petak, 16.01.2009.
Traffic - Traffic (1968) (Remaster Edit 1999)
One of the finest albums the original quartet produced. Their second, self titled album captures the musical diversity that Traffic was capable of creating. When the trio fo Winwood-Capaldi-Woods began recording their second album Dave Mason decided to join them in the studio. The resulting tracks were so strong that the members decided to allow Mason to rejoin. Mason provides some of the second album's highlights with his single Feelin' Alright a magical 3 minute portrait of the band's best qualities. That isn't to slight Winwood. He also (in collaboration with Capaldi and Wood)wrote some of his finest material for their second album. The band sounds more cohesive (if that's possible) than on either Mr. Fantasy (the first UK album) or Heaven Is In Your Mind (the reconfigured Mr. Fantasy and their first US album).
The inclusion of bonus tracks is always welcome but the UK version of this album was a bit odd. While it's understandable that Island would want to include as much single and b side material as possible the inclusion of the band's first single on their second album was a bit jarring to say the least. Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush doesn't fit in with the band's second album. Supervising producer Bill Levenson has reconfigured the UK release to more accurately reflect the band's sound at this time. The sound quality is outstanding. Levenson's reissue doesn't sound quite as overprocessed as the UK release. The liner notes are informative without overdoing it. Although it isn't mentioned if this is a 24 bit remaster on the cover art the sound quality rivals that of the Uk release but still retains the organic sound of the original vinyl and source tapes. Traffic isn't the band's best album (John Barleycorn Must Die still stands as the band's definitive statement) but it is the best album recorded by the original quartet. Hopefully Island will remaster and reissue the rest of their catalog (particularly the fine late period albums Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and When The Eagle Flies. Here's hoping that Welcome To The Canteen is also remixed to improve the sound quality of the original live tapes)shortly. This great UK band is finally getting their due in the digital age...Dhar Jellinc
Lineup:
Steve Winwood - keyboards, vocals, guitar
Dave Mason - guitar, vocals
Jim Capaldi - drums, vocals
Chris Wood - flute, saxes
Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: ca. 135 MB
Genre : Psychedelic Rock
2000mustangs
Tracklist:
01. You Can All Join In 3:40
02. Pearly Queen 4:21
03. Don't Be Sad 3:25
04. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring 3:15
05. Feelin' Alright 4:20
06. Vagabond Virgin 5:22
07. Forty Thousand Headmen 3:14
08. Cryin' To Be Heard 5:12
09. No Time To Live 5:20
10. Means To An End 2:35
11 - Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush 2.45 (Bonus)
12 - Am I What I Was Or Am I What I Am 2.36 (Bonus)
13 - Withering Tree 2.57 (Bonus)
14 - Medicated Goo 3.40 (Bonus)
15 - Shanghai Noodle Factory 5.03 (Bonus)
