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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Despite not even charting in the band's native England, this album became a platinum-selling American hit on the basis of three enduring FM radio staples--the expansive, jazzy impressionism of the near-12 minute title track, and the more straightforward funk of the R&B charmers "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" and "Rock & Roll Stew." Those disparate tracks perfectly underscore Traffic's rich musical appeal and its restless, sometimes problematic creative and interpersonal relationships. With now thrice-departed Dave Mason out of the mix and percussionists Jim Gordon and Reebop Kwaku Baah participating in the studio for the first time, the band's innate musicality truly takes wing. Winwood's familiar vocal phrasings nearly take a backseat to his fluid, dramatic guitar work on "Rock & Roll Stew Roll" and "Many a Mile to Freedom," while the Tull-ish, folk-madrigal sensibilities of "Hidden Treasure" and "Rainmaker" are further punctuated by Chris Wood's deft flute and woodwind flourishes. Compared with the more organic John Barleycorn album, the contrast is all the more remarkable. While many contemporary bands were experimenting with various attempts at fusion, few achieved this collection's rock-jazz-folk-R&B range or level of often subtle sophistication. Digitally remastered, this edition also contains the six-minute-plus U.S. single version of "Rock & Roll Stew, Parts 1 & 2" as a bonus track. --Jerry McCulley
Product Description
Steve Winwood and the band delivered a stellar set of songs on this 1971 LP, from the funky hit Rock & Roll Stew-Pt. 1 to the Capaldi-penned Light Up or Leave Me Alone to the sprawling title gem.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
93 of 102 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
LOW SPARK was Traffic's best album, and one of the best of the whole great '65-'75 period. I know there are those partial to JOHN BARLEYCORN, but it's not as consistent. What you have here is perhaps the most purely realized expression of the counterculture's dream -- a glimpse of utopia, through the haze, at twilight, or late at night...
"Hidden Treasure" is the gateway, complete with mystical flute from Chris Wood. The brilliant title track is the first vision, and it ruled the underground airwaves for months with piano and spacey organ! There's an element of tension with the mainstream -- "the man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he's made on your dreams" -- but the Man loses! He's done in by "The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys," the power of the dreamers, who are building a new world in the ruins of the old.
The other two visionary tracks are "Many a Mile to Freedom," with ringing guitar ("together we flow like the river -- and together we melt like the snow") and "Rainmaker" with a long instrumental coda, and all four are by the Winwood/Capaldi songwriting team. The drummer and bass player actually team up for a fine funky number, "Rock & Roll Stew," with Winwood on wicked guitar and the refrain "I'm gone, gone, gone!" Capaldi's "Light Up" got lots of airplay, and it's a great song, but it doesn't really fit in the album -- I often program it first, or out, so as not to disrupt the flow.
This music takes me back to 1971/72, and through that door to an alternative and much better future! "Spirit is something that no one destroys..." The dream lives on...
REST IN PEACE, JIM CAPALDI! YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED!
"Hidden Treasure" is the gateway, complete with mystical flute from Chris Wood. The brilliant title track is the first vision, and it ruled the underground airwaves for months with piano and spacey organ! There's an element of tension with the mainstream -- "the man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he's made on your dreams" -- but the Man loses! He's done in by "The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys," the power of the dreamers, who are building a new world in the ruins of the old.
The other two visionary tracks are "Many a Mile to Freedom," with ringing guitar ("together we flow like the river -- and together we melt like the snow") and "Rainmaker" with a long instrumental coda, and all four are by the Winwood/Capaldi songwriting team. The drummer and bass player actually team up for a fine funky number, "Rock & Roll Stew," with Winwood on wicked guitar and the refrain "I'm gone, gone, gone!" Capaldi's "Light Up" got lots of airplay, and it's a great song, but it doesn't really fit in the album -- I often program it first, or out, so as not to disrupt the flow.
This music takes me back to 1971/72, and through that door to an alternative and much better future! "Spirit is something that no one destroys..." The dream lives on...
REST IN PEACE, JIM CAPALDI! YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED!
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
First released in November 1971: "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" is the most popular release by this great band. Centered by the nucleus of: Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi & Chris Wood and with the assistance of: Ric Grech, Jim Gordon & Reebop Kwaku Baah. The opening cut: "Hidden Treasure", is a acoustic gem with the flutes of Chris Wood gliding over Steve's heartfelt vocals. 'Treasure' is an most amazing tune that crosses lines between folk & jazz. "Low Spark" sounds much better on this remaster, the bass is more fully defined than the LP, and other instruments spring forth out of the mix with new sound clarity.
The title cut, might be the best merger of rock & jazz, featured on ANY record. The piano explores many moods and discovers much color and textures. The percussion and sax, just seem to soar here above the rest of the instruments. "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" is an mature piece of music that got the most attention on FM Radio of all the tracks on this record, and it deserves all of the praise it has gotten of the years.
"Light Up" is Jim Calpaldi's, showcase and it is the closest thing here to R & B. Jim, is in fine voice here and this was popular in dance clubs in the UK, back in the 80's (in a much longer mix.) "Rock N' Roll Stew" was a single (and the full single version can be found here as a bonus track, with the seldom heard part 2 included.) Again, this one features Jim on vocals and is considered the 'rock' number of the bunch, it's punchy & pulsating. "Many a Mile To Freedom" is almost a return to the band's sound of 67-69, gentle guitars and Chris Wood's flutes set the tone, and Steve shines again on an fantastic vocal here. "Rainmaker" wraps things up, and like the opener: "Treasure" due to it's dreamlike quality. This amazing record, closes out the way it began with folk and more than a touch of jazz and lot's of style. To list the best records of the 1970's: "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" would rank high in the Top-20.
This record is one of the great ones. Newly remixed, and sounding much better than ever before.
Five Stars !!!
The title cut, might be the best merger of rock & jazz, featured on ANY record. The piano explores many moods and discovers much color and textures. The percussion and sax, just seem to soar here above the rest of the instruments. "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" is an mature piece of music that got the most attention on FM Radio of all the tracks on this record, and it deserves all of the praise it has gotten of the years.
"Light Up" is Jim Calpaldi's, showcase and it is the closest thing here to R & B. Jim, is in fine voice here and this was popular in dance clubs in the UK, back in the 80's (in a much longer mix.) "Rock N' Roll Stew" was a single (and the full single version can be found here as a bonus track, with the seldom heard part 2 included.) Again, this one features Jim on vocals and is considered the 'rock' number of the bunch, it's punchy & pulsating. "Many a Mile To Freedom" is almost a return to the band's sound of 67-69, gentle guitars and Chris Wood's flutes set the tone, and Steve shines again on an fantastic vocal here. "Rainmaker" wraps things up, and like the opener: "Treasure" due to it's dreamlike quality. This amazing record, closes out the way it began with folk and more than a touch of jazz and lot's of style. To list the best records of the 1970's: "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" would rank high in the Top-20.
This record is one of the great ones. Newly remixed, and sounding much better than ever before.
Five Stars !!!
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If only there was one! This 1971 release from Traffic does everything right without ever once becoming overbearingly heavy. From the very first track, "Hidden Treasure" which is driven by Chris Wood's winsome flute and Steve Winwood's plaintive wail, you know you're in for something extraordinary.
And extraordinary it is! The title track is nearly twelve minutes of a blissful cool jazz/rock jam with just enough hipness to keep anyone listening to it from looking like a total coffee house beatnik. "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" is the late Jim Capaldi's excellent bluesy rocker with catchy pop riffs and some great keyboard fills, while "Rock 'n' Roll Stew" is one of the best pure rave rockers ever written and laid down in a studio. It stands as one of my two favorite staples on this classic album. My absolute favorite would be "Many a Mile to Freedom," which has a sweetness and vulnerability all its own without ever catering to whimpiness. "Rainmaker" is my least favorite track, but it's still a good one, and a vital part of the whole enchilada.
LSOHHB is an album you should have in your collection if you are a fan of great classic rock. With a mixture of jazz, blues, soul, and pop influences, it's as potent as a molotave cocktail without the nasty explosion, and there's no bitter aftertaste. Now that's what I call a rock 'n' roll stew.
And extraordinary it is! The title track is nearly twelve minutes of a blissful cool jazz/rock jam with just enough hipness to keep anyone listening to it from looking like a total coffee house beatnik. "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" is the late Jim Capaldi's excellent bluesy rocker with catchy pop riffs and some great keyboard fills, while "Rock 'n' Roll Stew" is one of the best pure rave rockers ever written and laid down in a studio. It stands as one of my two favorite staples on this classic album. My absolute favorite would be "Many a Mile to Freedom," which has a sweetness and vulnerability all its own without ever catering to whimpiness. "Rainmaker" is my least favorite track, but it's still a good one, and a vital part of the whole enchilada.
LSOHHB is an album you should have in your collection if you are a fan of great classic rock. With a mixture of jazz, blues, soul, and pop influences, it's as potent as a molotave cocktail without the nasty explosion, and there's no bitter aftertaste. Now that's what I call a rock 'n' roll stew.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love my purchase
Classic, been looking for this CD forever and finally have it. Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is a classic to say the least.
Published 9 days ago by Andre C. Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great oldie
Filling out the music collection and had to have it. Moody soulful classic. Lyrics are open to multiple interpretations. Who doesn't like a good saxophone and great piano?
Published 2 months ago by Marianne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Band
Everyone in this band was exceptional, of course Steve Winwood is the most popular name and he is fantastic, but Woods on the sax is great, Cappola on the Drums unreal.
Published 3 months ago by R. Garland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Always been a fan of Traffic
Great album, happy to get it again. Had it many years ago and lent it out and never saw it again, now I can listen again! ;)
Published 3 months ago by H. Mannisto
5.0 out of 5 stars
Purchased as a gift.
Even tho I purchased this CD as a gift for a friend, they were blown away by the music. Just like the record she told me. Ha ha. Yep we are 'old'! But the music never dies. Read more
Published 4 months ago by William Wagner
3.0 out of 5 stars
Low Spark
Same as with alot of albums, one good song. We have only listened to this a couple of times. Some times you have to listen to it a few times before you appriciate the music. Read more
Published 4 months ago by leighlew60
2.0 out of 5 stars
Love This Entire Album But...
This particular recording of this all-time classic "Low Spark of High-heeled Boy" contained a strange background track - almost as if there was another recording going on... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Avid Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bringing me back to college
I'm not here to review the audio quality, as all MP3 music never possesses the brilliance & depth of LP music. That said I love listening to music from Traffic. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Aquaboy1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgia
This music takes me back to my college days when I first heard Traffic. Great music for all time. I love Traffic!
Published 6 months ago by V. Schopmeyer
4.0 out of 5 stars
one ofthe all time classics of the seventies
I would like to give it 4 1/2 stars, but I can't give half stars. The reason: 5 star ratings should be reserved for albums like: "Dark Side Of The Moon", "Led Zeppelin IV",... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Stephen Maestas
