Traffic - The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys [Remaster]

Artist:

Traffic

See Also:

Who (The) Winwood, Steve Mason, Dave Capaldi, Jim Kinks (The)

Description:

Originally released on Island (9180).
Traffic: Steve Winwood (vocals, guitar, piano, organ); Jim Capaldi (vocals, percussion); Rick Grech (violin, bass instrument); Chris Wood (flute, saxophone); Jim Gordon (drums); Rebop Kwaku Baah (percussion).
Recording information: Island Studios, London, England (09/1971).
THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS was a big change from the quiet, largely acoustic flavor of Traffic`s reunion album JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE. Although the gentle opening track, "Hidden Treasure," and the meandering, mellow closer, "Rainmaker," were in keeping with the pastoral vibe of the previous record, sandwiched in between those are several increasingly aggressive and lyrically sour songs about that evergreen topic--life in a rock & roll band.
The venality of the business gets a workout in the 12-minute title track, a slow-building jazz-rock groove that starts with a sense of quiet menace and ends with a pealing, distorted guitar solo, with one of Steve Winwood`s most impassioned and lengthy organ solos at the song`s heart. "Rock & Roll Stew" and Jim Capaldi`s sneering putdown "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" are even more forceful, with only the groovy ecological message of "Many a Mile to Freedom" lightening the mood. Even that song rocks harder than anything on JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE, though, and that extra hint of power is likely what helped make THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS Traffic`s most commercially successful album in the United States.

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Hidden Treasure
2. Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, The
3. Light up or Leave Me Alone
4. Rock & Roll Stew
5. Many a Mile to Freedom
6. Rainmaker
7. Rock & Roll Stew Parts 1 & 2 - (single version, bonus track)

Album Information

Release Date:

03/19/2002

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Rock & Pop

Subgenre:

Psychedelic

Label:

Island Records (USA)

Producer:

Steve Winwood

Catalog Number:

548 827

Original Release Year:

1971

# of Discs:

1

SPARS Coding:

AAD

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Portions copyright 2005 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.