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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Thirty years of rock radio have cast Traffic largely in the context of its later years as songwriter, singer, and keyboard player Steve Winwood's platform for jazz-inflected progressive rock, but their second, self-titled 1968 album reflects the equal weight of guitarist Dave Mason's voice, guitar, and songs. Together with drummer and third vocalist Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood's evocative sax and flute, this is Traffic at its most earthy, most concise, and arguably most coherent--even when the bulk of the songs are set as fevered dreams, surreal ballads, or outright nightmares. Winwood showcases like "Pearly Queen" and "Forty Thousand Headmen" are matched by Mason's classic "Feelin' Alright" and Beatle-browed "You Can All Join In", while the playing and arrangements are spirited and tight. --Sam Sutherland
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm reviewing the album rather than the sound, something which I can't say spoiled this reissue for me anyway. With four great musicians and two great songwriters at the height of their power, Traffic could hardly go wrong. Dave Mason continued to provide the more commercial material, such as the maypole folk of 'You Can All Join In' while Steve Winwood, in tandem with Jim Capaldi, was reputedly the more progressive partner. In truth, all of the songs are quite accessible. Winwood's songs tend to have more character, especially the quizzical 'Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring?' and the impassioned 'Cryin' To Be Heard'. Chris Wood's playing on 'No Time To Live' also makes for a wonderfully spooky recording. The album would be worth buying without the bonus material, though this is quite generous. The soundtrack hit, 'Mulberry Bush' is one of those instant songs that drives you round the bend when you've heard it a few times, but you can always skip that.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Wayne Klein
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
This is an example of how NOT to remaster a classic album. While it was remastered from the original mastertapes using 24 bit sampling, Sonic Solutions No Noise was applied liberally making this album sound like you're listening to it with towels thrown over your speakers. Traffic's second terrific album featured the original four piece line up in top form with Dave Mason contributing what would later be a huge hit for Joe Cocker "Feelin' Alright".
Pick up the American import instead. Bill Levenson and his able crew used the original mastertapes and elected NOT to overuse Sonic Solutions No Noise (which is probably the worst thing that has happened to music. It's great for cleaning up scratchy 78RPM records but not a modern recording). The American edition features the mono single mix of the singles for the album as well as the stereo single mix for "Withering Tree". The rest of the bonus tracks here (with the exception of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" and "Am I What I Was or Am I What I Am" which can be found on the U.S. "Heaven Is In Your Mind" & "Mr Fantasy" again both preferred to the UK versions)can be found on the album "Last Exit" which gathered the band's singles and combined them with a couple of covers recorded live in concert.
There are some terrific bonus tracks included all from singles or the soundtrack from "Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush" (a film I've never seen). All certainly add value to the package but the sound is so mushy and soft buried as it is within the No Noise (which sucks the life out of recordings by eliminating tape hiss but, in the process, eliminating the sound of the room, the dynamics, etc.
Pick up the American import instead. Bill Levenson and his able crew used the original mastertapes and elected NOT to overuse Sonic Solutions No Noise (which is probably the worst thing that has happened to music. It's great for cleaning up scratchy 78RPM records but not a modern recording). The American edition features the mono single mix of the singles for the album as well as the stereo single mix for "Withering Tree". The rest of the bonus tracks here (with the exception of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" and "Am I What I Was or Am I What I Am" which can be found on the U.S. "Heaven Is In Your Mind" & "Mr Fantasy" again both preferred to the UK versions)can be found on the album "Last Exit" which gathered the band's singles and combined them with a couple of covers recorded live in concert.
There are some terrific bonus tracks included all from singles or the soundtrack from "Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush" (a film I've never seen). All certainly add value to the package but the sound is so mushy and soft buried as it is within the No Noise (which sucks the life out of recordings by eliminating tape hiss but, in the process, eliminating the sound of the room, the dynamics, etc.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. C. Todd
Format:Audio CD
Good variety of musical styles here and bonus tracks to boot (including the excellent "Medicated Goo"). If like me you love Blues, Soul of the Atlantic and Stax varieties, Hendrix and mid to late period Beatles, you aren't going to go wrong here, those are the kind of feels that you get for your money. Sound quality is fantastic on this reissue and the liner notes are really informative on the history of the band. As good as anything ever released by Cream or Clapton and much better than the Blind Faith album.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Traffic
Brilliant
Loved their music when 1st out
Have all their LP's
Now buying their CD's
Highly recommended to any 60's / 70's blue fan
Loved their music when 1st out
Have all their LP's
Now buying their CD's
Highly recommended to any 60's / 70's blue fan
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Peter J. Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Guten tag!
I am alvays finding myself tapping zer feet and humming loudly to zis vairy interesting band von der Englisher Midlandz.
Published 3 months ago by Adolf
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Early Traffic
A trip from the 60's - flower power and psychedelia - ah those were the days. And Stevie Winwood's great voice and virtuoso playing of almost everything. Read more
Published on 9 April 2011 by Mr. Terry Richardson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tasty debut
Really nice opening album from the talented Traffic, with evidence of all of the their bluesy, folksy, mind-expanding style already in presence. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2009 by A. Korycki
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Welcome re-addition to my collection
I had this album years ago when it first came out but had almost forgotten about it. Found an old cassette of it recently so added it to my Christmas list and am certainly glad I... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by GeoffH13
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cryin' to be heard
Whatever the benefits of the USA mastered version (I'll now have to secure a copy!), this is probably my favourite Traffic album. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2008 by wherebutforcaravan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Post-psychedelic artistic gem
After the 'acid' whimsey of Traffic's debut album, Mr Fantasy, Traffic, the second offering, begins to offer insight into the dysfunctional artistic powerhouse that was Traffic. Read more
Published on 31 July 2002 by Mr. Frazer Chapman
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