The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys by Traffic, released in 1971

Traffic is a band formed in 1967 by musicians of the caliber of Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason. 

Their sound is often based on improvisations, something evident from their very first beautiful album, Mr. Fantasy from 1967 but also in later ones like John Barleycorn Must Die from 1970. The band achieved success in the '70s with a fusion of psychedelic rock with jazz-rock, folk, blues, and rock & roll.

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is their masterpiece and a masterpiece of progressive rock, the high point of Traffic's career, an album that achieved considerable commercial success, largely thanks to the intense radio play of the title track.

The title track is indeed a gem, twelve minutes, great instrumental performance, great complexity, and a magnificent saxophone solo by Chris Wood.
 

But there are many memorable tracks on this album, made of splendid progressive rock with jazz, rock, and folk influences and a melancholic and dreamy atmosphere. Hidden Treasure in fact opens the album with great power with an acoustic folk-soul sound, with exceptional flute and guitar, and the track “Rainmaker” is also excellent, among good tracks like "Rock and Roll Stew" and “Many a Mile to Freedom”

All this is also thanks to the great rhythm section, with the stratospheric percussion of Rebop Kwaku Baah and the drums of Jim Gordon, and not forgetting Rick Grech with his exceptional violin and bass.

Two tracks are sung by Jim Capaldi (Light Up Or Leave Me Alone and Rock & Roll Stew) who had already participated with a vocal accompaniment in Dealer on Mr. Fantasy.

A masterpiece album by Traffic whose tracks require repeated listening to be fully appreciated. 

What atmospheres!!! A great album. A must.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page

Tracklist

1. Hidden Treasure (4:16)
2. The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys (12:10)
3. Rock & Roll Stew (4:29)
4. Many A Mile To Freedom (7:12)
5. Light Up Or Leave Me Alone (4:53)
6. Rainmaker (7:39)

Duration 40:39

LineUp

- Steve Winwood - piano, organ, guitar, vocals (1, 2, 5, 6), producer
- Rick Grech - violin, bass
- Chris Wood - flute, saxophone
- Jim Gordon - drums
- Jim Capaldi - percussion, lead vocals (3, 4) and backing vocals (6)
- Reebop Kwaku Baah - percussion

With:
- Mike Kellie - drums (6)