Mr Fantasy (UK Mono Version) [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Traffic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1967
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B00004WF68
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,727 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's a rather druggy record, Traffic's debut; in fact, decades later, it's still possible to get a decent contact high off of it. From the stuttering, lyrically ponderous "Heaven Is in Your Mind" to the awe-inspiring psychedelic soul of "Dear Mr. Fantasy," this is Traffic's most reverb-saturated and elliptical release. This 2000 reissue is in mono, but it does finally bring the American and British versions of the record together, so that you get "Paper Sun" and other singles from 1967. Dave Mason-era Traffic was nothing if not eclectic. On Mr. Fantasy, they mix and match the art-prog of Caravan and the goofy psychedelia of Sgt. Pepper's with the mellow groove of Procol Harum, the jazz-blues fusion of Graham Bond with the blues-rock of Cream. All that and sitar, too--not to mention Stevie Winwood's riveting vocals. A sheen of silliness covers at least a third of the album; faux-frumpy songs like "House for Everyone" and "Berkshire Poppies" are not-very-witty vaudeville spoofs that are sung in stuffy British accents. Overall, this is an engaging period piece that makes one give thanks for the Program function on the CD player. --Mike McGonigal

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 1967. 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 five bonus tracks. Universal. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psychedelic masterpiece, but get the US version!!, May 27, 2005

By 

Coleen "frankie-machine" (Down in the alley) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mr Fantasy (UK Mono Version) (Audio CD)

The British version of this CD is called "Mr Fantasy" - it has a superior CD sleeve to the US version, but a lot of it is in badly mixed mono and sounds very flat. The same album is available in the US version under the title "Heaven is In Your Mind" - it is all in stereo, and sequenced much better - makes a BIG difference - and is far superior to the U.K. version. Both versions are great - whichever one you end up with, you're gonna love if you like psychedelic music! Because this album is a psych CLASSIC! I have both versions and I ALWAYS listen to the US version ("Heaven is In Your Mind") because it sounds better and makes more sense the way it is sequenced. I had never even heard of the album until 1 year ago. I investigated this year, and I am SURE GLAD I did!!!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Avoid this...get the US version, "Heaven Is in Your Mind", August 27, 2004

By 

Mike (Youngstown, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr Fantasy (UK Mono Version) (Audio CD)

I don't care about "the artist's intent" in this instance...the UK version of this album is vastly inferior to the U.S. release. I pined for years and years to get the U.S. "Mr. Fantasy" on CD, and my wait was finally rewarded a few years back with the reissue entitled "Heaven Is in Your Mind" (which was the original title of the U.S. release of this album...I've actually seen a copy so-titled on LP, though "Mr. Fantasy" was the more common release).

Never mind that this one has "Paper Sun" as a bonus track...the U.S. version leads off with it and has a much more sensible sequence overall, and the reissue puts the duff tracks from the UK version (e.g. "Utterly Simple") at the end where they can be avoided.

The only virtue this release would have would be the mono mixes, which are probably quite different from the stereo ones as was so often the case in those days.

This has always been one of my favorite albums of all time, but as Stevie says in "Smiling Phases," "Do yourself a favor"...get the U.S. one!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trippy Traffic, March 13, 2004

By 

Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr Fantasy (UK Mono Version) (Audio CD)

Led by the immensely talented Steve Winwood & Dave Mason, the magnificent rock band Traffic said hello to the world with their 1967 debut album, "Mr. Fantasy," a delicious psychedelic supper of flower-power pop/rock (the weird cover photo pretty much says it all about the feel of this album). The organ is prominent throughout, the sitar makes an appearance on a few songs, and there's also a few spoken passages as well. In other words, this is a totally far out record, man! Many Traffic classics populate this disc: the 60's pop of "Heaven Is In Your Mind," the gorgeous ballad "No Face, No Name, No Number," the Traffic signature rockers "Dear Mr. Fantasy," "Dealer," and "Colored Rain," and the groovy instrumental "Giving To You." The drunken ragtime piano number "Berkshire Poppies" is a real hoot, as are the psychedelic pop of "House For Everyone" (complete with wind-up clock intro) and the trippy "Utterly Simple." Also, this new re-issue of "Mr. Fantasy" includes six bonus tracks of songs the band originally released purely as non-album singles, including more Traffic favorites like "Paper Sun" and "Hole In My Shoe." Steve Winwood's voice, guitar & keyboards are outstanding, Dave Mason's voice & guitar are equally strong, Chris Wood plays a mean flute & saxophone, and Jim Capaldi's drumming is superb. Traffic remain one of rock's greatest groups, and they couldn't have had a better intro than "Mr. Fantasy." Great stuff!