on the track and we just don't know about it. Finally the final track (yes, the album only has six songs, though three of them are pretty lengthy) is a weird one. It's a weird way to finish off the album because the vocal style isn't at all like the previous five songs. The way the singer goes "rain-mak-er rain-mak-eeeeeeeer, rain-mak-er rain-mak-errrrrrrrr" isn't something everyone will like. It's almost like some kind of Native American tribal chant. Interesting. As you may have guessed, I love it! The second half of the song has more of that wonderful flute playing that made "hidden treasure" so delightful. That sure is one fine way to play the flute!
You really should pick up Low Spark.
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Poster
Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007.Despite not even charting in the band's native England, this album became a platinum-selling American hit on the basis of three enduring FM radio staples--the expansive, jazzy impressionism of the near-12 minute title track, and the more straightforward funk of the R&B charmers "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" and "Rock & Roll Stew." Those disparate tracks perfectly underscore Traffic's rich musical appeal and its restless, sometimes problematic creative and interpersonal relationships. With now thrice-departed Dave Mason out of the mix and percussionists Jim Gordon and Reebop Kwaku Baah participating in the studio for the first time, the band's innate musicality truly takes wing. Winwood's familiar vocal phrasings nearly take a backseat to his fluid, dramatic guitar work on "Rock & Roll Stew Roll" and "Many a Mile to Freedom," while the Tull-ish, folk-madrigal sensibilities of "Hidden Treasure" and "Rainmaker" are further punctuated by Chris Wood's deft flute and woodwind flourishes. Compared with the more organic John Barleycorn album, the contrast is all the more remarkable. While many contemporary bands were experimenting with various attempts at fusion, few achieved this collection's rock-jazz-folk-R&B range or level of often subtle sophistication. Digitally remastered, this edition also contains the six-minute-plus U.S. single version of "Rock & Roll Stew, Parts 1 & 2" as a bonus track. --Jerry McCulley
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