first time hearing TRAFFIC - The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys | Reaction!!
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Now imagine your parents, and friends, sitting together in a darkened basement, mind altered, listening to this for the very first time.
Sounds like a dream
Well I was and am one of those old guys in a basement, mind altered This was stunning Such good stuff
I am one of those future parents setting in the basement lol
Have vape pen and killer head phones and enjoying the hell out of a song I have heard for 50 years
Yeah eventually my child came down to the basement with me 🙂 All my old friends I used to sit around with are like family anyway! Peace and love!
Being old now is a fair price for being young when all the great music was out.
I’m 74 and couldn’t agree more.
I wouldn't have it any other way. 66 now, and I think I was born at the exact right time to be a music lover.
This is the best comment I have ever heard about music we grew up to.
Nice thought, no fences, freedom, no daycare from 2 months same room for years, ya then people were creative and not stuck in secure rms in college. Poor little guys take over when we’re older.
@@annehemmer5153My favorite tee shirt says “I may be old, but at least I saw Rush in concert!”
Im 66 yrs old and we grew up with the greatest music made. From rock to motown, we had it all!
67th birthday yesterday!
68 soon and we had the best times and best music
70 recently - grew up immersed in this era, spent decades moved into other musical realms.
These past 8-10 years revisiting this era.
There's some magic here for sure.
Yes! Yes. We. Did.
67 come April. We definitely had the best music of all time, except maybe Disco.
Welcome to our World, brother. Growing up with 60's & 70's music was a huge privilege.
I still can't believe that I was fortunate enough to have been there.
I was 70's and 80's, when we still had awesome music.
It just made everyone enjoy life and the company of others. :) look back now and realize that was a blessing - which now gives me lots of fond memories of those I’ve lost or lost touch with.
We had so much great music.....we almost took it for granted. ❤❤❤❤😊😊
I must agree out loud. Our generation did have the best music!
Boomers 🤣❤🤙🎶
Yes yes… so true ❤
Damn straight!
🎼Yeah we did!☮️💟😑
Hands Down
Steve Winwood wrote this song, along with Jim Capaldi, to vent his disdain for how record companies treated artists in those days.
Thanks, I love input.
@@Rock_SnobNice fable. It is one of many tracks in the day dissing the record companies. Barracuda, Working for MCA, Death on Two Legs, Zanz Kant Danz, Have a Cigar, etc.
I believe Winwood was only 17 or18 when I did this.
And treatment of musicians has only gotten worse...🤬
@@illiambarna9470
He was 23
Blind Faith is a must listen after Traffic.
Any half a century old songs covered by 30 years olds is doing something well.
Or SPIRIT.😊
Yes, after he added Clapton.
....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.....
.........Great lyrics..........
And it applies so much more today then ever.
@@ynwht655it was the same back then…… as it is today!… greed is in the human blue print!
Also "Or take me for a ride and strip me of everything including my pride. The spirit is something that no one destroys." Pure genius.
There is also genius in just the sound and rhythm of the words - how it fits perfectly with the music.
"But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest, 'twas the low spark of high-heeled boys...... .... .... high-heeled boys..."
The music we old farts grew up on was so much more sophisticated than what I hear today. Of course, we were listening to Ellington and Basie with our parents, too. We had good ears.
Tom
Don’t you love seeing a young cat like polo digging it.
Born in 1970, I grew up listening to both genres, thanks to my father. He liked only some classic rock, but he had hundreds of jazz albums. He especially loved Basie.
It wasn't Ellington and Basie on the side at my house. It was Brubeck and Davis and Coltrane.
My parents were more the Glenn Miller Band, Dean Martin, and a lot of musicals and classical. We were a Catholic family so lots of that music too.
From the time I was a young child, music filled our home. I'm very grateful that I heard an impeccable variety of great musicians. My father loved jazz, so I had the privilege to hear Basie, Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, and many more. My Dad bought me my first Beatles album. Incredible memories of a time that was so special and now a beautiful soul named Polo is discovering a world that will further enrich his life. IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
Us older folks had some AWESOME music to grow up with!
You got that right!!! NOBODY had it better, especially when it comes to the diversity of the music~ it was SUCH a creative time for artists of the generation! We were lucky AF to have been there when all THIS was first happening. I am so very glad that Polo is digging this and hopefully, turning the "youngsters" on to so many of our favorites 💚💚💚
I really want to see him react to Steve Winwood as a teen singing "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" from his time with The Spencer Davis Group.
How many kids played with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley before they left high school?
Definitely the case.
@@MrVvulfomg!!!!! You’re so right! I now play the cigar box guitar to get back to the blues/jazz roots that aren’t created now!!!!
The best part of being 70 years old now is that this music was in our ears as teenagers. Glorious. Traffic is one of my absolute favorites. Great of you to give this song a listen, despite the title.
Agree.
OK, boomer. Sure, I listened to this in college. But I'm only 67. 😁😁
Great song, great album. Last week I listened to 'John Barleycorn Must Die', another great from Traffic.
You're a boomer too! Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964.@@LesCish
@@barbarasmith9590 You betcha! That's why I added the 😁😁 after noting how much younger I am. 😁😁
their two best albums , oh and on the road a double from same era which includes most of barleycorn and low spark .
Let me just say that I’ve never felt more connected to any thread of comments than these! I think our generation was truly blessed to enjoy so many excellent and TIMELESS musicians. I WISH WE WERE ALL IN THE SAME ROOM SHARING A DUBIE;)
This is the only Traffic I never minded being stuck in!
I see what you did there 😂 🤘🏼
😂😂me too.
Traffic. On the Road
Live album. Whoo-ya!
One of my top 5 songs ever written
They do not make music like they used to. This is a masterpiece.
You are progressing well, Grasshopper.
"When you can snatch the LP from my hand, it will be time for you to go."
LOL, good show
Polo - you reaction channel is so much more than us watching you listen to good ole music we grew up on - you’re helping us relive parts of ourselves
the best parts
Can't say enough how badass this track is. Genius.... pure unadulterated Genius!!
Besides the fantastic Steve Winwood who helped form the British soulful/psychedelic rock band 'Traffic' in 1967 he also was one of the founding members of his previous English rock band the 'Spencer Davis Group' who were included in the British invasion artists in the 1960's with their smash hits "Gimme Some Lovin" (1966) and "I'm A Man" (1967). Another one of the founding members of 'Traffic' is the renowned singer/songwriter and superb guitarist Dave Mason. Dave Mason, after he left 'Traffic' became a solo artist. His successful album 'Alone Together' released back in 1970 is smokin' hot. Dave was joined by several popular musicians in recording the album such as Leon Russell on piano, Rita Coolidge on backing vocals and drummers Jim Capaldi and Jim Keltner just to name a few. A couple tracks off this album "Look at You Look at Me" and "World in Changes" were huge international hits that received plenty of airplay on the FM radio dial over 50 years ago are worth checking out. 🔍🎤🎷🎸🎹🥁🔊🔥🔥☮.
Nice information! Thanks a bunch, dude.
According to Steve Winwood, Dave Mason was never in Traffic.
@@bstaff1901 I usually "fact check" and research before I spew out misinformation in a comment. If you find the time, check out the sources in 'Wikipedia' the free on-line encyclopedia and look up (1) 'Traffic' English rock band, (2) Dave Mason, and (3) the song "Feelin' Alright?" which is a track off the 1968 album 'Traffic'. If I'm mistaken in any way, rest assured, it was not intentional. At any rate, thanks for your reply. 😎🍻🥂👌
Steve Winwood's solo work is also worth checking, especially the album "Arc of a Diver".
@@gabrielvanhelsing8214 and yet in interviews Steve has said, “Dave Mason was never in Traffic.” I saw an interview with Dave years ago commenting on it as well. It all came to a head when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In my opinion, this is one of the best songs ever written. I’ve felt that way since the first time I heard it. Steve Winwood is vastly under-rated
Don't despair, he's not underated here in Great Britain -- especially revered by the Mod movement here, and many great singer/songwriters like Paul Weller! :0)
Underrated! By who! The man is a legend the world over!!
The Ray Charles of his generation. Ironically Ray was his idol.
@@JamesFolkers maybe I meant under appreciated and by that I mean he’s not a household name here in the states and doesn’t get the recognition for the GENUIS that he is
@@lunadyana3330I’m in the States (Arizona) and all the musicians and people I know think extremely highly of Steve. He was supposed to perform here about 2 years ago but cancelled and many of my friends were very disappointed. He is an extraordinarily talented musician and singer - we are fortunate to have recordings.
Steve Winwood. Gorgeous voice and piano. Began his career as a teenage kid with the Spencer Davis band. His "Gimme some Lovin'" still fills the dancefloor. Steve patterned his early singing and piano playing on Ray Charles, his musical hero. Steve picked the best to emulate. Nothing like talent to endure. From the 1960s until today. Thanks Polo.
Steve Winwood was/is also very underrated on guitar. His solo on (Sometimes I Fee So) Uninspired, off the On The Road (Live) album still brings me tears and chills. He taps into emotion in his playing somehow, far more than most others.
@@rhmayer1He is awesome live. It’s worth traveling to see his shows.
@@bartjoy5179 Yeah. He's the real deal.
One of my favorite songs of all time, play it all the time. My older brother turned me on to traffic and Stevie Winwood. A super classic! ✌️❤️🤘🥁
Me too, from aging drummer girl ❤❤❤
❤️
Awesome album⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My older brother did the same for me! He gave me the cassette of Welcome To The Canteen and told me I would love it. I sure did!
I remember the first thing that struck me was the name Rebop Kwaku Baah, the percussionist.
I love it! I remember reading his name for the first time as well! Thanks for sharing!
Traffic is an amazing group! Talented and genius lyrics...Love their creations.
Yes they had a lot of talent in the group. Too bad you don't hear hardly anything by them in classic radio stations. Steve Winwood totally amazing
I'm 70 yrs old bought my first album in 1967 and you're listening to this mind blowing tune played by a19yr old kid singing and playing keyboard.... Fire up another bowl !
I think you meant to say to fire up another bowl, not 'bowel'.
Winwood wasn't 19 when this was made, but he was still pretty young.
I met Genesis when Selling England by the Pound was released. They were about 23 years old!
@@davedammit5404At 70..maybe he did lol
I was a 30 y.o. when this album was released in 1971. Today, at 83, I still find this to be an incredible piece! It still blows me away!
Skip the bowel and go for a bowl.
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it! It’s a MASTERPIECE! Steve Winwood is a Genius! All the Musicians just shining expressing their combined talents!!! Grateful I was around when this song was first released!
Thanks for exposing it to those hearing it for the first time! 👏👏👏
Watching your reaction to 'Dear Mr. Fantasy ' next. Love this
Check his repertoire... he's already reacted to it! Do a UA-cam search for "Polo reacts Traffic"
The live version from the Crossroads Festival in 2007 is fire!
Oh man!! You said it!
This group had so many great songs,but if you have a great pair of phones or buds,Heaven Is in Your Mind has the best trippy stereo mix of any tune I’ve ever heard.
We were so lucky to be gifted this music in our youth.🤠
Oh this takes me right back. My earliest musical memory was of the Beatles and the Stones and then everything that rolled out after. I am so fortunate that I was alive as all this music was born into the world for the first time. Call me a boomer but I've been so lucky.If you lived through this, you know it was a gift.
I liked this and many others more than the Beatles and Stones. It's so fun listening to Polos channel
this song is the definition of a headspace. The fact that you kept replaying parts of it is not so different than all the times I've entered and re-entered the headspace they created. When it came out I didn't even know what jazz was, but it proved to be a stepping stone in my musical education. Loved your review brother.
TRAFFIC was a great band. Wish they were able to stay together for a lot longer. But they gave us great music to listen to for a long time.
During the 60’s and 70’s
Half of the USA’s population was under 25. Lots of energy
Very overlooked fact. In 1966, 40% of the country was under 20 years old. Makes a huge difference in the overall vibe of a society.
India is kinda like that now.. when I visit and I take the Delhi subway for example.. it's overwhelmingly 20-somethings.
@williamkleeberg751 Traffic were an English band.
Don't we have similar numbers now? Not seeing any positive or creative energy
@@mwfmtnman Only 35% of the US population is between 0-25 and that percentage is dropping with every generation.
Love the fact that the lead on this isn’t a guitar, but the piano! Steve Winwood is arguably one of the greatest all around artists of all time!!!
Another great reaction Polo!👏👏
Warning my friend Polo...if you listen to this too long...You cant find your way back home😊😊😊
I think that's only if you're wasted 😊.
@@thomaswilliams2273or have been consuming rock and roll stew.
i see what you did there lol
Low Spark & High Heeled Boys - this whole album is great!
FACTS!
AND "John Barleycorn Must Die".
I think I had this album
Required..." Roll With It"...Stevie Winwood...and the immortal "Can't Find My Way Home"... Best version (there are many) is Live @Crossroads Guitar fest (Clapton fund raiser)...with Stevie Winwood, Eric, Doyle Bramhall, DEREK TRUCKS, etc.
Eric & Stevie were in Blind Faith (a supergroup) for a minute.
FANTASTIC, very moving video...
"Don't You Know What The Night Can Do" "Holding On". Also Higher Love
I have listened to this song countless times, but watching you enjoy it makes me really appreciate it on a deeper level.
"Glad" is a great piano piece by Traffic.
🎼Love Steve Winwood’s piano. I guess I just love Traffic. I’m not young now but I was back when this was playing on the new FM radio. The sax player is Chris Wood. Steve Winwood hacks the ivory keys, the Hammond organ and sings. I’m glad you like them. Good jazz’ll give you goosebumps.🎼☮️
AND lead guitar
Takes me back to my teen years in the ‘70’s, hangin out in my basement shooting pool (8 ball) sharing some of mother natures finest with a few close friends…i can feel these types of memories in my bones. Don’t bogart that joint my friend😉…Lord how i miss those days…
@NickWebber-vp4pd I had the same experiences back then. Surely do long for those days.
Alot of these old British musicians have their beginnings in the blues, Brits love our blues so that is why you hear it in current music.
They all went to the University of John Mayall!
This is Traffic with Steve Winwoods Greatest Hit...absolutely LOVE this Urban Jam! Complete 🔥🔥🔥! Now You have got to do Boz Skaggs, "Dirty Low Down", Steely Dan`s "Do it Again" & Gerry Rafferty "Baker Street"!!!!
I was thinking the same thing- Boz Skaggs needs to be heard!
Wow, great playlist.
And Bonnie Raitt's cover of Rafferty's "Right Down the Line." She puts a nice reggae feel to it.
Polo, you just opened yourself a whole can of worms! You may the first reactor play Traffic. They were serious musicians. Steve Winwood is one of the gods of 60's and 70's rock music. Before Traffic, he sang Gimme Some Loving and I'm a Man with The Spencer Davis Group as a teenager. These were major hits. Polo, listen to his version of Georgia. It will blow you away. After the Beatles and Stones, Traffic was my favorite group. Steve Winwood plays the finest piano and organ, and sings with soul. Traffic has many great songs that I hope one day you will find the time to listen to! Peace bro!
Steve is also a great t guitarist
Loads of reactors have played this track!
@@billalbritton4972Indeed!
There's TONS of Traffic reactions all over youtube.🤣
Always loved "Heaven is in your Mind" there is a live version up here on youtube that has a Dave Mason Lead at the end of it. Pretty special.
Yes Polo, it was known as the first generation of rock and roll and it’s still as good today as then. Thank you for critiquing and playing that great song.
Nothing better than a Traffic jam.
I'm turning 65 this year. No other song makes me smile like this one does. It might be just be my favourite song of all time..Great revue! I'm glad you liked, (I knew you would.)
Me too
Back in the day when you could truly enjoy just listening to a long-playing vinyl track.
Had the pleasure of seeing Steve Winwood and Steely Dan a few years back!! And that was sound at its finest!!
listen to the whole album start to finish, it will rise to the top of your favorites list real quick..the atmosphere that no other band can create...so unique and the production by winwood for 1971 is unmatched
The 1971 Album Low Spark of High-heeled Boys is great (Traffic's fifth album). Their 4th album, John Barleycorn Must Die (1970) is a great album too. Must have. Only 6 tunes on the album.
The only song on that one I don't love is the final one, but it serves well enough as a coda.
People often slight "Shootout at the Fantasy Factory", I disagree. Also very good.
All the comments and finally someone mentions John Barleycorn! As good as this sound and album are IMHO I think the John Barleycorn album is better.
I still have the John Barleycorn Album somewhere in the cabinet near my stereo system. I think I need to give it a spin tomorrow morning while I organize the living room area. It's been too long!
I love this song. I once went to a Steve Winwood Concert around the time of Higher Love and the show was not starting on time and I had to work in the morning so I was on the verge of leaving. Just then on a completely dark stage, the piano starts with this song and I got chills and goosebumps. In the end I was glad I stayed for the show.
We'll Be Back In The High Life Again "
Remember, Polo, when this recording was released, platform shoes were all the rage--for men and women. It was the disco era, and rock musicians, especially, wore platforms and high-waisted flared pants. Hence "high-heeled boys."
Pre-Disco. Think Funk and early Glam
Life as a teenager was consumed by music, music history, band history, everything about it. I am so thankful to have lived through that greatest age of music, back when guitars could talk, saxophones streamed from one's soul and even drum riffs beat out our very hearts. It's great to see the younger generation feeling it too!
@TshugaPum you and me - we share the same love ❤️
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys! 50/55 yrs ago. Back in the late 60's early 70's this would have been described as "one groovy song". English Rock at its best!
If you liked the piano and sax, try Ronnie Laws, Fever!
Our music from back in the day 60's and 70's mainly were so creative ...the changes the experimenting with different instruments and sounds ...nothing compares to it today!!! And geez they were all long haired, high hippies....in other words geniuses !!❤🎵☮️
I have a copy CD in my car - I can replay it several times and after FIFTY years it still sounds FANTASTIC.
Time vanishes when it's playing
Hate you? Are you kidding? It’s wonderful to watch another person experience this song for the first time, and be left in the same state of wonderment, trying to unpack what you’ve just heard. The first time I heard it I was 19 years old, and being a musician all my life it blew me away. I’ve continued listening to it half a dozen times a year. I’m now 70. 👍
For the record your reactions are tip top. I don’t know if you’re a musician, but you undoubtedly have the mind and heart of one. Cheers!
Strong recommendation: Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water” recorded in 1970 when Elton John was still the original Elton John. It’s a masterpiece
And another Elton John song from that era -“Burn Down the Mission”. I can listen to that song 20x’s and still want more, just like this tune:)
Classic Steve Winwood and Traffic TALENT 👌
There’s excellent video of this LIVE. ❤
Winwood is so gifted. Check him out at age 17 sounding like Ray Charles on Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.
From what I gathered on "High-Heeled" is what I have known as "Well-Heeled", which I know as wealthy, and most likely not self-made wealth. It puts perspective on the lyrics.
The great Steve Winwood. Maybe Britain's finest singer, songwriter, and master musician. He plays over 30 instruments and plays them at a high level. One of the greats.
There are a handful of songs that transport me back to my junior and senior high school days. This is one of them.
Oh, Polo, I'm so glad you liked this one. It's a classic to us.
I love songs that make your mind wander and wonder. The sax and piano does it here 👍
Everytime I hear that opening sax I'm completely transported back to an amazing mind-expanding time in my fortunate life ...a most beautiful menagerie of young free spirited humans just 'being' ❤
Been quite a minute since I heard this masterpiece! One of those timeless pieces! Great reaction! Peace!
Kudos to whoever made this request , it’s been years since I’ve heard this song
Steve Winwood is SO UNDERRATED!
This is one of my favorites and always on heavy rotation!
It’s great to clean your house to! I’m 60 this year and our music still fu**in KILLS IT!❤⭐️🔥
Underrated is the most overrated response on UA-cam. How can a man who won the Grammy award for best album of the year, played with Blind Faith, the Spencer Davis group and Traffic ever be considered underrated?? if you look up this song on UA-cam it has 5.1 million views. The Blind Faith song, Can't Find My Way Home has 6.5 million views
Underrated? not hardly…
Not underrated at all lol
I'll be 70 this fall. Traffic was one of my go-to's on the morning after a night before...if y'all catch my drift.
We had some damn fine music growing up.
@@lotswifemusic9965He’s underrated because when people talk about the greats like Paul McCartney he is almost never mentioned. He’s just not in the consciousness of most people. But he should be. Maybe the greatest all around musician, songwriter, singer in rock history. He played like 7 instruments masterfully. And the rock voice, don’t get me started.
@@glencurtis2761 Thank you! That was my point. 👏
The character actor, Michael Pollard is given credit for the title. They were all sitting around in LA, blowing up spliffs and Michael, one of the smartest people in Hollywood offered the title, which led to the chorus.
Chris Wood was a big influence for Tenor Sax players, great jazz stylings.......electrified!~
Did you check out “Dear Mister Fantasy” …Traffic, already? It’s a great one.
Check his repertoire... he's already reacted to it! Do a UA-cam search for "Polo reacts Traffic"
Check his repertoire... he's already reacted to it! Do a UA-cam search for "Polo reacts Traffic"
Love it!
It always amazes me how all these brilliant musicians emerged from post WW2 Great Britain...AND somehow managed to end up finding each other and creating perfect groups! In this case its:
Steve Winwood- keybord, vocals
Dave Mason- g
Chris Wood- sax, flute
Rick Grech- b
the great Jim Gordon- d
Jim Capaldi- percussion
Rebop Kwaku Baah- percussion
Stevie Winwood! Started with Spencer Davis when he was 17, went on to play with Cream, Blind Faith, and many, many more. Genius.
I think you just saved my life this evening dude. Love this.
Much better than that modern dribble
Check out Ren
Interesting thing is in the 60's and 70's a lot of rock and roll and motown groups wore those high heeled shoes or boots. From the Beatles to the Stones, then it went out of fashion but kept alive later by Elton John and others. So of course, the song is about dealing with the managers and record execs who got rich from them. The bullet reference was to a hit rising up the top 100 like a bullet. And what sometimes laid these guys in suits "to rest" was a level of success that allowed the "high heeled boys" to break free. The first time I heard this I was mesmerized. Not unlike you. And on further listening I think Jim Capaldi's drums become more and more prominent with each listen. Great reaction! Really enjoy them.
You sound knowledgeable. So tell me please, what does “low spark” refer to? All I can think of is depressed or listless.
@@gv7217well not exactly. There were high heeled shoes long before there were platform shoes. (Women have worn high heels forever and men have done so in certain centuries….including cowboy boots). Platform shoes and boots became huge around 1970. Dang, I had a pair of platform boots I must have worn almost daily for a couple of years. Just like in the movie Almost Famous.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that there are high-heeled shoes and there are platform high-heeled shoes. They are not synonymous.
Interesting interpretation and one that followed the song so that it could remain in play on the airwaves (although it was way too long for AM radio). It is also the interpretation of the song by the guy who wrote it. However, when it first came out, it was interpreted in a much more sinister way. In the New York drug scene and other places, cocaine was called "girl' while heroin was called "boy". They were experimenting with mixing the two drugs, which was quite deadly for many users (it will happen to you). The theory was that cocaine would soften the effects of hard heroin, thus, the low spark. High heeled boys was heroin (boy) spiked with cocaine (girl). This mixture eventually was called a speedball. The gun that didn't make any noise was a hypodermic needle. The dealer himself overdosed and died in the song because it was a warning that this couldn't be controlled. Many of us held to this interpretation until Capaldi came out with his meaning, which confused the issue, adding to the mystique of the song and the band.
@@helenespaulding7562I always thought the Low Spark is the sound your heels make on the sidewalk approaching someone fast like a sparking sound.. usually from wearing boots that had a slight heel
One of your best reactions I've seen in a while ❤
Jim Gordon on drums. Phenomenal!
I grew up in the UK and remember when The Spencer Davis Group had their first number one hit with "Keep on Running" in 1965, followed by "Somebody Help Me". I was fascinated with their lead singer Steve Winwood who was only 17 at the time. Even more remarkable was the fact that he joined the group when he was just 14. He went on to co-write two of their most well-known songs, "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm a Man". In '67 (the year I moved to the US) he left the band to form Traffic and later joined Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker in Blind Faith. After that he faded from the limelight and I lost track of him until one day in the mid-eighties I heard "Back in the High Life Again" on the radio, and realized he was back. Actually, he'd been back for a while, I just hadn't heard any of his newer songs, including "Arc of the Diver" from 1980. Anyway, I was glad to rediscover his music.
I bought the Low Spark album on cassette in 1986, mainly for the title track but also because Winwood was for me at the time one of those artists who had always been just at the edge of my vision. Like, I had really been into Clapton in high school and digging into his back catalog brought me to Blind Faith, things like that. I dimly remembered Arc of a Diver, mostly because I was into heavier music at the time so it barely registered with me.
Low Spark rather quickly became my favorite "chilling out" album. Loved all the songs, but Light Up Or Leave Me Alone became my favorite. Well, it's upbeat, go figure.
I bought all of Traffic's records as soon as they were released, and still have them. I'm glad to hear that they were still influential in the '80s. And are being rediscovered even today.
Can't wait, Traffic is my favorite band!
The hypnotic instrumentals in this song always give me the vibe of an old 70's show/movie where the cop is cruising through the streets of New York City looking for bad guys... LOL Love Traffic!!! ❤️
At 10:25, Polo was lost in Traffic for minute. Badass reaction, friend.
Traffic was so genre-defying. Traffic is one of my top-5 favorite bands of all time. Loved them.
I’m digging the new special effects you’re adding. They definitely were a nice touch for this track 👍.
What are you talking about?
wha….?
Because of you Polo I discovered new music today. I enjoy your reactions enough that I'll listen to a band I've heard of but never listened to. And it wasnt wasted time 🤘🏼 This song was fire on so many levels
I love how adding clapping completely changes the feel during those parts while everything else keeps doing what it was doing.
Great reaction. I really like the special effects. This track is quite mesmerizing. I'm glad you like it.
Yes groovy special effects Polo...you are from our generation !🎵☮️
Live "One For The Road" is a integral part of my childhood. Especially Low Spark of High-heeled Boys and Sometimes I Feel So Uninspired.
Stevie kills it.
Killer album. Wore out the grooves on mine because I played so much.
This is a master class in songwriting. Just the way the bass driven chord plays incessantly in the midst of the chaos created by the other instruments creates an almost unbearable tension that's only broken by Winwood's vocals but the lyrics are hardly calming and the breakdown on the chorus just add to the tension until the final verse that injects a note of hope and then everything seems to calm down in acceptance of reality. Sheer brilliance on every level.
@RicoCosta317 Well said!
Thrills my soul to know Traffic,and this song especially is getting the credit it deserves. When it hit my living room,it was a visit to another planet. Every word you say speaks true. Ty. ❤️🎶
Attention to detail, then they tried every sound effect in the studio. Mastery
That is the number one song of my whole life.
I have to say, I've heard "Low Sparks.." countless times. Listening to it through you was a treat - a real fresh take. Thank you!
it was pretty bleak growing up in London just after the war.. but then we got the Welfare State, for which all Brits were truly thankful, and then.... we got the 60s!!. How lucky we were, and those of us who are still above ground still are.
Traffic is one of the original jam bands.
Whenever this came on the radio, we knew it meant the DJ had to go to the bathroom 😆SUCH a killer tune, Traffic has some incredible songs, always loved these guys! Great video as always
I never tire of hearing this piece of jazz/rock/prog/psychedelic genius - and I similarly never tire of watching reaction videos to it. There's nothing I can add to what other commenters have said, the whole thing is flawlessly composed, arranged, played, sung, produced and... imagined.
Steve Winwood on vocals, he sounds just as good even now, in his seventies 🎧
When I was a kid. My Mom used to have this playing on the stereo all the time. Eric Clapton, The Beatles, and all kinds of bands from this era. Love these memories
Thanks for another great reaction! I first saw Traffic live in Dallas in 1972. I was 22 and experienced that concert with heightened awareness aides. At the time I was blown away because I felt like Traffic was even better live than their recordings. I saw them again in Dallas in 1990. I was 40 but saw them without the aides I had before. I still felt like they were even better live and still amazing eighteen years later. Just an incredibly talented group. I am grateful that I was able to experience so much great music live in the 1960's and 1970's. I really enjoy your thoughts and perspective on the music that had such a huge impact on my life. Keep them coming!
I grew up in San Francisco in the early 60s. A wonderful time for wonderful music. Thank you young man for bringing back great memories. Blessings
This is my absolute favorite song ever. I'm 69 years old and it was so exciting to watch you smiling and jamming out to each part of the song. This brought much joy 🙏
Ive been waiting for you to "turn on" to this song,,,,, SO awesome!!!!!!