On the Road is a live album by Traffic.
It was recorded in April 1973 while Traffic were touring Germany to promote the Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory studio album.
By this stage Traffic were playing a jazzy style of progressive rock. I can understand that fans may not like seeing it described as progressive rock because it’s a long way from Welcome Back Your Friends To The Show That Never Ends but I think jazz fans would be more upset to see it described as jazz.
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Songs On Traffic On The Road
- Glad / Freedom Rider – 20:59 (both songs were originally on the studio album John Barleycorn Must Die)
- Tragic Magic – 8:40 (Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory)
- (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired – 10:34 (Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory)
- Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory – 7:04 (Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory)
- Light Up Or Leave Me Alone – 10:48 (The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys)
- Low Spark Of The High-Heeled Boys – 17:52 (The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys)
Three songs from the current album Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory, two from the previous The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and a long improvised medley of two songs from John Barleycorn Must Die show that the band has moved past its days with Dave Mason.
Playing on the album are:
Steve Winwood – vocals, guitar, piano
Chris Wood – flute, saxophone
Jim Capaldi – percussion, vocals, drums
Supported by:
Rebop Kwaku Baah – percussion
Barry Beckett – organ, piano
David Hood – bass
Roger Hawkins – drums
As a teenager in the mid to late 1970s, I couldn’t see the appeal in Traffic. I tried again with the Smiling Phases compilation in my thirties and again didn’t get it. Now I’m in my fifties, I’ve developed a taste for the band and their classy jazz, bluesy, prog rock.
This is a very good live album but I think The Last Great Traffic Jam is even better, even if it doesn’t feature Chris Wood.
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Buying Traffic On The Road
It is available from Amazon.com – Amazon.co.uk – iTunes – eBay
These links will help you get to the albums quickly and easily but I recommend that you still search for the best deal.
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