The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
9 March 2010
5 Comments
4.5
Album 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 1971. 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 one bonus track. Universal. 2008…. More >>
I must confess: I have only listened to the songs other than the title cut one time. I did, just to make sure that there was nothing as groundbreaking on this album,.
The bad news was that there is not. The good news is that T.L.S.O.H.H.B. is a classic, piece of music. It is hard for me to overpraise this song.
Sorry to disappoint; I know this is a poor review. I am not sure why I love this so. But I do. Listen one time and see what I mean.
Rating: 5 / 5
simply a must have CD for your collection.
Rating: 5 / 5
Traffic is one of my all time favorite groups. I really enjoy listening to the cut of “Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys”. It sets the mood for mellowing out. I also like the “Stew”. A great classic rock and roll cd for any collection.
Thanks–CDS
Rating: 4 / 5
This is a great slice of 70′s FM radio, but extended piano solos are not Mr. Winwood’s forte.
Rating: 3 / 5
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.
After regrouping in 1970 on “John Barleycorn Must Die,” Winwood & Co. began experimenting more heavily with jazz-rock. On “John Barleycorn” (especially the instrumental “Glad”), it added a welcome ingredient to their eclectic brew. However, with “Low Spark,” they jumped in with both feet, and Traffic’s sound would never be the same. The title track stretches to an unnecessary 11+ minutes, and the overall sound is limp and uninteresting. Although better than most recordings in the genre, this is the type of aimless noodling that most people think of when they hear the term “jazz-rock.” In fact, the “rock” element is increasingly submerged by this point, resulting in mere keyboard-based acid-jazz or fusion. And, unfortunately, the one track that does not succumb to these problems is musically uninspired and lyrically stupid (“Light Up or Leave Me Alone”).
Furthermore, with “Low Spark,” Steve Winwood took up the annoying habit of singing in a straight English voice, rather than using his unique “white Ray Charles” vocal gifts. The result robs his vocals of their unique soulful power – in fact, his singing here almost sounds like a weak falsetto by contrast. Together with his jazz-fusion experimentation, this vocal change only added to the musically limp sound of later Traffic.
“Low Spark” is probably the Traffic album that most people are familiar with. That’s a crying shame.
Rating: 3 / 5