John Barleycorn Must Die [Vinyl]

Traffic | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (December 9, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B00005LASL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,176 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 Himself

6. John Barleycorn (Must Die)

7. Every Mother's Son

8. Sittin' Here Thinkin' of My Love [#][*]

9. Backstage & Introduction [Live][#][*]

10. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring [Live][#][*]

11. Glad [Live][#][*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Traffic's third studio album is also its third best, ranking below the band's superb second record (1968's Traffic) and its psychedelic debut (1968's Mr. Fantasy). The depth of those albums came from having two superior songwriters, Steve Winwood and Dave Mason; by John Barleycorn, Winwood was leading a trio that included Chris Wood on horns and Jim Capaldi on drums. Winwood now supplied guitar as well as keyboards, and songs like "Glad" and "Freedom Rider" reflected the trio's fondness for instrumental jams. But the 1970 album is remembered most for the title tune, a traditional folk tune blessed with one of the finest vocals of Winwood's long career. --John Milward

Product Description

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this classic album from the British Rock band led by Steve Winwood, originally released in 1970. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Includes four bonus tracks. Universal. 2008. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lost Classic, July 24, 2002

By 

Steven R. Seim "Steve Seim" (Beaver Dam, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

Traffic had one of the most original (and interesting) sounds in British rock, and not only because of their eclectic musical influences, which embraced psychedelia, folk, jazz, soul, R&B, and even classical. Their unique sound was also the result of their unusual instrumentation. While the group went through a number of personnel changes, its constant core members were Steve Winwood (vocals, keyboards, guitars), Chris Wood (sax, flute, and organ), and Jim Capaldi (drums & percussion). With no regular bass player, Winwood often filled in with the bass pedals on his organ. And, while there is no lack of guitars on most Traffic recordings, the guitar is not emphasized or particularly important to the group's sound. Dave Mason came and went in their early years and, on other recordings, Steve Winwood would switch to guitar, with Chris Wood taking over organ duties. In short, Traffic was anything but your typical guitar-bass-drums rock outfit. And, with "white Ray Charles" prodigy Winwood at the helm, and with their willingness to experiment with virtually any sound or musical style, they cut some of the most distinctive and important records in British rock.

"John Barleycorn Must Die" is the only recording by just the Traffic "core" trio, and it is also one of their strongest. With Dave Mason only a memory, and the Blind Faith experiment with Eric Clapton over, Steve Winwood returned to the studio to record his first solo album, originally titled "Mad Shadows." Needing a little musical support, he soon enlisted Capaldi and Wood, and Traffic was reborn with "John Barleycorn." However, the radio-friendly 3-minute song structures were abandoned, as Winwood & Co. stretched out into extended jazz-rock compositions. The instrumental "Glad," in particular, with Winwood's unforgetable piano riff and Wood's fat sax, may be the finest jazz-rock composition ever put to vinyl. In addition, early Traffic's folk-rock was updated by reaching back to medieval England for the title track. With limited, but extremely talented and complementary, personnel, "John Barleycorn" is probably Traffic's most cohesive and focused artistic statement.

To summarize: buy this record!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Despite the loss of Dave Mason, Traffic's masterpiece album, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

After listening to all of Traffic's albums 20+ years removed, and recognizing about 10 percent of their music from my youth, I found John Barleycorn Must Die to be the most complete album offered by the group. There is no doubt that it does not contain the single best songs written by Traffic (e.g., Dear Mr. Fantasy, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, etc), but John Barleycorn approaches that level, and overall the quality of each of the tunes provides the strongest album they have produced. Empty Pages, and Every Mother's Son stand out to me. It is also interesting to discover that the title track John Barleycorn is an adaptation of a song written by the classic Scotch poet Robert Burns of the same title, which elevates it to a classic in its own right. Something in Winwood's style of singing comes from deep in the past, and his selection of John Barleycorn only reinforces this. It is difficult to listen to the album and not spend all day with it playing in my head. There is a place for the flute in rock music a/la Jethro Tull. We all know opinions vary, but this album is one of my all time favorites.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent musicianship, but who is surprised?, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

Traffic is known for excellent musicianship, I am often astounded by the variety of instruments tackled by these men, especially on "Mr. Fantasy." I think that Traffic lost an excellent songwriter and brilliant musician when Dave Mason departed, however, "John Barleycorn Must Die" is an excellent offering and the songwriting has some very high points.

"Glad" is a swinging instrumental track which has an infectious rhythm and showcases the brilliant and vituoso abilities of Winwood on the piano. Capaldi's drumming is sophisticated with excellent synchopations and Chris Wood's saxophones are vocal and expressive. "Empty Pages" falls into a similar category, both songs are jazz thumbed and have incredible backbeats. "Stranger to Himself" is a catchy tune, but the true joy of it is listening to all of the instruments Winwood is playing, he tackles everything, including the drums!

The title track "John Barleycorn Must Die" is a standout for me. It is a departure from the other tracks on the album and from any song the band had recorded to that point. It is a triumph because it is a masterful arrangement and adaptation by Winwood. Wood's flute and the myriad percussion instruments within the song make it an excellent record. Winwood picks with sensitivity and poise on his folk guitar and the vocal harmonies between him and Capaldi embellish the lyric. This song has an obvious effect upon the subsequent Traffic album "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" which is noticeable particularly in the songs "Rain Maker" and "Many A Mile To Freedom." I am impressed with how easily Traffic is able to break new ground and be innovative with their sound.

I recommend this album because it is a departure not only from earlier Traffic albums, but because it is a departure from the popular music of its day altogether. The blending of genres and styles is masterful and worth an attentive ear.