John Barleycorn Must Die [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Traffic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Island UK
• ASIN: B00002MHS1
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,070 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Glad

2. Freedom Rider

3. Empty Pages

4. I Just Want You To Know

5. Stranger To Hiimself

6. John Barleycorn (Must Die)

7. Every Mothers Son

8. Sittin' Here Thinkin' Of My Love

9. Backstage & Introduction

10. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring (Live)

11. Glad (Live)

Editorial Reviews

24 bit remastered reissue of the 1970 album by this legendary British psych/ prog rock group that featured Steve Winwood, Dave Mason & Jim Capaldi as members. Features the original cover art, all six of the original tunes and five bonus tracks, 'I Just Want You To Know', 'Sittin' Here Thinkin' Of My Love' and live versions recorded at the Fillmore East in New York City on November 18th & 19th, 1970 of 'Backstage & Introduction', 'Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring' & 'Glad'. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A GREAT TRAFFIC JAM!!, February 3, 2001

By 

Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

Man, was this a departure for Traffic from their previous albums. When I first picked up this album and saw Dave Mason wasn't on it, I was disappointed. Afterall, Mason was the guitar player for the band, and he wrote half their music. I really liked that folk pop sound on their previous self-titled album. And I felt Mason was the one primarily responsible for that sound. But it was obvious Winwood didn't want to go that way, and he and Mason had a fallen out. So that takes us to this album. This was orignally supposed to be a solo album for Winwood. But at the last minute he decided to bring on his old bandmates Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, minus Mason. From the moment I first put the needle to the vinyl, and GLAD came on, well I was hooked big time. This was different than anything I had ever heard before. A band without a true guitar player who could jam and improvise like a jazz band, but still maintain a rock sound. What a way to start the 70's. Glad still remains one of the best instrumental songs I've heard.But the extended jams don't stop there. FREEDOM RIDER comes next with some fantastic creative sax and flute playing by Chris Wood. And then EMPTY PAGES with the most memorable elecric piano solo by Winwood that I've ever heard. Side 2 of the original vinyl did feature guitar. But it was Winwood handling the duties this time. This album was clearly a Winwood vehicle. He also produced most of this album. But he did bring in Guy Stevens, who was one of the best rock producers ever, to produce on STRANGER TO HIMSELF, and EVERY MOTHER'S SON, which has some George Harrison sounding guitar playing along with an extended organ and piano solo going on at the same time. Definitly the Guy Stevens touch, and a good way to close the album. A lot of people don't consider this their best album. But of all the Traffic albums I have, and I've got about all of em, I seem to reach for this one the most.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Rose From Mad Shadows, October 10, 2007

By 

PHILIP S WOLF (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

This was begun as a solo record for Steve Winwood to be entitled: "Mad Shadows". Steve had completed two tracks: "Stranger To Himself" & "Every Mother's Son." All the instruments {including drums} were played by Steve. There is more than one story, but, my favorite is that Steve just missed working with Jim & Chris, and after producer, Guy Stevens departed after the first sessions for this project, (returning to working with: "Mott The Hoople"), Traffic was very much alive once more.

Steve Winwood, Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi had grown as musicians since the break-up of Traffic in early 1969 and this record in it's maturity shows how different their music now was from the 67-69 edition of this great group.

"Glad", with it's jazz/funk groove leaves no doubt that this new music was developed from a jam. But, this is very polished & refined BUT not overdone (as was commom for music of 1970) Steve's, organ and piano just sparkle in the mix featured here, and the flutes & saxophones really make this piece grow into something special. "Freedom Rider" also benefits from the fine sax by Chris (his phasing and that certain note that he 'bends'). "Empty Pages" closed the first side of the LP, and it's the closest thing here to classic Traffic, on this album, this was the track that received the most plays on the FM stations of this era. A bonus track comes next called: "I Just Want To Know." This track is almost a 'throwaway' and it should not dropped intp the middle of the original record as it really messes with the flow of the music. This should have been tacked on at the end of the CD.

Side Two begins with: "Stranger To Himself", and this is a strong rock number with some fine guitar work from Steve. "Stranger" would have made a great addition to the "Blind Faith" album, but it sure is a great addition found here. The title track is the main reason this Record was tagged with this being Traffic's folk-rock album, but I find Traffic's arrangement of this Traditional tune more modern than the versions that you are going to find as recorded by Fairport Convention and/or Jethro Tull. The closer of the original record was: "Every Mother's Son" and it's another fine rocker with a great guitar solo by Steve, that you will find on the fade-out.

This Deluxe Edition has more bonus tracks located at the end of the disc. "Sittin' Here Thinking of my Love" is a studio track that missed inclusion on The original record, it's O.K. but because of time limitations back in 1970's record albums, this one has remained in it's tape tin until now. But, that's not all...At the end we get a taste of what was to been released as: "Traffic, Live November 1970" with a live: "Glad" "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring" and my personal favorite of the bunch: "Backstage & Introduction"...While Bill Graham is introducing the band and the light show, they casn be heard standing in the wings having a VERY INTERESTING conversation, and all of this is included because someone was carrying a tape recorder and captured this golden moment in time for all of us to witness. It is a great little peak into the rock world of 1970 and this is indeed, quite a find!

I'll wager right here that: "John Barleycorn" will see it's next re-issue as a Deluxe 2 CD Set as was already done with the: "Blind Faith" album with more of the Filmore East tapes included. I've only been waiting 36 years to hear that one!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Majestic and moving this is Traffic's finest hour, January 10, 2001

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

Whittled down to a trio Traffic solidered on with their finest album. Although not as catchy or commerical as their first two studio albums, JBMD captures the trio at their best. The music smoothly moves from folk to jazzy instrumentals without breaking a sweat. Winwood's vocals are among his best here. His impassioned vocals on Every Mother's Son bring the album to life.

Originally intended as a Steve Winwood solo album Capaldi and Wood offered their services during the recording of the album. The songs and playing meshed so well that Winwood, Capaldi and Wood decided to revive the Traffic name.

The bonus tracks are a fine addition to this already great album. The sound quality is great. The booklet informative but doesn't suffer from overkill.