Search - Traffic :: John Barleycorn Must Die

A Traffic Gem

Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 06/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Times had changed by 1970 ... Dave Mason was off to a full solo career, Chris Wood had joined Ginger Baker's Airforce, and Capaldi was not so sure what he wanted to do, but had not yet decided to quit the drums and be a singer.
This is how this album begins, with only Stevie Winwood in the studio, having already penned a couple of songs -"Every Mothers Son" and, only included in this remastered version, "Sittin' Here Thinkin' of My Love"- and ready to record a solo album.
Anyway, that was the plan but was not what ended up happening. Instead, whatever the real reason was -several stories are told- soon enough Capaldi and Steve's brother, Chris Wood, joined him and this became Traffic third studio album.
Although Mason was gone -his contribution to Traffic's original sound and the two gems they recorded together can never be acknowledged enough- Winwood had enough music, feeling and ideas to carry the load and make "Barleycorn ..." a classic in its own right.
It can be said that although this is very much a Traffic album, it is more heavily dominated by Winwood's musical vision and playing than its predecessors.
There are two strong musical courses, running through Winwood's veins, coming naturally to a crossroads here, the ever-present Jazz/R&B that Winwood had been feeding off since the Spencer Davis Group's days, and his connection to the English Folk tradition.
Actually, when you think that it was recorded over thirty years ago, it is even a more astounding example of how "ahead-of -its-times" Traffic was and, even more conclusively, what a tremendous composer Winwood had already become at 22.
Traffic, as a whole, and this album in particular are, to this day, one of the beacons of popular music that has ever been recorded, even today."

Amazing what three legends pulled off in one small band

Robert S. Reo | Neptune, New Jersey United States | 10/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Traffic made its debut around 1967 in the U.K. with the album "Heaven is in your Mind" which was later released in the U.S. as "Dear Mr. Fantasy". The band consisted of Steve Winwood (of Spencer Davis Group fame), Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason. Their second album titled "Traffic" followed shortly after. "John Barleycorn Must Die" was scheduled, apparently to be a solo album by Steve. Traffic members, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood joined him on John Barleycorn and subsequently went on tour. The title track, John Barleycorn is a traditional English Folk Song richly presented with superb vocal harmonies from Steve and Jim; beautiful acoustic guitar work by Steve, and exquisitely crafted flute accompaniments by Chris Wood. Steve's keyboard work; Chris' sax and flute; and Jim's percussion are tight on Glad; Freedom Rider and Empty Pages. I especially like Steve's electric piano work on Empty Pages. Both "Stranger to Himself" and "Every Mother's Son" strike a deep but meaningful introspective chord in me. I had the good fortune of seeing Steve, Chris and Jim during this tour in the summer of 1970 at the Fillmore East midnight show. It was one of the most memorable concerts I had the good fortune to attend. Whether in the studio or live, these three legendary musicians are totally in sinc with one another and together they produced a rich album with jazz, blues, and folk influences. For me, John Barleycorn Must Die stands out among the several incarnations of Traffic's music."

Worth the re-release

James J. Jenkins | Weare, NH United States | 09/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review is for that hard-corps Traffic fan who doesn't know whether two additional songs is worth buying the album again. I debated, having owned "John Barleycorn" for so long and finding it hard to picture new songs entering arguably their best album. However, how could anyone settle for an incomplete collection?! "I Just Want you to Know" elaborates on the theme from Empty Pages, and breaks down into a really groovy jam with harmonizing vocals. "Sittin' Here" is a bit indulgent of Winwood's softer side, but adds a new finish to the album that is refreshing. Of course, it makes it wonder whether there were just these two songs worthy of being added, or are they dragging out this remastered phase."