Steve Winwood was a musical phenom from his teen years. In this song he plated the guitar lead parts as well as vocals. I would highly recommend another song by Traffic "Low spark of high heeled boys", which is mix of jazz and rock and for me there best song.
While I love that song (“Low Spark”), and that period, and this song and early period, my favorite album, and period is actually before that, the “middle period” of Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die. That album, also more jazzy-rocky but also some folkier elements is my absolute favorite Traffic. I could put that album on repeat play and just loop it all day. But there’s very little bad traffic.
@@bobcorbin3294 Yep, Dave on guitar, and he also survived through the next album, the self titled "Traffic" album which includes some great Mason tunes, especially "Don't Be Sad"! It's one of those great "wonders" I have about what they might have accomplished together. Oh well, we'll never know!
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is brilliant. Steve Winwood is such an amazing talent. Also, Gimme Some Lovin from his time with the Spencer Davis Group.
Obvious choice but: Low Spark of High Heeled boys has always been my favorite Traffic song. I do agree that you should hit Spencer Davis to get the whole Steve W. History. He also played on an early and very good Joe Cocker LP.
When my wife and I saw Steely Dan a couple of years ago Steve Winwood opened the show. Steve plays guitar on this cut. He got standing ovation after nearly song. Try listening to Low Spark of High Heel Boys or Back Pages. Traffic was an incredible band.
Stevie's just so talented, and as this song shows an extremely underrated guitarist. He was a star at the age of 15 in the UK with the Spencer Davis Group. Traffic had many styles but two I'd recommend are The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys from the album of the same name, and John Barleycorn Must Die which has that pastoral, folky vibe to it. It's an old traditional English folk song about cutting barley to make beer. I was lucky enough to see Stevie supporting the Dan in 2019, because he did a relatively short set, every song was a classic. Then to cap a perfect night he came on to sing and play keyboards with them on Pretzel Logic . That's a great double bill with Snarky Puppy. It was you two that introduced me to them when you reacted to Shofukan. Seeing them in October, can't wait.
So glad you are going down the Steve Winwood road once again. Great singer, such a talented musician! Moved around so much, solo work next please. “ Arc of a Diver” or “ Higher Love”. All the things Winwood are fantastic! Love your channel; Been here since the beginning .
Jimi Hendrix was a huge Steve Winwood fan & wanted to be in a band with him. Jimi sought him out to play on Voodoo Child. They went in the studio and crafted it, with Steve on organ. All the legends love Steve.
Dudes, the chronology of Steve Winwood is as follows: Spencer Davis Group >> Traffic >> Blind Faith >> regrouped with Traffic >> solo career + many collaborations throughout the decades!😎
Excellent! My favorite Windwood: Traffic (track: “Dear Mr. Fantasy”), Traffic LPs: John Barleycorn Must Die,” and Low Spark of High-Heel Boys” - jazzy vibe but a little repetitive but we didn’t care (tranced out). Also liked his later solo LP: “Arc of a Diver.” And loved Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” and even his later solo pop hits were ok. When Winwood was a teenager, he belted out soulful vocals in the Spencer Davis Group. Very varied sounds from Mr. Winwood. Great reaction. And Thanks Colin. ✨😉
i went to high school from 1972-1975 and this was a party favorite,,,traffic is one of the best bands ever...so much talent in one group.keep em' comin' my rocky mtn friends...love,Kent.
The song is written by Jim Capaldi, lyrics and Wood and Winwood the musical part, in 1967. The band then consisted of : Jim Capaldi - drums, percussion, vocals; Dave Mason - guitar, Mellotron, sitar, tambura, harmonica, percussion, bass guitar on "Dear Mr. Fantasy" vocals; Steve Winwood - Hammond organ, guitar, bass guitar, piano, harpsichord, percussion, vocals, arrangements; Chris Wood - flute, saxophone, Hammond organ, percussion, vocals. Only two components, Dave Manson and Steve Winwood are still alive.. Saludos
@@joelliebler5690 I was listening to Genesis' first album the other day, which was pressed when they were in their early 20s. Mind-boggling how precocious some people can be. But for those guys, their education was a large part of it. Such an impressive list of folks went through Charterhouse. While Chicago was a competent band, I don't know that they ever produced a "Close to the Edge", a "Firth of Fifth" or "Supper's Ready", and certainly not an "In the Court of the Crimson King". I was playing trumpet at the time, was growing tired of horns, so there is that. Dire Straits by throwing down on "trumpet playing bands" might have put a dent in such endeavors, as they seemed to fade. Mozart must have been messing in the medicine cabinet, I figure.
There is a blinding live version of this from the 2007 Crossroads Festival, stevie's guitar solo is excellent and the two (yes two) drummers Steve Gadd and Steve Jordan absolutely killed it ruclips.net/video/fmoL-qXAr5o/видео.html , widely regarded as The Best Version Of Mr Fantasy. And the band looked very happy with it as well.
Yeah, have seen it before but went back for another taste. Excellent. One point - No Steve Gadd! Listed for the performance are Ian Thomas (drums), and Steve Jordan (drums).
Steve is a multi-instrumentalist. He plays piano, organ, guitar, etc. He’s a prolific songwriter and was with Spencer Davis group, Blind Faith, Traffic as well as having a solo career. Check out Gimme Some Lovin’, Valerie, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Roll With It to get a goid idea of his career. We were also disappointed that he wasn’t able to play with Steely Dan on this concert tour. We seen both multiple times.
@@crimsonking70 Wow thanks. Now I will have to re-visualize the band...or watch a live video maybe. I always pictured him playing sax, for some reason. He seemed more like someone who would be in the front.
@@crimsonking70 Ah. okay thanks! I thought I had seen him up front there, with his blue eyes and chiseled jaw and clean tight beard. He needed to be out front.
Nick and Lex, eventually you have to watch Traffic Live at Santa Monica 1972, an hour long concert. It's on RUclips, without commercials and showcases the musical talents of Steve Winwood. From his great vocals to his excellent work on acoustic and electric guitars and exceptional piano and organ playing, it's all there during these 8 classic Traffic songs.
Saw Traffic back in September 1971 at the Albert Hall in London - with the terrific band Seatrain in support. Saw Stevie Winwood and his band supporting Steely Dan here in Perth several years ago; I was looking for a bass player until I realized that Stevie was not only singing and playing keyboard/organ, but using pedals to play bass. Amazing. And you should here him play lead guitar!
Great reaction, Stevie was with The Spencer Davis Group, Gimmie Some Lovin', Keep On Running and I'm A Man were all hits. He was just a kid and could sing like Ray Charles (when he wanted to).
I saw Steve W open for Tom Petty - and Steve as warmup blew it away! When Jimi Hendrix went to UK for the first time, he wanted to meet two people - Jeff Beck (another one to listen to!) and Steve Winwood! He’s crazy good! 🤗
This is one of the great unsung bands from the sixties. That great sound was due to producer Jimmy Miller. Mick Jagger was so impressed with his work that he snatched him up to produce the Stones, and he really improved the quality of their records.
Lex: Steve Winwood was "stuck in Traffic"? I saw The Electric Prunes in concert last night. They really moved me. The Electric Flag was there too. I salute them. The Jefferson Airplane played too. They were all so high. The Rolling Stones gathered no moss. The Who was on first.
And my favorite Traffic album is definitely worth a reaction, John Barleycorn Must Die. Start with the opening medley: “Glad/Freedom Rider”. But everything on that album is gold for me. “Empty Pages” might be my favorite song from that album and maybe my favorite song by Traffic.
Heck yes! "John Barleycorn" is such a terrific album! I think I'm on my third copy, not sure. I've always loved Traffic and will forever! I really like the "Traffic" album too, when Mason was still around. Great stuff throughout!
You gotta do "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys", my absolute chill song, it is slightly long, but worth every second of flexing on the piano and organ, chef's kiss. I listen as I lounge, know every chord as I do air piano, and sing along. A great jazz tune that gives the drums and the whole band such a great jazz crescendo, absolutely stellar song from my rock past.💙🌺
Good selection! I'm a long-time 60s music fan. For Cream and The Doors, these are my favorite tracks: Cream - White Room (1968) Cream - Badge (1969) Cream - Crossroads (1968) Doors - Light My Fire (1967) Doors - Break on Through (to the other Side) (1967) Doors - Peace Frog (1970) Any of these would be good for a reaction video!
Please listen to either "Gimme Some Loving" or "I'm a Man" by the Spencer Davis Group. The band was formed in 1963 and Steve Winwood was 14 at that time and was the organist and singer.
Earlier Steve Winwood when he was a teen he and his brother played in the Spences Davis group, He played the keyboards and was the lead singer and wrote two of the group's biggest hits "Gimme some lovin" and I'm a man which Chicago did a compy on their first album During the eighties in his solo career he had hits like Higher Love, What the night will do "If you see a chance" Etc
Omg guys Steve Winwood is amazing! A musical prodigy! If you were to him live flawless! He was 14 when he formed the Spencer Davies group. Definitely an artist to pursue from beginning to now.
Frank Zappa - Dupree's Paradise (1973) live ruclips.net/video/qr6mTloYJJs/видео.html Orchestration: 2 flutes, 2 oboes (2nd = English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, percussion (bass drums, bells, castanets, chimes, cymbals, Chinese cymbals, gong, maracas, marimba, piccolo snare drum, pop gun, slapstick, snare drum, tam-tam, vibraphone, woodblock, xylophone), harp, 2 pianos (= celestas), and strings “Dupree’s Paradise is about a bar on Avalon Boulevard in Watts at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday in 1964, during the early morning jam session. For about seven minutes, the customers (winos, musicians, degenerates and policemen) do the things that set them apart from the rest of society.” Zappa’s Varèse-inspired point of reference is apparent in his sheer exuberance with the ringing, clanging, abutting piles of sound he marshals. Zappa takes the opening optimistic tune down the rabbit hole, from which it emerges at times sounding like Gershwin, at others like a serialist’s lost weekend. As for his rhythms, Zappa notes they are in general derived from speech patterns and “should have the same sort of flow a conversation would have.”
Have always loved his "Spanish Dancer" and "Night Train" from his later solo album "Arc of a Diver". Great album. I believe he plays all the instruments on it.
Thank goodness you're following the Winwood thread! Such a brilliant musician! I really hate having to suggest "singles" as I'm an album oriented person, but some great choices would be: Dave Mason's "Don't Be Sad", "Forty Thousand Headmen" "Glad/Freedom Rider" "John Barleycorn Must Die" "Empty Pages" "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" Capaldi's "Light Up or Leave Me Alone". That's enough for now, but by no means all you should hear! Traffic was a terrific band and a very important one!
Traffic is one of those bands with unquestionable talent and never got enough recognition before Steve Winwood became popular as a solo artist. Please consider playing "John Barleycorn Must Die" - recorded in 1970, but adapted from a 1700's Scottish poem by Robert Burns - the lyrics are amazing, and the melody will take you back to the middle ages. A true Traffic classic.
My dad played harmonica. He fought in WW II and Korea and was in the Navy. He'd play harmonica on deck to pass the time in between assignments. Basically taught himself how to play then. Harmonica's are interesting in that you need different one's to play in different keys. My dad had 6 different ones plus a larger Super Chromatic harmonica that had a slider control on the side that allowed access to sharps and flats (all twelve notes, rather than just 7 notes)
Thank you for the harmonica love! My dad gave me my first one when I was 8 and I'm 67 now, and this is right up my alley. I play in a blues band. (nothing you've heard of. lol) Want to hear the first rock song harmonica lead I ever learned? Deep Purple - Lazy The song is just awesome on so many levels.
Steve Winwood Was Also In This MUST HEAR Group,, The Spencer Davis Group "Every Little Bit Hurts",, "Gimme Some Lovin",, "I'm A Man" & "Keep On Running"
I saw both Traffic and, later, Blind Faith, live at free concerts in London's Hyde Park as a teenager. It was this sort of music that inspired me to take up the blues harmonica. I've played in many bands over the years and still love this stuff.
Little Stevie Winwood was with The Spencer Davis Group when they had several #1 hits on the UK chart, including KEEP ON RUNNING. Check that out, as well as NOBODY LOVES YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT - then you'll understand why everyone was blown away by a 15 year old English boy who sounded like Ray Charles.
Not only Steve Winwood is a great musician in Traffic. Don't forget Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood. Wood plays later on the Electric Ladyland Album by Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Dave Mason is another on the long list of "most underrated guitarists of all time". Many others will say this: Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is an album worth listening to in its entirety. The title track, Rainmaker, Rock 'n' Roll Stew...a phenomenal album. Steve Winwood and Dave Mason both played on Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album.
I saw Traffic back in the late 60s and 70s. Their albums, 1967 Mr. Fantasy, 1968 Traffic, 1970 John Barleycorn Must Die, 1971 The Low Spark of The High Heeled Boys, 1973 Shootout At The Fantasy Factory, 1974 When The Eagle Flies are excellent albums. The last mentioned is more jazz-influenced. Well actually, jazz elements permeate these albums. If you get the chance, listen to all these albums. You will not be disappointed.
ohhh my goodness ! it was our 42 anniversary yesterday ! perfect wonderful song! you guys r gonna luv it!!!!! Great reaction u 2.... ohh lord wait till you hear The low sparks of high heel boys...... Cheers
Windwood’s B3 work in Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’” is what caused me want to play keyboards way back in the 60s. Stimulated a lifelong love affair with keyboards, leading me inevitably to Wakeman, Emerson, and Jon Lord of Deep Purple.
The Doors first albums were in 1967 - Riders on the Storm was on the LA Woman album released in 1971 and was the last Doors album with Jim Morrison who died 3 months after the release.
Winwood is a multi-instrumentalist. Freaking awesome on the elec guitar. "please don't be sad ... if it was a straight mind you had, we wouldn't have known you all these years"
Manfred Mann's Earth Band As Above So Below ruclips.net/video/d5wbYnqWc90/видео.html Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales & Bombers - As Above So Below (1975) "The title of this album was inspired by a recording made in Surrey, England during the Second World War, by an ornithologist intending to record Nightingales. The bombers flew over at the same time and were recorded by accident. The recording has been incorporated in 'As Above, So Below'". - Manfred Mann 1975[3] (In fact, the recording was made on May 1942 by a BBC sound engineer for the BBC. Intending to capture the nightingale's song he also, by accident, recorded the sound of RAF bombers on their way to attack Mannheim, Germany.)
I have felt for years that the fade out on "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is a shout out to The Kinks "You Really Got Me." I don't know why they would do such, but it is definitely what I hear.
'Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy' is one of my favourite lines! Thanks guys for doing this brilliant song. Now please, please, please react to 'The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys' #nicknlexrequest. Everyone is mentioning it below, as have I quite a few times! Welcome back to the 60's guys, far out and solid!! Thank you for a great reaction as always.
A good double feature would be Spencer Davis Group doing 'I'm a Man' and Chicago doing their 'I'm a Man' cover of it #nicknlexrequest. Steve Winwood was in the 'Spencer Davis Group' before he was in 'Traffic'. Also, another tid-bit. Dave Mason was also in Traffic on the early albums and then left and came back and then left again to do his solo stuff. Dave Mason originally wrote 'Feelin' Alright' #nicknlexrequest while in Traffic, but this song has been covered by many other artists. I'm sure you've heard either Traffic's version on someone's cover version of it. Just another rabbit hole to dive into besides the Steve Winwwod side of Traffic. I hear Alexia is going to do a comedy channel soon😁 Stuck in Traffic, Took a pebble, I'm sure she had a few others I don't recall. Too funny!🤣🤣 Good looks, charm and wit! Nick, you're a lucky man!👍 (plus a budding bassist!)
Love this song and album =) My favorite Steve Winwood song is "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" its slower and almost jazzy ! Glad you discovered Traffic
This song has always sounded like the definitive 60s song to me. They used it in a television movie, Go Ask Alice, from 1974. It was about a teenage girl in the 60s who drifted into the drug/hippie scene. I think this song was the background for one of her trips. The 60s invented rock music (not rock and roll), the 70s just elaborated on it more.
I'm a big fan of their song 'Pearly Queen' as well. First heard it on the 'Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert' album, which captured a show basically thrown together by Pete Townshend (the Who) to welcome Eric back from his struggles with smack. Star-studded lineup, etc. Steve, Pete, Ron Wood. Great stuff. 'Roll It Over', if you can find it. D I think the Pearlies on the streets of London, where I was born, and lived my first year -'56-'57(!) - are what inspired me from a young age to go out in front of our house in Crawley, Sussex and "busk" with a toy steam shovel/excavator as a guitar substitute, singing away like a fool. Canadian guitarist Gordie Johnson's band Big Sugar also did a powerful rendition of 'Dear Mr. Fantasy.'
Another interesting “experiment” which featured Stevie Winwood was Stomu Yamasta’s Go. Also featured Klaus Schultze on synths, and Michael Shrieve from Santana on drums. It’s not a complete success, but a very interesting listen. And would be worth reacting to.
Steve Windwood is still one of my favorite people to see live. I saw his back in the 80s and a few times in the last few years. As it is said all over these comments Low Spark of High Healed Boys is a masterpiece.
Good to see you guys hitting Traffic. I've commented before that the late 60s before progressive, there was psychedelia that naturally evolved into progressive (taking elements of other music, like classical, folk, jazz, experimental, extending the song forms and length, improved musicianship). The British bands seemed to do this better (IMHO) than the American West Coast bands. 1966 - 1969 is the fertile psychedelic period before progressive you should check out. (Obviously besides the Beatles) - Cream, Traffic, Pink Floyd, Procol Harum, Zombies, Moody Blues, The Nice (Keith Emerson's band before ELP), Early Deep Purple, Early Jethro Tull, Early Yes for Americans - the Doors, Love, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, The Byrds, Santana, Vanilla Fudge If you go deeper into Traffic - they have a 60s psychedelic/proto-prog phase (balance between Steve Windwood and guitarist Dave Mason), then a reformed Winwood does immediately after he did Blind Faith (with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker after Cream broke up), then Traffic becomes more jazz-trippy oriented in the 70s. Traffic songs to hit from the three periods: early: Shanghai Noodle Factory, 40,000 Headman, Pearly Queen middle: Glad/Freedom Rider (these two songs run together), Empty Pages later: The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys I think you will really enjoy Glad (kind of like Chicago)/Freedom Rider and Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys (kind of Pink Floydish jams on Dark Side and Wish You Were Here when they include sax) Steve Winwoods vocals and organ, piano playing are phenomenal I would say HENDRIX HENDRIX AND MORE HENDRIX, but sadly, you will get blocked on RUclips. Hendrix is probably the best of the bunch.
Winwood is an incredible musician! I am not sure if he played guitar on the original studio track, but he is more than capable of doing so. There is a link to the live performance at the Crossroads festival where Steve handles the guitar and vocals. A must watch for Winwood fans.
Regarding your observation on the production quality of The Doors...all their albums except LA Woman (I think) were produced by Paul A. Rothchild, who went on in the 70s to produce a few other big acts, again with that sort of clean overall sound -- even when using distorted guitars -- that it became sort of his signature sound. Always enough space to hear everything well, and fit for radio.
I agree with so many who have recommended "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." Jazz-rock-prog fusion with a hypnotic bass line and one of the most crunchy, angry, dissonant final chords in rock history.
Steve Winwood has been a professional singer, musician and songwriter since his mid-teens, and he is still rocking today. Traffic was another of the late 60's Super Group phenomenon, when all the great musicians of the era wanted to play together, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek And The Dominoes, come to mind. For an additional take on this fun song, check out the best cover band ever doing it, the good ol' Grateful Dead.
Recently found your reaction channel. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s so your attraction to music of that era is cool. Your commentary before, in the middle and after is all ways spot on…I can listen to the whole song straight through anytime so keep your thoughts coming, I dig what you think as it is another perspective. Keep it up, eventually you’ll get to Bob Seger, Stevie Ray Vaughan….etc, I’ll be waiting patiently.
Winwood.....Organ,Guitar.Vocals....any thing else he gets his hands on.....Winwood at 17!!!! Wrote "I'm a Man","Gimme Some Lovin'"...when he was in "The Spencer Davis Band".....watch Winwood and Clapton do this Live!!!!!!!!
Steve Winwood was a musical phenom from his teen years. In this song he plated the guitar lead parts as well as vocals. I would highly recommend another song by Traffic "Low spark of high heeled boys", which is mix of jazz and rock and for me there best song.
Definitely a must…….absolute banger!
agree, totally.
That's Dave Mason on Lead Guitar...he left right after the album was released..but came back later for the live album Welcome to the Canteen.
While I love that song (“Low Spark”), and that period, and this song and early period, my favorite album, and period is actually before that, the “middle period” of Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die.
That album, also more jazzy-rocky but also some folkier elements is my absolute favorite Traffic. I could put that album on repeat play and just loop it all day.
But there’s very little bad traffic.
@@bobcorbin3294 Yep, Dave on guitar, and he also survived through the next album, the self titled "Traffic" album which includes some great Mason tunes, especially "Don't Be Sad"! It's one of those great "wonders" I have about what they might have accomplished together. Oh well, we'll never know!
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is brilliant. Steve Winwood is such an amazing talent. Also, Gimme Some Lovin from his time with the Spencer Davis Group.
I'm a Man is great too!
Obvious choice but: Low Spark of High Heeled boys has always been my favorite Traffic song. I do agree that you should hit Spencer Davis to get the whole Steve W. History. He also played on an early and very good Joe Cocker LP.
Gotta do one of the greatest (Traffic or otherwise) songs ever "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys"!
Just the sax intro by Chris Wood is worth listening to this!
I immediately learned it on the home piano as a youth. Such a groove!
True! I love Roll right stones!!!! Rollll right stonnnnnnnnes!!!!
@@vitusdoom Another classic! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollright_Stones
Second that, do Low Spark
When my wife and I saw Steely Dan a couple of years ago Steve Winwood opened the show. Steve plays guitar on this cut. He got standing ovation after nearly song. Try listening to Low Spark of High Heel Boys or Back Pages. Traffic was an incredible band.
I agree Bob Helton, especially regarding The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
What a amazing concert that must have been! Very happy for you.
You mean "Empty Pages". Excellent tune, as well!
Stevie's just so talented, and as this song shows an extremely underrated guitarist. He was a star at the age of 15 in the UK with the Spencer Davis Group. Traffic had many styles but two I'd recommend are The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys from the album of the same name, and John Barleycorn Must Die which has that pastoral, folky vibe to it. It's an old traditional English folk song about cutting barley to make beer. I was lucky enough to see Stevie supporting the Dan in 2019, because he did a relatively short set, every song was a classic. Then to cap a perfect night he came on to sing and play keyboards with them on Pretzel Logic . That's a great double bill with Snarky Puppy. It was you two that introduced me to them when you reacted to Shofukan. Seeing them in October, can't wait.
So glad you are going down the Steve Winwood road once again. Great singer, such a talented musician! Moved around so much, solo work next please. “ Arc of a Diver” or “ Higher Love”. All the things Winwood are fantastic! Love your channel; Been here since the beginning .
Most would agree that Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is their best song
Not me.....IMO it's overhyped. Give me Dream Gerard any day.
I'd vote for "(Sometimes) I feel so uninspired" 😅
You now need to listen to Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Jimi Hendrix was a huge Steve Winwood fan & wanted to be in a band with him. Jimi sought him out to play on Voodoo Child. They went in the studio and crafted it, with Steve on organ. All the legends love Steve.
Dudes, the chronology of Steve Winwood is as follows: Spencer Davis Group >> Traffic >> Blind Faith >> regrouped with Traffic >> solo career + many collaborations throughout the decades!😎
We saw them in 1978 at Winterland in San Francisco. It was such a great show!
Excellent! My favorite Windwood: Traffic (track: “Dear Mr. Fantasy”), Traffic LPs: John Barleycorn Must Die,” and Low Spark of High-Heel Boys” - jazzy vibe but a little repetitive but we didn’t care (tranced out). Also liked his later solo LP: “Arc of a Diver.” And loved Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” and even his later solo pop hits were ok. When Winwood was a teenager, he belted out soulful vocals in the Spencer Davis Group. Very varied sounds from Mr. Winwood. Great reaction. And Thanks Colin. ✨😉
i went to high school from 1972-1975 and this was a party favorite,,,traffic is one of the best bands ever...so much talent in one group.keep em' comin' my rocky mtn friends...love,Kent.
Low spark will blow your mind,especially sax solo,a must listen song!
Yeah! I love Traffic. The Low Spark Album is so good. My favorite track is Many a Mile to Freedom.
The song is written by Jim Capaldi, lyrics and Wood and Winwood the musical part, in 1967. The band then consisted of : Jim Capaldi - drums, percussion, vocals; Dave Mason - guitar, Mellotron, sitar, tambura, harmonica, percussion, bass guitar on "Dear Mr. Fantasy" vocals; Steve Winwood - Hammond organ, guitar, bass guitar, piano, harpsichord, percussion, vocals, arrangements; Chris Wood - flute, saxophone, Hammond organ, percussion, vocals.
Only two components, Dave Manson and Steve Winwood are still alive.. Saludos
Just have to say Stevie Winwood as a 15 year old in the Spencer Davis Group #nicknlexrequest "Gimme Some Lovin' ". You'll love it!
Perfect!
That is good though the Band CHICAGO’s cover blows Steve’s song out of the water!
@@joelliebler5690 They probably weren't fifteen though. :)
@@MisterWondrous Early twenties though Mozart was younger when produced some of his best work.
@@joelliebler5690 I was listening to Genesis' first album the other day, which was pressed when they were in their early 20s. Mind-boggling how precocious some people can be. But for those guys, their education was a large part of it. Such an impressive list of folks went through Charterhouse. While Chicago was a competent band, I don't know that they ever produced a "Close to the Edge", a "Firth of Fifth" or "Supper's Ready", and certainly not an "In the Court of the Crimson King". I was playing trumpet at the time, was growing tired of horns, so there is that.
Dire Straits by throwing down on "trumpet playing bands" might have put a dent in such endeavors, as they seemed to fade. Mozart must have been messing in the medicine cabinet, I figure.
Saw Traffic in the early 90's. They re-formed after years and it was one of the best, most chill concerts I have EVER been to.
Someone has probably mentioned it…but Dave Mason is the guitarist for Traffic and Jim Capaldi is on drums.
There is a blinding live version of this from the 2007 Crossroads Festival, stevie's guitar solo is excellent and the two (yes two) drummers Steve Gadd and Steve Jordan absolutely killed it ruclips.net/video/fmoL-qXAr5o/видео.html , widely regarded as The Best Version Of Mr Fantasy. And the band looked very happy with it as well.
Yes, that performance is amazing, Stevie has the crowd going nuts at the end.
Thanks! That was a wonderful performance!
Steve Jordan currently playing for The Rolling Stones.
You are correct Sir! Yesss!
Yeah, have seen it before but went back for another taste. Excellent. One point - No Steve Gadd! Listed for the performance are Ian Thomas (drums), and Steve Jordan (drums).
Steve is a multi-instrumentalist. He plays piano, organ, guitar, etc. He’s a prolific songwriter and was with Spencer Davis group, Blind Faith, Traffic as well as having a solo career. Check out Gimme Some Lovin’, Valerie, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Roll With It to get a goid idea of his career. We were also disappointed that he wasn’t able to play with Steely Dan on this concert tour. We seen both multiple times.
While Traffic is normally heavy keyboard and sax but , this cut is guitar driven. Windwood can play both keyboards or guitar while singing lead vocal.
4 great musicians: Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Chris Wood ,Jim Capaldi - it""s a family affair
Freedom Rider by Traffic is also an amazing song. That sax line is epic.
Capaldi was a master of the tool.
@@MisterWondrous Wood played the sax, Capaldi the drums. It's all good, man!
@@crimsonking70 Wow thanks. Now I will have to re-visualize the band...or watch a live video maybe. I always pictured him playing sax, for some reason. He seemed more like someone who would be in the front.
@@MisterWondrous in the 70s Traffic touring band he was up front and singing/percussion. Roger Hawkins played drums. He drummed on the albums
@@crimsonking70 Ah. okay thanks! I thought I had seen him up front there, with his blue eyes and chiseled jaw and clean tight beard. He needed to be out front.
A great road song. Imagine driving a long trip and you are getting tired. This slow song picks you up.
Nick and Lex, eventually you have to watch Traffic Live at Santa Monica 1972, an hour long concert. It's on RUclips, without commercials and showcases the musical talents of Steve Winwood. From his great vocals to his excellent work on acoustic and electric guitars and exceptional piano and organ playing, it's all there during these 8 classic Traffic songs.
Saw Traffic back in September 1971 at the Albert Hall in London - with the terrific band Seatrain in support. Saw Stevie Winwood and his band supporting Steely Dan here in Perth several years ago; I was looking for a bass player until I realized that Stevie was not only singing and playing keyboard/organ, but using pedals to play bass. Amazing. And you should here him play lead guitar!
I think you both would love Traffic's Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys.
Great reaction, Stevie was with The Spencer Davis Group, Gimmie Some Lovin', Keep On Running and I'm A Man were all hits. He was just a kid and could sing like Ray Charles (when he wanted to).
Steve on lead vocals, lead guitars, abd all keyboards. He has released albums as a one man band. He was 18 or 19 here.
Jim Cappaldi on drums and Dave Mason on guitar. Super group
I saw Steve W open for Tom Petty - and Steve as warmup blew it away! When Jimi Hendrix went to UK for the first time, he wanted to meet two people - Jeff Beck (another one to listen to!) and Steve Winwood!
He’s crazy good! 🤗
This is one of the great unsung bands from the sixties. That great sound was due to producer Jimmy Miller. Mick Jagger was so impressed with his work that he snatched him up to produce the Stones, and he really improved the quality of their records.
Great air guitar, Lexi!! Y’all are so fun to watch!! Great song!! Be well y’all, and God bless… from Texas!!
Lex: Steve Winwood was "stuck in Traffic"?
I saw The Electric Prunes in concert last night. They really moved me.
The Electric Flag was there too. I salute them.
The Jefferson Airplane played too. They were all so high.
The Rolling Stones gathered no moss.
The Who was on first.
Steve is a multi instrumantalist a real prodigy from his days with Spencer Davis to Blind Faith, to Traffic to solo he's amazing
Finally, thanks for all of your great and sincere reactions. It’s fun vicariously enjoying these classics again through your ears and eyes.
And my favorite Traffic album is definitely worth a reaction, John Barleycorn Must Die. Start with the opening medley: “Glad/Freedom Rider”. But everything on that album is gold for me. “Empty Pages” might be my favorite song from that album and maybe my favorite song by Traffic.
Heck yes! "John Barleycorn" is such a terrific album! I think I'm on my third copy, not sure. I've always loved Traffic and will forever! I really like the "Traffic" album too, when Mason was still around. Great stuff throughout!
@@tommathews3964 agreed. For me, it’s picking the best among best. I even like Welcome To The Canteen
@@RabbiSteve Yes sir, I love the raw feel of "Canteen" that you only get from live stuff! "Last Exit" has some of it too.
I agree with all of them. And "Stranger to himself" and "Mother natures son" are great!
That was fun guys. Love your opening and that monster Lex air guitar! A great song from Traffic. Stay on the Winwood trail, he was everywhere.
You gotta do "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys", my absolute chill song, it is slightly long, but worth every second of flexing on the piano and organ, chef's kiss. I listen as I lounge, know every chord as I do air piano, and sing along. A great jazz tune that gives the drums and the whole band such a great jazz crescendo, absolutely stellar song from my rock past.💙🌺
Good selection! I'm a long-time 60s music fan. For Cream and The Doors, these are my favorite tracks:
Cream - White Room (1968)
Cream - Badge (1969)
Cream - Crossroads (1968)
Doors - Light My Fire (1967)
Doors - Break on Through (to the other Side) (1967)
Doors - Peace Frog (1970)
Any of these would be good for a reaction video!
Please listen to either "Gimme Some Loving" or "I'm a Man" by the Spencer Davis Group. The band was formed in 1963 and Steve Winwood was 14 at that time and was the organist and singer.
Earlier Steve Winwood when he was a teen he and his brother played in the Spences Davis group, He played the keyboards and was the lead singer and wrote two of the group's biggest hits "Gimme some lovin" and I'm a man which Chicago did a compy on their first album During the eighties in his solo career he had hits like Higher Love, What the night will do "If you see a chance" Etc
Omg guys Steve Winwood is amazing! A musical prodigy! If you were to him live flawless! He was 14 when he formed the Spencer Davies group. Definitely an artist to pursue from beginning to now.
Big fan of the instrumental track "Glad". Our college radio station used the opening to Glad as our football broadcast theme.
Frank Zappa - Dupree's Paradise (1973) live ruclips.net/video/qr6mTloYJJs/видео.html
Orchestration: 2 flutes, 2 oboes (2nd = English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, percussion (bass drums, bells, castanets, chimes, cymbals, Chinese cymbals, gong, maracas, marimba, piccolo snare drum, pop gun, slapstick, snare drum, tam-tam, vibraphone, woodblock, xylophone), harp, 2 pianos (= celestas), and strings
“Dupree’s Paradise is about a bar on Avalon Boulevard in Watts at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday in 1964, during the early morning jam session. For about seven minutes, the customers (winos, musicians, degenerates and policemen) do the things that set them apart from the rest of society.”
Zappa’s Varèse-inspired point of reference is apparent in his sheer exuberance with the ringing, clanging, abutting piles of sound he marshals. Zappa takes the opening optimistic tune down the rabbit hole, from which it emerges at times sounding like Gershwin, at others like a serialist’s lost weekend. As for his rhythms, Zappa notes they are in general derived from speech patterns and “should have the same sort of flow a conversation would have.”
Anything off of the, "Overnight Sensation" or his, "Apostrophe" album 🔥🎸
Have always loved his "Spanish Dancer" and "Night Train" from his later solo album "Arc of a Diver". Great album. I believe he plays all the instruments on it.
Thank goodness you're following the Winwood thread! Such a brilliant musician! I really hate having to suggest "singles" as I'm an album oriented person, but some great choices would be: Dave Mason's "Don't Be Sad", "Forty Thousand Headmen" "Glad/Freedom Rider" "John Barleycorn Must Die" "Empty Pages" "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" Capaldi's "Light Up or Leave Me Alone". That's enough for now, but by no means all you should hear! Traffic was a terrific band and a very important one!
Traffic is one of those bands with unquestionable talent and never got enough recognition before Steve Winwood became popular as a solo artist. Please consider playing "John Barleycorn Must Die" - recorded in 1970, but adapted from a 1700's Scottish poem by Robert Burns - the lyrics are amazing, and the melody will take you back to the middle ages. A true Traffic classic.
Traffic's song "Empty Pages" is one step up, and goes nicely with "Mr Fantasy".
My dad played harmonica. He fought in WW II and Korea and was in the Navy. He'd play harmonica on deck to pass the time in between assignments. Basically taught himself how to play then.
Harmonica's are interesting in that you need different one's to play in different keys. My dad had 6 different ones plus a larger Super Chromatic harmonica that had a slider control on the side that allowed access to sharps and flats (all twelve notes, rather than just 7 notes)
Thank you for the harmonica love!
My dad gave me my first one when I was 8 and I'm 67 now, and this is right up my alley. I play in a blues band. (nothing you've heard of. lol)
Want to hear the first rock song harmonica lead I ever learned?
Deep Purple - Lazy
The song is just awesome on so many levels.
Steve Winwood Was Also In This MUST HEAR Group,, The Spencer Davis Group "Every Little Bit Hurts",, "Gimme Some Lovin",, "I'm A Man" & "Keep On Running"
'Traffic on the Road' is a great live album
I saw both Traffic and, later, Blind Faith, live at free concerts in London's Hyde Park as a teenager. It was this sort of music that inspired me to take up the blues harmonica. I've played in many bands over the years and still love this stuff.
Little Stevie Winwood was with The Spencer Davis Group when they had several #1 hits on the UK chart, including KEEP ON RUNNING. Check that out, as well as NOBODY LOVES YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT - then you'll understand why everyone was blown away by a 15 year old English boy who sounded like Ray Charles.
Not only Steve Winwood is a great musician in Traffic. Don't forget Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood. Wood plays later on the Electric Ladyland Album by Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Steve Winwood played on Voodoo Chile on Electric Ladyland and revisited it decades later in live shows with Clapton.
Dave Mason also played on Electric Ladyland
@@davidheiser2225 Dave played acoustic guitar on All Along the watchtower
More Dave Mason from Let it Flow album…
Lots of great Traffic tunes: Colored Rain, Medicated Goo, You Can All Join In, Glad, Empty Pages, Gimme Some Lovin' (live) to name a few.
First time I saw Traffic I was just 18 and I saw them in Naples, Italy when I was in the Navy. 1974.
One of Traffic' best is an instrumental called GLAD. You'll be glad you to the time to listen to it.
I agree the low spark of high healed boys exaclant one of my favorites ove
Dave Mason is another on the long list of "most underrated guitarists of all time". Many others will say this: Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is an album worth listening to in its entirety. The title track, Rainmaker, Rock 'n' Roll Stew...a phenomenal album. Steve Winwood and Dave Mason both played on Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album.
Great recommendations for a marathon.
I saw Traffic back in the late 60s and 70s. Their albums, 1967 Mr. Fantasy, 1968 Traffic, 1970 John Barleycorn Must Die, 1971 The Low Spark of The High Heeled Boys, 1973 Shootout At The Fantasy Factory, 1974 When The Eagle Flies are excellent albums. The last mentioned is more jazz-influenced. Well actually, jazz elements permeate these albums.
If you get the chance, listen to all these albums. You will not be disappointed.
ohhh my goodness !
it was our 42 anniversary yesterday !
perfect wonderful song! you guys r gonna luv it!!!!! Great reaction u 2....
ohh lord wait till you hear
The low sparks of high heel boys...... Cheers
"Spanish Dancer" from Winwood's album Arc of a Diver. Steve did all the instruments on that album.
Windwood’s B3 work in Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’” is what caused me want to play keyboards way back in the 60s. Stimulated a lifelong love affair with keyboards, leading me inevitably to Wakeman, Emerson, and Jon Lord of Deep Purple.
Great reaction to a wonderful song. The air guitar was an unexpected pleasant surprise.
The Doors first albums were in 1967 - Riders on the Storm was on the LA Woman album released in 1971 and was the last Doors album with Jim Morrison who died 3 months after the release.
There's a great live version of this song from around the same time period on the album "Welcome To The Canteen"
Winwood is a multi-instrumentalist. Freaking awesome on the elec guitar. "please don't be sad ... if it was a straight mind you had, we wouldn't have known you all these years"
Manfred Mann's Earth Band As Above So Below ruclips.net/video/d5wbYnqWc90/видео.html
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Nightingales & Bombers - As Above So Below (1975)
"The title of this album was inspired by a recording made in Surrey, England during the Second World War, by an ornithologist intending to record Nightingales. The bombers flew over at the same time and were recorded by accident. The recording has been incorporated in 'As Above, So Below'". - Manfred Mann 1975[3] (In fact, the recording was made on May 1942 by a BBC sound engineer for the BBC. Intending to capture the nightingale's song he also, by accident, recorded the sound of RAF bombers on their way to attack Mannheim, Germany.)
Great intro to Traffic! I know it's been mentioned but I would recommend The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys. Just amazing! #nicknlexrequest
"Low Spark" will knock your socks off.
I have felt for years that the fade out on "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is a shout out to The Kinks "You Really Got Me." I don't know why they would do such, but it is definitely what I hear.
'Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy' is one of my favourite lines! Thanks guys for doing this brilliant song. Now please, please, please react to 'The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys' #nicknlexrequest. Everyone is mentioning it below, as have I quite a few times! Welcome back to the 60's guys, far out and solid!! Thank you for a great reaction as always.
A good double feature would be Spencer Davis Group doing 'I'm a Man' and Chicago doing their 'I'm a Man' cover of it #nicknlexrequest.
Steve Winwood was in the 'Spencer Davis Group' before he was in 'Traffic'.
Also, another tid-bit. Dave Mason was also in Traffic on the early albums and then left and came back and then left again to do his solo stuff. Dave Mason originally wrote 'Feelin' Alright' #nicknlexrequest while in Traffic, but this song has been covered by many other artists. I'm sure you've heard either Traffic's version on someone's cover version of it.
Just another rabbit hole to dive into besides the Steve Winwwod side of Traffic.
I hear Alexia is going to do a comedy channel soon😁 Stuck in Traffic, Took a pebble, I'm sure she had a few others I don't recall. Too funny!🤣🤣
Good looks, charm and wit! Nick, you're a lucky man!👍 (plus a budding bassist!)
Live version of "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" with Chris Wood sax intro is the one you wanna react to...it's a wonderful video. RIP, Chris.
Love this song and album =) My favorite Steve Winwood song is "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" its slower and almost jazzy ! Glad you discovered Traffic
This song has always sounded like the definitive 60s song to me. They used it in a television movie, Go Ask Alice, from 1974. It was about a teenage girl in the 60s who drifted into the drug/hippie scene. I think this song was the background for one of her trips. The 60s invented rock music (not rock and roll), the 70s just elaborated on it more.
I'm a big fan of their song 'Pearly Queen' as well. First heard it on the 'Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert' album, which captured a show basically thrown together by Pete Townshend (the Who) to welcome Eric back from his struggles with smack. Star-studded lineup, etc. Steve, Pete, Ron Wood. Great stuff. 'Roll It Over', if you can find it. D
I think the Pearlies on the streets of London, where I was born, and lived my first year -'56-'57(!) - are what inspired me from a young age to go out in front of our house in Crawley, Sussex and "busk" with a toy steam shovel/excavator as a guitar substitute, singing away like a fool.
Canadian guitarist Gordie Johnson's band Big Sugar also did a powerful rendition of 'Dear Mr. Fantasy.'
Another interesting “experiment” which featured Stevie Winwood was Stomu Yamasta’s Go. Also featured Klaus Schultze on synths, and Michael Shrieve from Santana on drums. It’s not a complete success, but a very interesting listen. And would be worth reacting to.
Di Meola is on that too! Or Go Too! (the second one)
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys next. Great reaction guys, thanks!
Steve Windwood is still one of my favorite people to see live. I saw his back in the 80s and a few times in the last few years. As it is said all over these comments Low Spark of High Healed Boys is a masterpiece.
I missed this one what a classic. Let the good times roll or as Stevia Winwood titled a 90’s solo album. ROLL WITH IT!👍
Good to see you guys hitting Traffic. I've commented before that the late 60s before progressive, there was psychedelia that naturally evolved into progressive (taking elements of other music, like classical, folk, jazz, experimental, extending the song forms and length, improved musicianship). The British bands seemed to do this better (IMHO) than the American West Coast bands.
1966 - 1969 is the fertile psychedelic period before progressive you should check out. (Obviously besides the Beatles) - Cream, Traffic, Pink Floyd, Procol Harum, Zombies, Moody Blues, The Nice (Keith Emerson's band before ELP), Early Deep Purple, Early Jethro Tull, Early Yes
for Americans - the Doors, Love, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, The Byrds, Santana, Vanilla Fudge
If you go deeper into Traffic - they have a 60s psychedelic/proto-prog phase (balance between Steve Windwood and guitarist Dave Mason), then a reformed Winwood does immediately after he did Blind Faith (with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker after Cream broke up), then Traffic becomes more jazz-trippy oriented in the 70s.
Traffic songs to hit from the three periods:
early: Shanghai Noodle Factory, 40,000 Headman, Pearly Queen
middle: Glad/Freedom Rider (these two songs run together), Empty Pages
later: The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys
I think you will really enjoy Glad (kind of like Chicago)/Freedom Rider and Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys (kind of Pink Floydish jams on Dark Side and Wish You Were Here when they include sax)
Steve Winwoods vocals and organ, piano playing are phenomenal
I would say HENDRIX HENDRIX AND MORE HENDRIX, but sadly, you will get blocked on RUclips. Hendrix is probably the best of the bunch.
Winwood is an incredible musician! I am not sure if he played guitar on the original studio track, but he is more than capable of doing so. There is a link to the live performance at the Crossroads festival where Steve handles the guitar and vocals. A must watch for Winwood fans.
Lots of good songs from Traffic. Low Spark, Smiling Faces, and Pearly Queen to name a few.
I'm positive that your folks know 'Traffic'. Ask 'em.👌
Organized chaos is how I describe my garden lol
This should be good! 🤪. Giggles to start!
I was there, that day...as they literally morphed into ONE; NICKLEX. Black tee'd, headphone bobbin', air guitar face.
🇨🇦
Hahahaha!!
Steve was a child prodigy. He could play just about every instrument.
Regarding your observation on the production quality of The Doors...all their albums except LA Woman (I think) were produced by Paul A. Rothchild, who went on in the 70s to produce a few other big acts, again with that sort of clean overall sound -- even when using distorted guitars -- that it became sort of his signature sound. Always enough space to hear everything well, and fit for radio.
I agree with so many who have recommended "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." Jazz-rock-prog fusion with a hypnotic bass line and one of the most crunchy, angry, dissonant final chords in rock history.
Steve Winwood has been a professional singer, musician and songwriter since his mid-teens, and he is still rocking today. Traffic was another of the late 60's Super Group phenomenon, when all the great musicians of the era wanted to play together, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek And The Dominoes, come to mind. For an additional take on this fun song, check out the best cover band ever doing it, the good ol' Grateful Dead.
Recently found your reaction channel. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s so your attraction to music of that era is cool. Your commentary before, in the middle and after is all ways spot on…I can listen to the whole song straight through anytime so keep your thoughts coming, I dig what you think as it is another perspective. Keep it up, eventually you’ll get to Bob Seger, Stevie Ray Vaughan….etc, I’ll be waiting patiently.
Winwood.....Organ,Guitar.Vocals....any thing else he gets his hands on.....Winwood at 17!!!! Wrote "I'm a Man","Gimme Some Lovin'"...when he was in "The Spencer Davis Band".....watch Winwood and Clapton do this Live!!!!!!!!
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic is a must.
I double DARE Alexia to learn a Bass and harmonica song to play in an episode!😉😂