I went to see Rod Stewart in concert about 5 years ago in Boston, and unknown to anyone in the crowd, he had a warm up act. No fanfare, no advance warning. Suddenly walks out Steve Winwood....one of rock's elite, all-time greats. He proceeds to do a 1 hour+ set, hitting many of the highlights from throughout his career, and he was fabulous, as always. As far as I'm concerned, that alone was worth the price of admission. A true musical giant.
Session player Jim Gordon plays drums on this track. Jim Capaldi is credited with playing additional percussion. By this time, Capaldi was out in front of the band singing while on stage. I suspect the handclaps are Capaldi. However, I agree he was a great drummer during his time with Traffic. I'm not sure about the circumstances around him stopping drumming and choosing to sing with the band. He co-wrote the song with Winwood.
Any jazz lover should be able to really appreciate Traffic. Steve Winwood is an incredible musician. Songwriting, singing, playing guitar and keyboards all at the highest level. Traffic is actually my favorite of the groups he was in, And that says a lot... Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, Traffic, Go and solo he has been responsible for an incredible catalog of music!
I lived through the 70's ...I don't think there was a bad Sax player in ANY band...So many tasty solos from so many bands...My favorite is Dick Parry ( pink floyd, wish you were here)...Clarence Clements had some KILLER tasty solos too...
One of the great album tracks ever. About the band's frustration with the music industry and easily one of the coolest songs of all time. Such an amazing arrangement.
Besides being a musical masterpiece, it is a production masterpiece; when you mic a drum set so you hear the air inside the drums, that's how it's supposed to be done. The mix is impeccable. It was especially great back in the day with a headfull.
Man you most definitely have to hear Steve Winwood 15 years old singing Nobody knows you when your down and out. You'll swear it's Ray Charles singing. You won't be disappointed!!
It's definitely more jazz than rock, and truly a masterpiece. The original album cover was not square, those corners were cut off to add to the 3D illusion.
This song is about how the record companies were ripping off the music industry's talented artists and Bands in contract negotiations. Winwood said they barely made any money in the beginning, until they all got better representation.
You might make note for Wilburn that at the time the fad was high heeled shoes for men and that’s the story behind the sparks of high heeled boys making sparks about and against the management.
Yay. Awesome tune. Had this album back in the 70's, lost all our albums over the years. Just decided to start a vinyl collection again and Traffic low Spark of high heeled boys is the first album we bought.
Traffic was one of the coolest bands to ever record music! This song in particular exemplifies their pedigree as musicians, writers and arrangers. They were quite a swirling brew of diverse influences, genres and sounds. Steve Winwood's stunning vocals, keyboards and guitar combined with Chris Wood's magical horn and flute playing combined with Jim Capaldi's lyrics and percussion cooked up quite a stew. I always thought they had a kind of mystical sound. Case in point this song begins very softly and gains volume as if it is springing forth from some unknown mysterious shrouded dream like place deep within us into consciousness. I believe much credit was due to Chris Wood for creating those ever so subtle sounds as he wove in and out of the music with just the right touch that gives it an ethereal almost other worldly sound. He never overplayed but always added so much. Of interest to fans. Listen to another version of this song from Capaldi's solo album Fierce Heart ua-cam.com/video/XayyUXZZIw8/v-deo.html. It is a revelation to hear how he heard the song he co wrote and is really beautiful. RIP Chris and Jim.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I went to a Steve Winwood concert at the Universal Amphitheatre many years ago. The show was late in starting and I (a well as everyone else) was becoming impatient. Then from a dark stage came this famous piano intro and the crowd exploded. Good times, great memories!
While I'm not a hardcore Traffic fan, this song is indeed a masterpiece, and one of my favorite songs of all time. I'm so glad you got to hear this and react to it. Not a lot of reactors get to this one. So glad you enjoyed this one, Chod. John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic is another masterpiece.
This is what we put on after coming home at night as a teen,headphones,candles and incense,and maybe more to chill out. Great memories. Man I still had a time I had to be home then. Crazy,as i am a gma now.
This song is an absolute masterpiece. I have followed Steve Winwood's career for decades and have never been let down. From his affiliation with groups such as Spencer Davis, Traffice and Blind Faith to his solo career he has always shown innovation and the will to go above and beyond the "norm". Take this song for example.... not a lot of musicians would release a song of over ELEVEN MINUTES. This song is a JEWEL. We are lucky to have someone like Steve Winwood willing and certainly able to give us masterpieces such as this.......
Oh my Chod, your subscribers predicted the feeling you would get from this song just like we did. hearing it many years ago. Steve Winwood proved how timeless his music is and that of all of Traffic - still amazing listeners for DECADES. Thanks for being so good to my ears.
released 1971. This vinyl is in my collection. Steve Winwood was/is a musical prodigy. On this song he was lead vocal, guitar, piano and organ. In 1980 he made his second solo album, "Arc of a Diver". It truly is a solo album. He plays every instrument... there are no other musicians. You might want to sample something from that... maybe "Night Train", great groove.
Yes, yes, yes! Arc of a Diver is musical genius from the very first chord. Night Train is the ultimate jam for driving. For the last year I’ve requested Night Train to a handful of UA-camr’s and still none have given it a reaction. I remember listening to this entire album on cassette version alone in my car driving to and from work on the midnight shift. I must have listened to this album exclusively for 3 months. I’m lucky that I saw Steve Winwood in concert 3 times. I’d see him 300 more times if it were possible. What a master of the craft. He’s The Man!
This is my favorite Traffic tune. Great tune! Jazz/Rock fusion they were on of the best! 😎👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 My interpretation of this tune is: it is an anthem of the British Invasion, hence the low spark of high heeled boys. The Beatles would wear a riding boot with riding heels that are higher heels, like our western cowboy boots.just my humble opinion! Your Dad will dig this! Oh man...Take Five🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This song was one of my favourites back in the day. Such an amazing interplay of piano, sax, brass and percussion, with that hypnotic bass line holding it all together. Perfection! And the lyrics are amazing as well. If you dont pay attention to the message, youre missing a lot. It is always fun to see young people discovering the music that I grew up with. Great selection! If you see something that looks like a star And it's shooting up out of the ground And your head is spinning from a loud guitar And you just can't escape from the sound Don't worry too much, it'll happen to you We were children once, playing with toys And the thing that you're hearing is only the sound of The low spark of high-heeled boys The percentage you're paying is too high priced While you're living beyond all your means And the man in the suit has just bought a new car From the profit he's made on your dreams But today you just read that the man was shot dead By a gun that didn't make any noise But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest Was the low spark of high-heeled boys If you had just a minute to breathe And they granted you one final wish Would you ask for something like another chance? Or something similar as this? Don't worry too much it'll happen to you As sure as your sorrows are joys And the thing that disturbs you is only the sound of The low spark of high-heeled boys The percentage you're paying is too high priced While you're living beyond all your means And the man in the suit has just bought a new car From the profit he's made on your dreams But today you just read that the man was shot dead By a gun that didn't make any noise But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest Was the low spark of high-heeled boys
Ive seen most of the bands you react to in concert but the best concert i ever saw was dave brubek when he was in his 90s his entire band was really old and they sounded amazing
When I was 14 (in 1967), my Dad took me to see The Dave Brubeck Quartet in concert at our local Community College auditorium. He had already introduced me to Brubeck and many other Jazz artists, and he had seen how much I loved the music. Anyway, it was my very first concert, and WOW, what an amazing first concert it was! Joe Morello was the drummer, and he did a drum solo that just blew my mind (as well as everyone in the audience)!!! Anyway, back to Traffic! This song is a JAM! I agree, it would make a great "morning song", or a great "laying by the pool" song, or just about any occasion, including driving on a lonely highway! Every song on this album is SO good, and each song is so different! Nice reaction!
I agree with the Brubeck vibe. It's in the percussion where I'm feeling it. Oddly enough, I hear that same Brubeck vibe in Blind Faith's "Do What You Like" only more strong and pronounced. The culprit must be Steve as he is the connection between Traffic and BF. Perhaps Ric Grech too, as he plays bass on the Low Spark album.
I'm really glad you reacted to this. It is one that not a lot of reactors get to, likely because of length, even though it is their best song. (My opinion, obviously.) That being said, everything on this album is really worth listening to at least once - I think it was their only album to go platinum - and was a top 10 album in the US. Their other albums have some great stuff on them as well.
Oh, The John Barleycorn album was so smooth and mellow. We used to come down from an LSD trip, smoking a doobie and listening to this on the quad-system. I would lie there on my water-bed and just merge with the black-lighted posters on my bedroom ceiling. Brings back wonderful memories!
Your daughter has good musical taste! If this song lasted an hour, I would still love it. Steve Winwood and Traffic are so awesome. Another great album is When The Eagle Flies; please check out Dream Gerrard, Walking In The Wind and Memories Of A Rock N Rolla. (I love Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, too).
Brubeck toured the middle east as part of a US goodwill show, where he heard several nonstandard time signatures which he incorperated in his music, such as Unsquare Dance and Take Five. When he did this, he changed Jazz forever. After that, odd time signatures became normal, as well as swift time changes. Brubeck was probably an infuence on both Winwood and Capaldi.
Steve Winwood is iconic, this was released 1971. Think if I recall right he just did vocals and piano and maybe sax on this song, at least live he did. He is mainly known for vocals and keyboard (he can really tear it up on the organ), but also plays drums, mandolin, guitars, bass, and saxophone. SW dominated as a solo artist in the 80's with songs like Higher Love ( Chaka Kahn singing back up), Roll with it, the Finer things, back in the high life, etc. Loved the Album "Arc of a Diver". Some of the Songs I remember from his time in the Spencer Davis Group are: "Gimmie some lovin" and "I'm a man".
appreciate your appreciation for music! Our area didn't have a FM station that played Rock when this song was released. But we did have AM. As we were all arriving for English class someone had a radio, and high-heeled boys started playing. We were all hearing it for the first time on the radio in our area. Just as the bell rang the student shut his radio off. The English teacher immediately yelled excitedly to turn it back on. We all sat there listening to the song in it's entirety. Those were the days.
I recommend the group Dreams from1970. The album is call Dreams and the song is called Dream Suite (should be about 10 minutes). Kinda obscure but if you like jazz funk rock fusion it's definitely something you should check out.
You might want to listen to 'Do What You Like' by Blind Faith. I graduated in 1970 so I grew up with Traffic, Spencer Davis, Stevie Winwood solo and all of the other great music of that era. My friends used to get high and listen to bands; I never understood that. The MUSIC made me high! 'Do What You Like' isn't as good as Low Spark but it's a fun one to listen to.....and it has a long organ solo. 😉
Back in the day all the "Heads" played this tune at the party..............ONE OF THE BEST JAMS ON PLANET EARTH! Have seen SW 2X live.........anxiously awaiting the third time! Very nice reaction/comments.
so glad you tackled this great song from the 1970s. great music without a 3;30 time minute limit. The drummer is Roger Hawkins from Muscle Shoals and was a studio drummer when Steve Winwood asked him to tour with the band. He is an American drummer best known for playing as part of the studio backing band known as the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (also known as the Swampers) of Alabama. He played with Rolling Stones, Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Bob Seger. Amanazing drummer.
Steve Winwood, another musician that when you hear the music, you’re giving up your day job, everything , because you want play music like that ✌️👍😎and you won’t stop till you can. Then the dogs bark and you snap out of it! I’m no Steve Winwood !
Jim Gordon on drums. One of the greatest. Played on many legendary tunes. Tragically locked up for the criminally insane. Also drummer for Derek and the Dominoes.
Always go back to the music that first brought the greats to national attention--THAT'S the way to do it, bro! I'm glad to see you go back into S. Winwood's catalogue for his greatest material. You'll love ALL Traffic and especially the album "John Barleycorn Must Die" particularly: Glad & Freedom Riders. Also, his ORIGINAL hit with The Spencer Davis Group, "Gimme Some Lovin'" when he was a 19 year-old blue-eyed soul singing prodigy. Stevie's been great a long, long time. Thanks!
Chod, of all the music reactors all over the internet you are the one that I was most certain would absolutely love this song! This song seems to me to be much like jazz, and I am sure it made you think of sitting back at the Hot Jazz Club listening to the House Band jamming out! The expression on your face said it all! I know you appreciate Talking Heads as well, but you still have not checked out "Psycho Killer" from the Start Making Sense film soundtrack. You will love it!
My sincerest thanks for recognizing this song. I’ve kept it in my playlist since day one from vinyl to 8 track to cassette right up to this day. As you described, it is a masterpiece, albeit too long for play on mainstream (to everyone’s loss), but richer than the vast majority of what is being designated today as mainstream worthy. Like you, I’m a musician as well (40 years/guitar), and the importance of stepping off the beaten path to seek music like this cannot be over stated. A totally hip review!👍 Suggestion? Traffic album “John Barleycorn Must Die” the first cut entitled “Glad” Blind Faith album “Blind Faith” the first cut entitled “Can’t Find My Way Back Home” Murray Head Album “Say It Ain’t So” the first cut with same name as the album. Note: what a voice!
Growing up in the 70s and 80s my dad had this album in his collection. Thanks to my pops I was introduced to some pretty cool music. My mom had some decent albums too - but her tastes were like Carol King, and James Taylor. My dad loved jazz and blues though and I thank God for that influence. Bands like Traffic, Stevie Winwood, Steely Dan (his favorite), and even J.Geils Band were introduced to me at a very young age. I think my eclectic taste is music was because of his influence - he had a rich collection of albums.
ABSOLUTELY. My opinion their best. Starts out like your at an American Indian rain ritual THEN morphs into a jazzy blend that you would hear on Bleeker St in Greenwich Village years ago. Incredible. Love Low Spark also. The whole album
I actually covered this song as a bass player a while back and the guitar player in our band had an electric violin he used for some of the keyboard parts which worked out soooooo well.
Dude every single song on this album is amazing. it is definitely worth buying the LP for especially if you have a turntable. Also the follow-up album Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory is also stellar and worth buying the LP.
And you did it again; playing one of my favourite trax. I grooved along to this many many times back in the day; I also tripped to it which I remember was amazing. The album is also fantastic. Knew you would love this with your jazz background. Please do some more Warren Zevon; his main instrument was piano, did you know? I left you a list on your reaction but did not hear from you (sad face). Please give me one of your hearts? I am in lockdown now for over a year and it's music that's keeping me sane, as it always has. That's a track you should check out from the 70s by John Miles called simply "Music" you will LOVE it, I guarantee it. If you don't I will eat my hat. Love and peace from East Coast of England. x p.s I am no. 289!
There's a reason you really like the drum tones and work here, it's the great (although completely crazy) Jim Gordon! Research him a little, he played with everybody from George Harrison, The Beach Boys, Byrds, Delaney and Bonnie, and Derek and The Dominos. He was a revered studio musician, a hired gun for many making albums. You're in the good stuff now! I will admit to being transported to far away places by this album, and especially this song, in the past. Another band with great flute music, although you don't get it on this track, Chris Wood did fantastic flute and sax work throughout Traffic's excellent catalog! This is a band that deserves your full attention! The self titled album, Low Spark, along with "John Barleycorn Must Die" remain my favorites, but I love it all! Here's some great flute music for you........"40,000 Headmen" ua-cam.com/video/pDI5BWmITNs/v-deo.html
Cute story about your daughter liking Steely Dan. She will be a chip off the old block....I predict another musician in the family! Shall we say guitar or piano lessons in her future?
50 year old song still rocks 🤟🏽🎶🔥
I went to see Rod Stewart in concert about 5 years ago in Boston, and unknown to anyone in the crowd, he had a warm up act. No fanfare, no advance warning. Suddenly walks out Steve Winwood....one of rock's elite, all-time greats. He proceeds to do a 1 hour+ set, hitting many of the highlights from throughout his career, and he was fabulous, as always. As far as I'm concerned, that alone was worth the price of admission. A true musical giant.
For the win!
WOWWOWWOW
jerk 😊
That was wayyyy wayyyyy cool of Rod.. that's wayyyy cool!!
This is what happens when you let musicians be musicians without any limits.
Jammin, I grew up "woke" due to the messages in these songs. Stoned and woke. Always
@@deborahzoppa5060 me too!
Now we have corporate created plastic androids like Drake & Katy Perry spewing autotuned formula dreck while pimping for Nike.
@@andrewdavid5928 Thank you!
@@andrewdavid5928 - Pop has always been around.
What is too often overlooked with all the Traffic music is the incredible work of Jim Capaldi, from his songwriting to his drumming.
Agreed... He was outstanding..
Session player Jim Gordon plays drums on this track. Jim Capaldi is credited with playing additional percussion. By this time, Capaldi was out in front of the band singing while on stage. I suspect the handclaps are Capaldi. However, I agree he was a great drummer during his time with Traffic. I'm not sure about the circumstances around him stopping drumming and choosing to sing with the band. He co-wrote the song with Winwood.
Any jazz lover should be able to really appreciate Traffic. Steve Winwood is an incredible musician. Songwriting, singing, playing guitar and keyboards all at the highest level. Traffic is actually my favorite of the groups he was in, And that says a lot... Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, Traffic, Go and solo he has been responsible for an incredible catalog of music!
SupaSoul Productions mine also. Traffic is in my top five of all time great groups. 👍
Clapton with Winwood
seriously Traffic is phenomenal,love Spencer Davis Group & Blind Faith
I agree with you,there is one thing I would like to add, Steve Winwood is under rated.at least that's how I've believed.The man was phenomenal.
Chris Wood's sax work on this tune is just incredible. I'm a huge fan of Winwood, but man, the saxophone on this piece just scorches!
I lived through the 70's ...I don't think there was a bad Sax player in ANY band...So many tasty solos from so many bands...My favorite is Dick Parry ( pink floyd, wish you were here)...Clarence Clements had some KILLER tasty solos too...
@@godbluffvdgg Then there was Raphael Ravenscroft and Alto Reed❤
One of the great album tracks ever. About the band's frustration with the music industry and easily one of the coolest songs of all time. Such an amazing arrangement.
A CLASSIC!!!!!
This is an endless song, it doesn’t start or stop and even now it’s still playing.
"Glad" by Traffic-- shows off Chris Wood playing sax with a wah pedal... it's another masterpiece.
Gotta let Glad roll straight into Freedom Rider - it's criminal to break 'em apart!
That whole album is another this dude should explore. John Barleycorn Must Die is a masterpiece.
@@plantfeeder6677 agreed wholeheartedly.
That album is on my Desert Island List.
@@WRRHalum 100 percent agree!!!
@@WRRHalum FACTS
Jim Gordon's drumming and Rebop's percussion on this album are stellar.
Almost the entire output of this band is worth reacting to....
They were truly diverse, stylistically.
I loved how the smile never left your face.
Besides being a musical masterpiece, it is a production masterpiece; when you mic a drum set so you hear the air inside the drums, that's how it's supposed to be done. The mix is impeccable. It was especially great back in the day with a headfull.
This is a long song. But, I wish it was 3 times longer. It is just such a great groove. Thank you for reacting to this version.
Man you most definitely have to hear
Steve Winwood 15 years old singing Nobody knows you when your down and out. You'll swear it's Ray Charles singing. You won't be disappointed!!
He still looks 15 now! LOL!
It's definitely more jazz than rock, and truly a masterpiece. The original album cover was not square, those corners were cut off to add to the 3D illusion.
This song is about how the record companies were ripping off the music industry's talented artists and Bands in contract negotiations. Winwood said they barely made any money in the beginning, until they all got better representation.
You might make note for Wilburn that at the time the fad was high heeled shoes for men and that’s the story behind the sparks of high heeled boys making sparks about and against the management.
After more than 50 years, I still get goosebumps and headrushes from this song. Great reaction on a fabulous masterpiece.
Yay. Awesome tune. Had this album back in the 70's, lost all our albums over the years. Just decided to start a vinyl collection again and Traffic low Spark of high heeled boys is the first album we bought.
Nothing like a little purity lady, this is just the start.
Still have that album to this day.
My first concert in 1972 Traffic, Lou Reed & Jo Jo Gunne....
One of the Top 30 Rock songs ever written! Genius!
Totally agree! Maybe even in my top 20!
The vocals, the fantastic drumming, sax, and keyboards were amazing!
Traffic was one of the coolest bands to ever record music! This song in particular exemplifies their pedigree as musicians, writers and arrangers. They were quite a swirling brew of diverse influences, genres and sounds. Steve Winwood's stunning vocals, keyboards and guitar combined with Chris Wood's magical horn and flute playing combined with Jim Capaldi's lyrics and percussion cooked up quite a stew. I always thought they had a kind of mystical sound. Case in point this song begins very softly and gains volume as if it is springing forth from some unknown mysterious shrouded dream like place deep within us into consciousness. I believe much credit was due to Chris Wood for creating those ever so subtle sounds as he wove in and out of the music with just the right touch that gives it an ethereal almost other worldly sound. He never overplayed but always added so much. Of interest to fans. Listen to another version of this song from Capaldi's solo album Fierce Heart ua-cam.com/video/XayyUXZZIw8/v-deo.html. It is a revelation to hear how he heard the song he co wrote and is really beautiful. RIP Chris and Jim.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I went to a Steve Winwood concert at the Universal Amphitheatre many years ago. The show was late in starting and I (a well as everyone else) was becoming impatient. Then from a dark stage came this famous piano intro and the crowd exploded. Good times, great memories!
While I'm not a hardcore Traffic fan, this song is indeed a masterpiece, and one of my favorite songs of all time. I'm so glad you got to hear this and react to it. Not a lot of reactors get to this one. So glad you enjoyed this one, Chod. John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic is another masterpiece.
Speaking of Steely Dan. You must react to "Deacon Blues". It's just loaded with Funk and Jazz.
I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut he's heard that one, with his jazz background. I hope he hasn't though.
I'm a prog head, but I've always loved this song.
I had this album in the 70's specifically for this song!
Steve Winwood's piano is amazing. So are his vocals.
The best ending note of a song ever!!!!
This is what we put on after coming home at night as a teen,headphones,candles and incense,and maybe more to chill out. Great memories. Man I still had a time I had to be home then. Crazy,as i am a gma now.
This song is an absolute masterpiece. I have followed Steve Winwood's career for decades and have never been let down. From his affiliation with groups such as Spencer Davis, Traffice and Blind Faith to his solo career he has always shown innovation and the will to go above and beyond the "norm". Take this song for example.... not a lot of musicians would release a song of over ELEVEN MINUTES. This song is a JEWEL. We are lucky to have someone like Steve Winwood willing and certainly able to give us masterpieces such as this.......
Oh my Chod, your subscribers predicted the feeling you would get from this song just like we did. hearing it many years ago. Steve Winwood proved how timeless his music is and that of all of Traffic - still amazing listeners for DECADES. Thanks for being so good to my ears.
One of the greatest progressive rock jazz fusion songs of the 1970s. I still remember where I was the first time it came on the radio.
released 1971. This vinyl is in my collection. Steve Winwood was/is a musical prodigy. On this song he was lead vocal, guitar, piano and organ. In 1980 he made his second solo album, "Arc of a Diver". It truly is a solo album. He plays every instrument... there are no other musicians. You might want to sample something from that... maybe "Night Train", great groove.
Yes, yes, yes! Arc of a Diver is musical genius from the very first chord. Night Train is the ultimate jam for driving. For the last year I’ve requested Night Train to a handful of UA-camr’s and still none have given it a reaction. I remember listening to this entire album on cassette version alone in my car driving to and from work on the midnight shift. I must have listened to this album exclusively for 3 months. I’m lucky that I saw Steve Winwood in concert 3 times. I’d see him 300 more times if it were possible. What a master of the craft. He’s The Man!
I am also a huge Dave Brubeck fan. I got to see him in concert in the mid 60's.
3 Guys.....Winwood,Wood,Capaldi.....they were so great in concert!!!!
Almost Steely Dan....but with Steve Winwood's style and grace added...90% jazz..this song ALWAYS soothes the soul....
This is my favorite Traffic tune. Great tune! Jazz/Rock fusion they were on of the best! 😎👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 My interpretation of this tune is: it is an anthem of the British Invasion, hence the low spark of high heeled boys. The Beatles would wear a riding boot with riding heels that are higher heels, like our western cowboy boots.just my humble opinion! Your Dad will dig this! Oh man...Take Five🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This song was one of my favourites back in the day. Such an amazing interplay of piano, sax, brass and percussion, with that hypnotic bass line holding it all together. Perfection!
And the lyrics are amazing as well. If you dont pay attention to the message, youre missing a lot.
It is always fun to see young people discovering the music that I grew up with. Great selection!
If you see something that looks like a star
And it's shooting up out of the ground
And your head is spinning from a loud guitar
And you just can't escape from the sound
Don't worry too much, it'll happen to you
We were children once, playing with toys
And the thing that you're hearing is only the sound of
The low spark of high-heeled boys
The percentage you're paying is too high priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
But today you just read that the man was shot dead
By a gun that didn't make any noise
But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest
Was the low spark of high-heeled boys
If you had just a minute to breathe
And they granted you one final wish
Would you ask for something like another chance?
Or something similar as this?
Don't worry too much it'll happen to you
As sure as your sorrows are joys
And the thing that disturbs you is only the sound of
The low spark of high-heeled boys
The percentage you're paying is too high priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
But today you just read that the man was shot dead
By a gun that didn't make any noise
But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest
Was the low spark of high-heeled boys
This might be one to show your keyboard playing Dad!
We want Dad!
@@brianjones8751 Oh hell, I'd LOVE to see him do a reaction with Dad!
This song gives me chills! One of my favorites.
Bravo on reacting to this rare track! I love the sound of the low spark of high heeled boys.
Traffic Forty Thousand Headmen next?
Yes, live version from Welcome to the canteen.
@@thomasklempin542 Yes!!
I dont think i ever enjoyed this song as much i just did on this listen Its the cleanest version i have heard yet thanks for sharing it
Love this song Empty Pages is another awesome song by Traffic.
Ive seen most of the bands you react to in concert but the best concert i ever saw was dave brubek when he was in his 90s his entire band was really old and they sounded amazing
I love watching people react to the music of my generation
When I was 14 (in 1967), my Dad took me to see The Dave Brubeck Quartet in concert at our local Community College auditorium. He had already introduced me to Brubeck and many other Jazz artists, and he had seen how much I loved the music. Anyway, it was my very first concert, and WOW, what an amazing first concert it was! Joe Morello was the drummer, and he did a drum solo that just blew my mind (as well as everyone in the audience)!!!
Anyway, back to Traffic! This song is a JAM! I agree, it would make a great "morning song", or a great "laying by the pool" song, or just about any occasion, including driving on a lonely highway! Every song on this album is SO good, and each song is so different!
Nice reaction!
Brilliant! I've never connected "Take Five" with this, but you're spot on. Similar riff. Both among my very favorites.
I agree with the Brubeck vibe. It's in the percussion where I'm feeling it. Oddly enough, I hear that same Brubeck vibe in Blind Faith's "Do What You Like" only more strong and pronounced. The culprit must be Steve as he is the connection between Traffic and BF. Perhaps Ric Grech too, as he plays bass on the Low Spark album.
I'm really glad you reacted to this. It is one that not a lot of reactors get to, likely because of length, even though it is their best song. (My opinion, obviously.) That being said, everything on this album is really worth listening to at least once - I think it was their only album to go platinum - and was a top 10 album in the US. Their other albums have some great stuff on them as well.
Oh, The John Barleycorn album was so smooth and mellow. We used to come down from an LSD trip, smoking a doobie and listening to this on the quad-system. I would lie there on my water-bed and just merge with the black-lighted posters on my bedroom ceiling. Brings back wonderful memories!
"shoot out at the Fantasy Factory" next
Yea! more Traffic! I think this is Traffic's masterpiece.
Bought the LP twice, the cassette once and the CD once. I know and love this music.
Another Traffic groove, two tunes, inseparable: Glad (into) Freedom Rider - from John Barleycorn Must Die (do the title cut, too)
Your daughter has good musical taste! If this song lasted an hour, I would still love it. Steve Winwood and Traffic are so awesome. Another great album is When The Eagle Flies; please check out Dream Gerrard, Walking In The Wind and Memories Of A Rock N Rolla. (I love Dave Brubeck’s Take Five, too).
Brubeck toured the middle east as part of a US goodwill show, where he heard several nonstandard time signatures which he incorperated in his music, such as Unsquare Dance and Take Five. When he did this, he changed Jazz forever. After that, odd time signatures became normal, as well as swift time changes. Brubeck was probably an infuence on both Winwood and Capaldi.
Steve Winwood is iconic, this was released 1971. Think if I recall right he just did vocals and piano and maybe sax on this song, at least live he did. He is mainly known for vocals and keyboard (he can really tear it up on the organ), but also plays drums, mandolin, guitars, bass, and saxophone. SW dominated as a solo artist in the 80's with songs like Higher Love ( Chaka Kahn singing back up), Roll with it, the Finer things, back in the high life, etc. Loved the Album "Arc of a Diver". Some of the Songs I remember from his time in the Spencer Davis Group are: "Gimmie some lovin" and "I'm a man".
Appreciation of Steely Dan is a Gr8 judgement of character!! Ur raising her right!!
Long rides indeed! We used to listen to this song on "long drives" from LA to Yosemite over 40yrs ago! lol It is perfect for "long drives". :)
TRAFFIC, "LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS"... IN MY PERSONAL TOP TEN... SO MANY INSTRUMENTS TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH... AS YOU SAID CHAD A MASTERPIECE
Steve Winwood is the Man!!!
In my top 20 all time favorite bands 👍👍
appreciate your appreciation for music!
Our area didn't have a FM station that played Rock when this song was released. But we did have AM.
As we were all arriving for English class someone had a radio, and high-heeled boys started playing. We were all hearing it for the first time on the radio in our area. Just as the bell rang the student shut his radio off. The English teacher immediately yelled excitedly to turn it back on. We all sat there listening to the song in it's entirety.
Those were the days.
As a jazz enthusiast I knew you would love this track...
Lord luvs ducks perfect timing. Such a wonderful song 45 years If I'm having a bad day at work. Come home a glass of wine and crank this!!!!!!!
I recommend the group Dreams from1970. The album is call Dreams and the song is called Dream Suite (should be about 10 minutes). Kinda obscure but if you like jazz funk rock fusion it's definitely something you should check out.
You might want to listen to 'Do What You Like' by Blind Faith. I graduated in 1970 so I grew up with Traffic, Spencer Davis, Stevie Winwood solo and all of the other great music of that era. My friends used to get high and listen to bands; I never understood that. The MUSIC made me high! 'Do What You Like' isn't as good as Low Spark but it's a fun one to listen to.....and it has a long organ solo. 😉
I just got done posting that I hear the Brubeck vibe in Blind Faith's Do What You Like as well. Love Brubeck and BF and Traffic.
I never noticed the Brubeck/Blind Faith vibe but you're right. Good ear.😉@@brendamilloy2557
From their album John Barleycon Must Die, it's "Glad" an outstanding instrumental which melds into "Freedom Rider." That's how you have to listen.
Back in the day all the "Heads" played this tune at the party..............ONE OF THE BEST JAMS ON PLANET EARTH! Have seen SW 2X live.........anxiously awaiting the third time! Very nice reaction/comments.
so glad you tackled this great song from the 1970s. great music without a 3;30 time minute limit. The drummer is Roger Hawkins from Muscle Shoals and was a studio drummer when Steve Winwood asked him to tour with the band. He is an American drummer best known for playing as part of the studio backing band known as the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (also known as the Swampers) of Alabama. He played with Rolling Stones, Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Bob Seger. Amanazing drummer.
Steve Winwood, another musician that when you hear the music, you’re giving up your day job, everything , because you want play music like that ✌️👍😎and you won’t stop till you can. Then the dogs bark and you snap out of it! I’m no Steve Winwood !
Jim Gordon on drums. One of the greatest. Played on many legendary tunes. Tragically locked up for the criminally insane. Also drummer for Derek and the Dominoes.
Always assumed this was capaldi on drums- great stuff by gordon.
R.I.P. Jim Gordon. Such an amazing talent; such a tragic figure.
This was mainstream FM listening in the early 70's. Amazing stuff!
Always go back to the music that first brought the greats to national attention--THAT'S the way to do it, bro! I'm glad to see you go back into S. Winwood's catalogue for his greatest material. You'll love ALL Traffic and especially the album "John Barleycorn Must Die" particularly:
Glad & Freedom Riders.
Also, his ORIGINAL hit with The Spencer Davis Group, "Gimme Some Lovin'" when he was a 19 year-old blue-eyed soul singing prodigy. Stevie's been great a long, long time. Thanks!
Love winwoods cross road's live he does it all 🎸🎶
This is just a cool funky song
Chod, of all the music reactors all over the internet you are the one that I was most certain would absolutely love this song! This song seems to me to be much like jazz, and I am sure it made you think of sitting back at the Hot Jazz Club listening to the House Band jamming out! The expression on your face said it all! I know you appreciate Talking Heads as well, but you still have not checked out "Psycho Killer" from the Start Making Sense film soundtrack. You will love it!
My sincerest thanks for recognizing this song. I’ve kept it in my playlist since day one from vinyl to 8 track to cassette right up to this day. As you described, it is a masterpiece, albeit too long for play on mainstream (to everyone’s loss), but richer than the vast majority of what is being designated today as mainstream worthy. Like you, I’m a musician as well (40 years/guitar), and the importance of stepping off the beaten path to seek music like this cannot be over stated.
A totally hip review!👍
Suggestion? Traffic album “John Barleycorn Must Die” the first cut entitled “Glad”
Blind Faith album “Blind Faith” the first cut entitled “Can’t Find My Way Back Home”
Murray Head Album “Say It Ain’t So” the first cut with same name as the album. Note: what a voice!
Traffic was my 1st concert ever..they're incredible 👍✌
I caught them on their "farewell tour" in '75 or whatever.. lucky I caught then at all!
Growing up in the 70s and 80s my dad had this album in his collection. Thanks to my pops I was introduced to some pretty cool music. My mom had some decent albums too - but her tastes were like Carol King, and James Taylor. My dad loved jazz and blues though and I thank God for that influence. Bands like Traffic, Stevie Winwood, Steely Dan (his favorite), and even J.Geils Band were introduced to me at a very young age. I think my eclectic taste is music was because of his influence - he had a rich collection of albums.
Love your reactions, especially when its to music I love., loved this album forever, never could get old, well I love everything Steve Winwood.
RAINMAKER BY TRAFFIC
ABSOLUTELY. My opinion their best. Starts out like your at an American Indian rain ritual THEN morphs into a jazzy blend that you would hear on Bleeker St in Greenwich Village years ago. Incredible. Love Low Spark also. The whole album
I actually covered this song as a bass player a while back and the guitar player in our band had an electric violin he used for some of the keyboard parts which worked out soooooo well.
I've always considered Steve Winwood to be the white man's Otis Redding. Otis is, and will always be, the king of soul.
You would also appreciate Loan Me A Dime by Boz Skaggs, the 1985 live video.
Legendary song, artist and great live performers!👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻
if you’re into it, this is a good song to smoke a doobie to, it was when it came out.
I still do
They get a pretty jazzy there in the middle, you got appreciate that bro.
Dude every single song on this album is amazing. it is definitely worth buying the LP for especially if you have a turntable. Also the follow-up album Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory is also stellar and worth buying the LP.
Damn I used to be stoned listening to this all those years ago.
Jim Gordon...one of the most recorded drummers ever...on fire here...
And you did it again; playing one of my favourite trax. I grooved along to this many many times back in the day; I also tripped to it which I remember was amazing. The album is also fantastic. Knew you would love this with your jazz background.
Please do some more Warren Zevon; his main instrument was piano, did you know? I left you a list on your reaction but did not hear from you (sad face). Please give me one of your hearts? I am in lockdown now for over a year and it's music that's keeping me sane, as it always has. That's a track you should check out from the 70s by John Miles called simply "Music" you will LOVE it, I guarantee it. If you don't I will eat my hat. Love and peace from East Coast of England. x
p.s I am no. 289!
One of the greatest songs from my days of youth.
Those same rum fills as they lead into the 2nd chorus cause me the same face!!
There's a reason you really like the drum tones and work here, it's the great (although completely crazy) Jim Gordon! Research him a little, he played with everybody from George Harrison, The Beach Boys, Byrds, Delaney and Bonnie, and Derek and The Dominos. He was a revered studio musician, a hired gun for many making albums. You're in the good stuff now! I will admit to being transported to far away places by this album, and especially this song, in the past. Another band with great flute music, although you don't get it on this track, Chris Wood did fantastic flute and sax work throughout Traffic's excellent catalog! This is a band that deserves your full attention! The self titled album, Low Spark, along with "John Barleycorn Must Die" remain my favorites, but I love it all! Here's some great flute music for you........"40,000 Headmen" ua-cam.com/video/pDI5BWmITNs/v-deo.html
Steve Winwood, I can listen to him a day. I'm a classic rocker, the Dave Matthews Band is a good mix of rock and jazz..
Cute story about your daughter liking Steely Dan. She will be a chip off the old block....I predict another musician in the family! Shall we say guitar or piano lessons in her future?