This is a masterpiece from start to finish. Steve Winwod, the vocalist, musician, song writer..iconic voice etc. This one is very jazzy, sometimes he goes very blues, folk, rock, pop. He's a musical prodigy since 8 yrs old, pianist/organist, guitar etc.
@@philjones424 Yes, they sought him out. Jimi Hendrix got him to play on Voodoo Child & wanted to be in a band with him. He's an icon among musicians/vocalists & has played with a wide array of the best.
One of the things I find interesting (and a little frustrating) about how people approach music today is that people (especially younger people) are so hyper focused on notions of "genre". As though every piece of music and every musician needs to be in their proper box. But when listening to music from the early 70s you really have to set the concerns over "what genre is this?" aside and just listen because it was a time of massive change and experimentation and blending of styles. I mean you listen to this which has a heavy jazz influence and realize it would have been played on the same radio stations as Black Sabbath, Elvis Presley and The Jackson Five.
Bingo! Great comment. Genres in pop and rock music were invented by rock critics during the huge explosion of music in the 1960s and, especially, album rock in the 1970s, to make sense of it all. But the labels are theirs, not intrinsic, in any way.
Album oriented rock on FM stations was a joyful introduction to The Allman Brothers Band Live at Fillmore East which music critics alternately called southern rock, blues-rock, jazz etc... Having twin lead guitars and two drummers fascinated my ears. They may be one of the most original of the American bands in that late '60s - early '70s experimentation.
I first heard this song when it was played by a cover band at a high school mixer. I never knew nor found out what it was. Fast forward a year to when I was in college and joined the campus radio station. When I got cleared for my own show (1975), I decided I ought to broaden my music knowledge, so one night a girlfriend and I came down and just started randomly pulling out albums of bands I might have heard of but never heard play. So she pulls out a record and pus it on the turntable. My rule of thumb was to play the title cut because alot of times it was a good way to get a feel for her sounds. So, I dropped the needle in the middle of the song and that refrain played and I jumped out of my skin yelling "THAT'S IT! I was looking for that song for a year." t scared the crap out of her. And I picked her up and gave her a huge kiss.
"And strip me of everything, including my pride, but spirit is something that no-one destroys..." One of my favorite all time lyrics because there's a real element of truth in it. Another master class here. The great Rock heavily influenced by Jazz always gets me.
That is the one line that I always listen for and admire/use as my own personal "Never surrender-Never Give Up" motto too. First heard in the early 70's growing up. Love it!
"The man in the suit just bought a new car from the profits he made on your dreams" resonates with me. Especially when corporate management is trying to convince you to do something that negatively impacts your family or health.
I wonder which came first, Jazz incorporating Rock or vice-versa. I think the former as Miles Davis experimented with this in the mid-60's, but while interesting and at times great I think that Rock incorporating Jazz works and sounds better, more organic and moving.
@@kovie9162 I totally agree, and I'll say Jazz is a good deal older than rock. "Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major form of musical expression in traditional and popular music." So blues and ragtime are older still. I don't think you can point at anything as the advent of rock and roll until the 1950's
One of the first albums I ever bought, and still one of the best. Weird to watch somebody listen fresh to a song we put on a thousand times back in the day. Traffic is utterly new to her, and that's REALLY weird, good work analyzing it - you did it justice!
A favorite video of mine is Steve sitting in front of a big fireplace in an old Tudor Mansion with just an acoustic guitar singing "Can't Find MY Way Home" it's priceless!
Stevie Winwood joined Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Prince and George Harrison's son on stage at the Rock and Roll HOF induction of Harrison for the best performance ever on the HOF stage; "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Check it out.
I've been listening to this song for 43 years, and it never gets old. It's always fun to watch people listening to it for the first time. Amy seems to have enjoyed it right from the start, but one reactor I saw a few years ago started listening to the introduction, frowned as if he felt he made a mistake promising to do his reaction to such a long song that seemed kind of boring, and reluctantly said that he was going to go through with it, but you could see his expressions changing as the song started to grow on him, and by the end, he was thoroughly impressed and wished it went on longer.
Well done, Vlad. The 70s were probably the most varied period of rock music. Everyone still dared to do their own thing and the producers still allowed that and were not so much afraid to lose money. I enjoyed this piece and the reaction very much.
I love the lyrics "the percentage you're paying is too high a price, while you're living beyond all your means, and the man in the suit has just bought a new car, from the profit hes made on your dreams"!!!
In 2011, he played this song as a piano solo during the Clapton/Winwood(Blind Faith) Reunion Concert. Didn't think he could pull it off w/o backing of Chris Woods' sax. Boy was I wrong. By the time he finished I'd b lying if I said I didn't have a tear in me eye. Beautiful rendition. Clapton wasn't ½ bad either. 1 of my best concert experiences. 🥲😃👏👍🏻✊️ Rite on, dudes & dude-ets!
I would cut off a finger to experience hearing this song for the first time again. This is just a masterpiece made by masters of their art at the top of the game. ❤
I had the pleasure of seeing Traffic at the Winterland Ballroom in SF, in 1972. They played this song and it was amazing. The whole concert was amazing. I think I grew up in the best of times for rock music.
I actually wore out this album I played it so much, and had to buy a new one. Then when I was converting my collection to CD, of course I had to buy it in that format. And now I have it on my music hard drive. It's been in regular rotation for me for 50 years now.
@@mattpobursky850hey at the end the last two chords are those dissident because they both sound similar but just different in tone? Sorry I'm just learning
She starts a little hesitant and doubtful but comes on to the sound as soon as Steve comes in. Oh so many memories for me, including the beautiful woman who first introduced me to it more than 50 years ago. I really enjoy hearing a reaction to music from a compositional viewpoint. A very different framing than you get from singers.
Great choice! And well said, Vlad. SHA and My Sharonna to represent the 70s? You just have to laugh. And yes, Amy. You can spend 50 years in the 70s music world and still not get the whole picture. You can spend 50 years in the prog rock of the 70s, alone. That is your natural sweet spot.
I suspect they were chosen with an agenda, something like this "most rock music before Rush and prog metal was kinda simplistic y'see". Personally I like(d) those two songs, because they have that real drive and that rock music is all about.
I agree completely. I wonder why no Yes, Gentle Giant, King Crimson or Van der Graaf appeared at this point. At least we had Genesis as a first step. And of course Pink Floyd (but no the best representative of prog).
Vlad- the Wall was from the 70s too. So, yeah, Carl was misdirecting Amy, wasn’t he? Someone needs to tell Amy there was a lot of Jazzy Rock in the 70s and Rocky Jazz. Check out Steely Dan, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Chicago - especially the first disc of Chicago 7, some of Paul Simon, and from the other side George Benson and Mile Davis.
I love seeing her smile and move while she’s listening. You can tell that she’s really enjoying it. Also, not to sound snobbish, but this song sounds better on vinyl.
Back when they first started with the digital compression, they hurt a lot of music. Now, my ears are no longer good enough to tell the difference. Whether they ever got it right I will never know.
"...this song sounds better on vinyl" is like saying "this hamburger tastes better char-broiled rather than microwaved". As if, ALL burgers don't taste better char-broiled! :)
I’ve been impressed lately with Apple Music’s so-called ‘lossless’ format. When available, the sound quality is better than both vinyl and many CDs, IMO. Will see if they have it for this song …
Some Yes is coming, as hinted by Amy on another video. I’m intrigued about what that first piece will be, your suggestion would be an excellent choice to start with for sure.
Stevie Winwood, who began his career at the age of 16 with the spencer Davis group is behind traffic. He was a major force in pop rock music from the late 60s. Onward
At school in the 60's we used to have a class called 'musical appreciation' for classical music. All these years later it is so fascinating to me Amy with your enthusiastic observations to be able to listen to tracks such as this with a new perspective.
I've never thought of Traffic as a stereotypically Rock band. Steve Winwood, the driving force in Traffic, was always an experimentalist and his music freely drifted across multiple genres. This piece definitely leaned heavily toward jazz but his music can also sound poppy and rock/blues. Listen to the band Blind Faith (with legends Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker) and you'll get a much rockier vibe.
Blind Faith....one of my favorite groups! Saw them in Honolulu at their last concert on their only tour. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. Band was great but Steve Winwood impressed me the most. Wrote, arranged, played and sang on most of the songs. On the extended dual guitar solo on "Had to Cry Today" he more than kept up with Mr Clapton. I sat in the 1st balcony behind the stage and could see everything they were doing. As a drummer that's the best place to be.
It sounds like the whole thing was recorded live in the studio. Reminds me of Miles Davis/bill Evans “ Kind of Blue” era jazz. Lyrics sound like an artist relationship with management. This style of rock is like Grateful Dead or the Band and lots more. Great listen to a song I would have recommended. Thanks Virgin Rock.
Although Steve Winwood wrote the basic musical structure it was Jim Capaldi who wrote the lyrics. Would've been interesting if it had been sung by Jim instead of Steve
Well, recording was limited, way back then. So a lot of bands that had multiple instruments did have to sort of record live. They had way fewer tracks to mix back then. They used studio musicians way more often back in the day. They were very professional and could play basically as a live band over and over and over. Even rock bands would use studio guys, if the regular players they had could not get it right for the album.
@@robinblackmoor8732 I agree 100%. If the band was experienced as a live act and well rehearsed they would generally just record live in studio maybe overdub a vocal and bring in a session player or two. None of this “fix it in the mix” stuff back then.
Ah, the 'conversational' nature of this piece. The conversation is a wonderful hallmark of great bands, be they Rock, Jazz, Blues, and their variants and combinations. The most fun I have had listening and playing music is when when the players minds/hearts/souls lock together and play without consciously thinking about what to play and it becomes a conversation. Like a good conversation, the key is listening to the others. 🎸😎
It is such a privilege to have your reactions. You are amazing not only for your educated , brilliant understanding of music and theory but you are so exquisitely sensitive to the music. You are just lovely.
The joy on your face when you find a particular segment you like is truly heartwarming! Thank you for giving some of these older gems a new listen! After hearing your reaction (the entire reaction), I feel I have better understanding of the musicality of the piece. Thank you Amy
I was always a fan of Steve Winwood, and his time with Traffic, but when I first heard this, I thought "WHAT am I hearing?!!" This is my all-tim favorite Traffic song of all time. This - to me - is more reflective of the eclectic 70's than "My Sharona" ever could be (no dig there). You're right Amy, "One little baby step at a time".
This is a song that will play in your head for weeks after listening to it. That will particularly be the case for Amy as she gives it several more listens doing her deep dive.
The lead singer and keyboardist is Steve Winwood, who began his career at 16 yrs old with The Spencer Davis Group ("Gimme Some Lovin'"), played in 'supergroups' Blind Faith and Traffic, as a session musician with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Billy Joel and others. He continued on to a successful solo career playing in the jazz, R&B and rock/pop genres. At (soon to be) 75 yrs old, he continues to play and perform to this day.
It is such a joy watching you listen to, and describe what you are hearing from a musician's point of view. Your descriptions are so vivid and insightfull. This is a time period in music that I grew up in. Thank you for what you are doing. As a singer-songwriter, and producer of my own music it gives me inspiration that I can add to my own efforts. I'm always looking forward to what you do next.
Spot on. I wonder what Carl thinks of this drum track. To me, it's beautiful drumming by a guy who's listening to what the other band members are doing, and giving his interpretation of what the song is through his playing.
Amy, I am happy you are hearing and enjoying another 70s band, while at the same time doing a progressive rock band. I think this late 60s to the early 80s era, along with the progressive genre, are the sweet spot of the songs you have seemed to enjoy the most and find most interesting. This includes these bands that you have already done: Genesis, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Rush, and now Traffic. And you will soon be adding YES to the list. And the non-progressive 70s bands you have enjoyed or found interesting include: Boston, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Deep Purple, and a few others. And there are still many great late 60s and 70s bands you haven't heard to yet.
I can see from your facial expressions you really enjoyed this and I'm only 5 minutes in. This song is a masterpiece. It fits so many different genres. But my favorite is psychedelic jazz. It's Spacey as hell
Great reaction! I discovered this song when I was a teen mid 70's. It was my first introduction into music that wasn't pop or hard rock. It would lead me to discover a whole other world of great music. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Same here. We had a progressive rock station in Birmingham, WRKK or K99, that I discovered a lot of great music on during that time. This seemed to be one of those late night songs that I remember listening to cruising on a Saturday night or sitting in a dark room lit only by the glow from one of the great old sound systems.
We know this song well as a 70's radio charting hit but it never dawned upon me how much of a Jazz song this is...with a solid blues rock chorus. I know a lot of Traffic's music but I really don't know much about the band. I may be dis-servicing the other band members, but to me Traffic is Steve Winwood. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a fantastic writer and music maker, he was there, in the mix, of those early Brits who started the British rock legend. He is well respected and very well liked among people in the music world, has many industry friends. In the early to mid 80's he revived with a solo career, I believe 2 albums from which many "hit singles" were pulled. Here he disappointed, it was very commercial, all synth pop hit songs, but yes, for 2 or 3 years, every 4 months there was yet another Steve Winwood hit song in the charts. As Amy remarks on the fade-in intro, contrast that to label music of today. Label executives begrudgingly listen to music people telling them that a song must have an intro but 7 seconds max is what you get, then we must hear voices singing or we will not promote the song. They claim that people just don't have more attention span, which is non-sense. To me, this is a great song choice for Amy. Well done.
You're right, you could spend years in the '70's. It often gets reduced to disco and punk, and there was so much more going on. Prog rock, heavy metal, country rock, soul, funk, new wave, just to name a few genres. Bands like Traffic, which started out playing psychedelic music, later evolving into jazz. ELP, King Crimson and Yes, which were influenced by classical music. Zeppelin, the Stones and the Faces, continuing the blues influence from the '60's. Even if you look at top 40 pop, there was a great deal of diversity.
This is such a cool song. There was a lot going on in the 70's. I think Amy might also enjoy Yes and Steely Dan. I know that she'll hate the Sex Pistols, but I really want to see that.
The "Rock Umbrella" is very wide spread. As a first person experience during those times we would listen to music on albums and just sit and go thru the entire album because they usually told a story. Either lyrically, musically, or emotionally. Rock listeners were not binary, either rock or nothing. We had eclectic tastes and were always looking for something new. This, like some others of that time, was a sound that was not being played on the radio, in a club, or any mainstream venue. You had to want to find it. Then more and more people heard it and wanted it and then it was a classic. I enjoy your videos very much I love your desire to be open to something new and enjoy it for its complexities. Much as we did back in the day!
I haven’t heard this in a while. The first time I heard it I played it about eight times. It is really a musical journey. Very warts and all with magical episodes. It feels like it never finishes it just fades out like a puff of smoke. Really, really cool.
Oh thank you so much for bringing this song. Has been one of my absolute favorites for years. I listen to it while working in the studio, it makes me want to dance while I’m creating. Now I understand why! Thank you again for explaining the music to me
Supertramp is another group from the 70s that put some intelligence into their music. "Dreamer" from the album "Crime of the Century" is a good one to listen to.
Anything but "Dreamer." I just listened to "Crisis.." today and every song on that album, as well as the other seven on "Crime" are stronger and more interesting. "Child of Vision " from Breakfast with Rick and Roger trading lines in the chorus would be an interesting breakdown.
Excellent reaction! Done this way, with your informed opinions so well expressed, can help people appreciate & receive more joy from the music. Keep it up! And thnk u
Well, now I know what this song is called! (It's from just a couple years before I started really paying attention to bands.) And I hear some of their influence in Steely Dan.
Traffic is their own genre, a stew of Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Folk and Psychedelic elements into a sound all their own. Dear Mister Fantasy was their biggest rock hit and live it took on a life of its own. Saw them twice, was in awe both times of these musical savants, amongst the best and most interesting of their era. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎷🎶
You might be interested in the book Never a Dull Moment: 1971 The Year That Rock Exploded by David Hepworth. He starts in January and digs into the major releases of each month of that year to support his thesis that this was THE year that rock really took off.
I think I see what you're doing Vlad, so Traffic I consider a rock band with jazz influences, and I think your next pick will be a jazz band with rock influences, namely Steely Dan. Outstanding pick, Traffic is one of my absolute favorites.
Great song. I see your harp. My wife's friend plays classical harp with a group called Polyphonic Spree. He played at our wedding and it is one of most beautiful music I have heard.
My first time seeing you. As much as I have always loved this song, and Stevie, you have pointed out some things I never noticed before. Thank you! It's interesting to see how some focus on instruments, some on lyrics, some on composition, and some a combination of those.
I remember when this song came out. My cousin bought the record and rode his bike 2 miles to my house to play it because I had gotten a quadraphonic stereo for my birthday. We played the entire album without talking, just taking it all in. Then played it a second time while we talked about what we liked best.
I love the perspective of instruments having a conversation with each other...one of my first albums from early 70's, and still a favorite today. Winwood was a genius and a prodigy....still is.
Love this song, one of Traffic's best---and that's saying a lot, since it's an amazing group. Steve Winwood is an absolute, multi talented genius. Great choice!
Steve Winwood is considered a rock child prodigy- he was a session artist supporting Jazz and Blues legend Ray Charles at age TEN when Charles toured the UK,, learned from his father who was a jazz and dance hall musician, joined his older brother's band and wrote top hits by age 16, with a career spanning to 60s through the late 80s as a rock/jazz/pop artist and then since the 90s doing new jazz. He was in Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith with Eric Clapton for a 1-album "super group", before forming Traffic, than having a solo career in the 80s working in "World Music" and pop. He is a top-notch keyboardist, guitarist and of course vocalist
Steve Winwood is a musician for the ages. He was 16 when he wrote and performed the Spencer Davis Group's first hit, "Gimme Some Lovin'" and also penned SDG's last, "I'm a Man." Winwood wrote "Dear Mr Fantasy" while he was with SDG but they refused to play it, prompting him to leave the group and form Traffic. Winwood's "40,000 Headsmen," with its eerie flute accompaniment, is unforgettable and "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" never fails to send chills down my spine, even 52 years later.
Maybe new for you, but here's something you need to hear: The Grateful Dead, "Eyes of the World" August 6th 1974, Live at Roosevelt Stadium New Jersey. An utter masterpiece of inspired improvisation in front of a huge crowd. Audio quality is magnificent as well. Audio track is on TH-cam if you type the above it should pop right up..
I haven't watched it yet but, I'm floored. So glad you chose this. I've been wanting to cover this forever! My band rehearsed it a couple times. It's not there, yet.
Since you're in the 70s, you need to look into Brian Auger's work with The Trinity, and the Oblivion Express. As mentioned before, you also need to listen to Caravan's Virgin on the Ridiculous.
Traffic was the definition of eclectic style - so much variation. Compare this track to "Rock and Roll Stew" from this album, or "John Barleycorn Must Die" from the Traffic album of the same name. Low Spark was influenced by the uniquely English Canterbury Scene. If you like this track, check out Caravan, Camel, Soft Machine, Hatfield and the North for more of the Canterbury Scene. Caravan's "In the Land of Grey and Pink" is one of my favorites.
So nice to see you enjoying music again. Was going to suggest this a while back but wasn't sure how the 11+ minutes would work for you, but very, very happy to see that smile return. Would absolutely love to get your reaction to Marvin Gaye's After The Dance.
I love your illustration of the "conversation". Genre categories are always limiting, i.e., jazz, rock, etc. it is hard to absolutely pin down any of that in a lot of "pop" or "contemporary", as everything is drawn from the wellspring of the bits and pieces of the past. Kudos to the teamwork between Vlad and yourself as well!
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This is a masterpiece from start to finish. Steve Winwod, the vocalist, musician, song writer..iconic voice etc. This one is very jazzy, sometimes he goes very blues, folk, rock, pop. He's a musical prodigy since 8 yrs old, pianist/organist, guitar etc.
This is a Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood song, as many Traffic songs.
And he played with some of the best.
@@philjones424 Yes, they sought him out. Jimi Hendrix got him to play on Voodoo Child & wanted to be in a band with him. He's an icon among musicians/vocalists & has played with a wide array of the best.
And he was only 23 when this came out
Winwood was 15 when he recorded “I’m a Man” with the Spencer Davis Group, and 21 when he recorded the first traffic album.
One of the things I find interesting (and a little frustrating) about how people approach music today is that people (especially younger people) are so hyper focused on notions of "genre". As though every piece of music and every musician needs to be in their proper box. But when listening to music from the early 70s you really have to set the concerns over "what genre is this?" aside and just listen because it was a time of massive change and experimentation and blending of styles. I mean you listen to this which has a heavy jazz influence and realize it would have been played on the same radio stations as Black Sabbath, Elvis Presley and The Jackson Five.
Also there are very few trained musicians creating today’s popular music.
You sir or madam nailed it . Excellent
Bingo! Great comment. Genres in pop and rock music were invented by rock critics during the huge explosion of music in the 1960s and, especially, album rock in the 1970s, to make sense of it all. But the labels are theirs, not intrinsic, in any way.
Album oriented rock on FM stations was a joyful introduction to The Allman Brothers Band Live at Fillmore East which music critics alternately called southern rock, blues-rock, jazz etc... Having twin lead guitars and two drummers fascinated my ears. They may be one of the most original of the American bands in that late '60s - early '70s experimentation.
Well said! Thank you.
I first heard this song when it was played by a cover band at a high school mixer. I never knew nor found out what it was. Fast forward a year to when I was in college and joined the campus radio station. When I got cleared for my own show (1975), I decided I ought to broaden my music knowledge, so one night a girlfriend and I came down and just started randomly pulling out albums of bands I might have heard of but never heard play. So she pulls out a record and pus it on the turntable. My rule of thumb was to play the title cut because alot of times it was a good way to get a feel for her sounds. So, I dropped the needle in the middle of the song and that refrain played and I jumped out of my skin yelling "THAT'S IT! I was looking for that song for a year." t scared the crap out of her. And I picked her up and gave her a huge kiss.
A classic song that doesn't get enough praise these days. I always loved this song. Great reaction.
"And strip me of everything, including my pride, but spirit is something that no-one destroys..." One of my favorite all time lyrics because there's a real element of truth in it. Another master class here. The great Rock heavily influenced by Jazz always gets me.
Agreed. One of my favorite lyrics. This was a staple in my high school band. I loved singing this one.
That is the one line that I always listen for and admire/use as my own personal "Never surrender-Never Give Up" motto too. First heard in the early 70's growing up. Love it!
"The man in the suit just bought a new car from the profits he made on your dreams" resonates with me. Especially when corporate management is trying to convince you to do something that negatively impacts your family or health.
I wonder which came first, Jazz incorporating Rock or vice-versa. I think the former as Miles Davis experimented with this in the mid-60's, but while interesting and at times great I think that Rock incorporating Jazz works and sounds better, more organic and moving.
@@kovie9162 I totally agree, and I'll say Jazz is a good deal older than rock. "Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major form of musical expression in traditional and popular music." So blues and ragtime are older still. I don't think you can point at anything as the advent of rock and roll until the 1950's
One of the first albums I ever bought, and still one of the best. Weird to watch somebody listen fresh to a song we put on a thousand times back in the day. Traffic is utterly new to her, and that's REALLY weird, good work analyzing it - you did it justice!
Steve Winwood is one of the finest holistic composers/musicians to come out of the strongest rock/jazz/pop eras '60-'80-- and still going strong.
A favorite video of mine is Steve sitting in front of a big fireplace in an old Tudor Mansion with just an acoustic guitar singing "Can't Find MY Way Home" it's priceless!
I love thinking of him, in the studio with Spencer Davis Group, at age 16… singing “I’m A Man.”
Stevie Winwood joined Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Prince and George Harrison's son on stage at the Rock and Roll HOF induction of Harrison for the best performance ever on the HOF stage; "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Check it out.
I've been listening to this song for 43 years, and it never gets old.
It's always fun to watch people listening to it for the first time. Amy seems to have enjoyed it right from the start, but one reactor I saw a few years ago started listening to the introduction, frowned as if he felt he made a mistake promising to do his reaction to such a long song that seemed kind of boring, and reluctantly said that he was going to go through with it, but you could see his expressions changing as the song started to grow on him, and by the end, he was thoroughly impressed and wished it went on longer.
Traffic was a band of prodigies that sold records in the rock marketplace. Very sophisticated music.
I can only cry and smile at the same time, watching your face as Wynwood and the band is laying the groove on thick. It's so enjoyable!
Vlad -- keep giving her talented artists like these ones.
One of the greatest songs of all time, without doubt! 😊😊😊😊
You should listen to some Steely Dan. they are the masters of rock and jazz fusion. The album "Aja" is fantastic.
Much more of this and we are going to be shocked to hear that Amy has run away and joined a rock band
First she needs to hear Yes. Then she can find Jon Anderson to play some harp duets. 😄
Well done, Vlad. The 70s were probably the most varied period of rock music. Everyone still dared to do their own thing and the producers still allowed that and were not so much afraid to lose money. I enjoyed this piece and the reaction very much.
Can you imagine any producer allowing Winwood's hand-clapping into the mix, nowadays? And that is one of the things that is most memorable.
And they were talented and it was live humans not computers
You're gonna love Steely Dan
The sixties are the richest seam to mine. It’s where it all happened.
I love the lyrics "the percentage you're paying is too high a price, while you're living beyond all your means, and the man in the suit has just bought a new car, from the profit hes made on your dreams"!!!
Stevie recently recorded this again with just him and a piano, it’s just as amazing as the original and his voice is still as strong as ever!!!
Amy and Vlad have a link to this solo recording from Steve's home studio as an aside from the original.
I wouldn't mind hearing that.
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In 2011, he played this song as a piano solo during the Clapton/Winwood(Blind Faith) Reunion Concert. Didn't think he could pull it off w/o backing of Chris Woods' sax. Boy was I wrong. By the time he finished I'd b lying if I said I didn't have a tear in me eye. Beautiful rendition. Clapton wasn't ½ bad either. 1 of my best concert experiences. 🥲😃👏👍🏻✊️ Rite on, dudes & dude-ets!
I would cut off a finger to experience hearing this song for the first time again. This is just a masterpiece made by masters of their art at the top of the game. ❤
It’s such a brilliant song. It feels new and astonishing every time I hear it.
That's probably why we're all here...
I had the pleasure of seeing Traffic at the Winterland Ballroom in SF, in 1972. They played this song and it was amazing. The whole concert was amazing. I think I grew up in the best of times for rock music.
I agree, but keep that finger. You may need it to create your own music.
Oh no that would definitely NOT be worth it..
I actually wore out this album I played it so much, and had to buy a new one. Then when I was converting my collection to CD, of course I had to buy it in that format. And now I have it on my music hard drive. It's been in regular rotation for me for 50 years now.
I bought it on cassette in 1984 just for the title track. Found out I actually liked some of the other songs even more.
That dissident cord at the end sent shivers down my spine the first time I heard it. A fine example of Jazz fusion.
When someone asks me of an example of dissonance in music I always play the end of this for them. It's glorious.
I don't know much as far as music theory (I'm learning) but that chord at the end has to be "dissident chord 101"?
@@mattpobursky850hey at the end the last two chords are those dissident because they both sound similar but just different in tone? Sorry I'm just learning
@@jaymusic9039 That's a pretty good way to describe it... yeah.
@@mattpobursky850 thanks I appreciate it
i am 68, when we listened to it in the 70's we did not analyze it, we toked up a few joints and enjoyed it
Vastly under-rated band , when FM was young late night extended plays of Traffic were so favored ...Steve Winwood is tremendous as always !
She starts a little hesitant and doubtful but comes on to the sound as soon as Steve comes in. Oh so many memories for me, including the beautiful woman who first introduced me to it more than 50 years ago. I really enjoy hearing a reaction to music from a compositional viewpoint. A very different framing than you get from singers.
Great choice! And well said, Vlad. SHA and My Sharonna to represent the 70s? You just have to laugh. And yes, Amy. You can spend 50 years in the 70s music world and still not get the whole picture. You can spend 50 years in the prog rock of the 70s, alone. That is your natural sweet spot.
That was that Canadian Drummer choosing those for her to listen to - I daresay for him, the 1970s `are` Lynard Skinard and the Knack!
I suspect they were chosen with an agenda, something like this "most rock music before Rush and prog metal was kinda simplistic y'see". Personally I like(d) those two songs, because they have that real drive and that rock music is all about.
I agree completely. I wonder why no Yes, Gentle Giant, King Crimson or Van der Graaf appeared at this point. At least we had Genesis as a first step. And of course Pink Floyd (but no the best representative of prog).
Vlad- the Wall was from the 70s too.
So, yeah, Carl was misdirecting Amy, wasn’t he?
Someone needs to tell Amy there was a lot of Jazzy Rock in the 70s and Rocky Jazz.
Check out Steely Dan, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Chicago - especially the first disc of Chicago 7, some of Paul Simon, and from the other side George Benson and Mile Davis.
@Miranda K Not to mention he didn't show her any of the real good rock from the 2000's. I bet she'd love Welcome to the Black Parade.
Been hooked on this song since I was like eight. Sitting in the back of the car, riding in the country on summer nights.
The late, great drummer Jim Gordon’s lazy feeling groove is genius! R.I.P. James Beck “Jim” Gordon, July 14, 1945 - March 13, 2023.
Probably one of the earliest uses of jazz fusion in a rock context. This song is such a vibe.
The 60s and 70s are so rich in rock music
I love seeing her smile and move while she’s listening. You can tell that she’s really enjoying it. Also, not to sound snobbish, but this song sounds better on vinyl.
Back when they first started with the digital compression, they hurt a lot of music. Now, my ears are no longer good enough to tell the difference. Whether they ever got it right I will never know.
"...this song sounds better on vinyl" is like saying "this hamburger tastes better char-broiled rather than microwaved".
As if, ALL burgers don't taste better char-broiled! :)
Yeah I hate that digital compressed sound. It sounds like it's coming through a fast running fan.
I’ve been impressed lately with Apple Music’s so-called ‘lossless’ format. When available, the sound quality is better than both vinyl and many CDs, IMO. Will see if they have it for this song …
An analysis of prog rock group Yes, and their track 'Starship Trooper', would be a nice addition to this channel.
Some Yes is coming, as hinted by Amy on another video. I’m intrigued about what that first piece will be, your suggestion would be an excellent choice to start with for sure.
I am not sure she can handle hearing YES. It might be too much for her.
@@robinblackmoor8732 ?? lol
@@robinblackmoor8732 Prophetic.
Stevie Winwood, who began his career at the age of 16 with the spencer Davis group is behind traffic. He was a major force in pop rock music from the late 60s. Onward
One of the greatest sustained ending chords in the history of music.
Um... The final cadence in the slow song movement of Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, anyone? 😏
At school in the 60's we used to have a class called 'musical appreciation' for classical music. All these years later it is so fascinating to me Amy with your enthusiastic observations to be able to listen to tracks such as this with a new perspective.
One of my pillars of songs that shaped my life. Steve Winwood is really underrated as a icon of the era and beyond.
I've never thought of Traffic as a stereotypically Rock band. Steve Winwood, the driving force in Traffic, was always an experimentalist and his music freely drifted across multiple genres. This piece definitely leaned heavily toward jazz but his music can also sound poppy and rock/blues. Listen to the band Blind Faith (with legends Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker) and you'll get a much rockier vibe.
And Traffic bassist, Rick Gretch
Just don't listen to Ginger interviews. What a prick.
Blind Faith....one of my favorite groups! Saw them in Honolulu at their last concert on their only tour. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. Band was great but Steve Winwood impressed me the most. Wrote, arranged, played and sang on most of the songs. On the extended dual guitar solo on "Had to Cry Today" he more than kept up with Mr Clapton. I sat in the 1st balcony behind the stage and could see everything they were doing. As a drummer that's the best place to be.
It sounds like the whole thing was recorded live in the studio. Reminds me of Miles Davis/bill Evans “ Kind of Blue” era jazz. Lyrics sound like an artist relationship with management. This style of rock is like Grateful Dead or the Band and lots more. Great listen to a song I would have recommended. Thanks Virgin Rock.
Although Steve Winwood wrote the basic musical structure it was Jim Capaldi who wrote the lyrics. Would've been interesting if it had been sung by Jim instead of Steve
@@montag4516 I didn’t know that. Maybe there is a demo somewhere with Jim singing.
Well, recording was limited, way back then. So a lot of bands that had multiple instruments did have to sort of record live. They had way fewer tracks to mix back then. They used studio musicians way more often back in the day. They were very professional and could play basically as a live band over and over and over. Even rock bands would use studio guys, if the regular players they had could not get it right for the album.
@@robinblackmoor8732 I agree 100%. If the band was experienced as a live act and well rehearsed they would generally just record live in studio maybe overdub a vocal and bring in a session player or two. None of this “fix it in the mix” stuff back then.
Ah, the 'conversational' nature of this piece. The conversation is a wonderful hallmark of great bands, be they Rock, Jazz, Blues, and their variants and combinations. The most fun I have had listening and playing music is when when the players minds/hearts/souls lock together and play without consciously thinking about what to play and it becomes a conversation. Like a good conversation, the key is listening to the others. 🎸😎
It is such a privilege to have your reactions. You are amazing not only for your educated , brilliant understanding of music and theory but you are so exquisitely sensitive to the music. You are just lovely.
The joy on your face when you find a particular segment you like is truly heartwarming! Thank you for giving some of these older gems a new listen! After hearing your reaction (the entire reaction), I feel I have better understanding of the musicality of the piece. Thank you Amy
I always knew this song was a masterpiece !
Thanks my friend for explaining why, well done !!!
This is Steve Windwoods master piece and to see you loving it like this fifty years later is wonderful. Thank you.
I was always a fan of Steve Winwood, and his time with Traffic, but when I first heard this, I thought "WHAT am I hearing?!!" This is my all-tim favorite Traffic song of all time. This - to me - is more reflective of the eclectic 70's than "My Sharona" ever could be (no dig there). You're right Amy, "One little baby step at a time".
This is a song that will play in your head for weeks after listening to it. That will particularly be the case for Amy as she gives it several more listens doing her deep dive.
The lead singer and keyboardist is Steve Winwood, who began his career at 16 yrs old with The Spencer Davis Group ("Gimme Some Lovin'"), played in 'supergroups' Blind Faith and Traffic, as a session musician with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Billy Joel and others. He continued on to a successful solo career playing in the jazz, R&B and rock/pop genres. At (soon to be) 75 yrs old, he continues to play and perform to this day.
He did play at Howling Wolf London Sessions and George Harrison Homonym album too.
" Dear Mr. Fantasy " Is another Traffic gem. Give it a go sometime. Great reaction and analysis, Amy.
It is such a joy watching you listen to, and describe what you are hearing from a musician's point of view. Your descriptions are so vivid and insightfull. This is a time period in music that I grew up in. Thank you for what you are doing. As a singer-songwriter, and producer of my own music it gives me inspiration that I can add to my own efforts. I'm always looking forward to what you do next.
OK, that final chord played by Steve on the organ is what makes the song for me. Incredible voicing from an incredible musician!
The late Jim Gordon's drum track on this is sublime.
Spot on. I wonder what Carl thinks of this drum track. To me, it's beautiful drumming by a guy who's listening to what the other band members are doing, and giving his interpretation of what the song is through his playing.
If I’m not mistaken the late great Jim Gordon played drums for the album when this song came out. He just passed away. Truly a troubled soul
Traffic was an awesome band. It was really incredible to be able to see them live opening for the Grateful Dead in 1994, their only tour since 1974!
That was a fantastic pairing, indeed!!
I love so much that we're starting to see some head bopping out of ya! The music is getting into your bones 🙂
I do enjoy the way this lady dissects and interprets what she's hearing.
always...ALWAYS!!!!! turn thr volume up!
Amy, I am happy you are hearing and enjoying another 70s band, while at the same time doing a progressive rock band. I think this late 60s to the early 80s era, along with the progressive genre, are the sweet spot of the songs you have seemed to enjoy the most and find most interesting. This includes these bands that you have already done: Genesis, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Rush, and now Traffic. And you will soon be adding YES to the list. And the non-progressive 70s bands you have enjoyed or found interesting include: Boston, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Deep Purple, and a few others. And there are still many great late 60s and 70s bands you haven't heard to yet.
And don't forget Steely Dan!!!
Can't wait for her to react to some ELP
And Gentle Giant.
@@Hartlor_Tayley I would had add that one too… on first place.
@@Rowenband yeah can’t do a list of English bands without Gentle Giant, I think they were from Birmingham like traffic and many others.
I can see from your facial expressions you really enjoyed this and I'm only 5 minutes in. This song is a masterpiece. It fits so many different genres. But my favorite is psychedelic jazz. It's Spacey as hell
Great reaction! I discovered this song when I was a teen mid 70's. It was my first introduction into music that wasn't pop or hard rock. It would lead me to discover a whole other world of great music. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Same here. We had a progressive rock station in Birmingham, WRKK or K99, that I discovered a lot of great music on during that time. This seemed to be one of those late night songs that I remember listening to cruising on a Saturday night or sitting in a dark room lit only by the glow from one of the great old sound systems.
We know this song well as a 70's radio charting hit but it never dawned upon me how much of a Jazz song this is...with a solid blues rock chorus. I know a lot of Traffic's music but I really don't know much about the band. I may be dis-servicing the other band members, but to me Traffic is Steve Winwood. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a fantastic writer and music maker, he was there, in the mix, of those early Brits who started the British rock legend. He is well respected and very well liked among people in the music world, has many industry friends. In the early to mid 80's he revived with a solo career, I believe 2 albums from which many "hit singles" were pulled. Here he disappointed, it was very commercial, all synth pop hit songs, but yes, for 2 or 3 years, every 4 months there was yet another Steve Winwood hit song in the charts.
As Amy remarks on the fade-in intro, contrast that to label music of today. Label executives begrudgingly listen to music people telling them that a song must have an intro but 7 seconds max is what you get, then we must hear voices singing or we will not promote the song. They claim that people just don't have more attention span, which is non-sense.
To me, this is a great song choice for Amy. Well done.
One of my favorites!! Thanks so much!
You're right, you could spend years in the '70's. It often gets reduced to disco and punk, and there was so much more going on. Prog rock, heavy metal, country rock, soul, funk, new wave, just to name a few genres. Bands like Traffic, which started out playing psychedelic music, later evolving into jazz. ELP, King Crimson and Yes, which were influenced by classical music. Zeppelin, the Stones and the Faces, continuing the blues influence from the '60's. Even if you look at top 40 pop, there was a great deal of diversity.
This is such a cool song. There was a lot going on in the 70's. I think Amy might also enjoy Yes and Steely Dan. I know that she'll hate the Sex Pistols, but I really want to see that.
Yes and Steely Dan are my two favorite bands, but this is definitely a solid work of art.
Agree with Steely Dan. They are, like Traffic, part of the rock genre but have a very jazzy feel. Aja or Kid Charlemagne would be good choices.
I think this song and Loggins and Messinas' "Angry Eyes" are two of the best songs from the early 70's. Love your analysis on this piece.
Excellent comparison.
My goodness! 'Tis time for some Yes (Close, etc) and Uriah Heep (Salisbury)! Also, Traffic did a great cover of John Barleycorn!
The "Rock Umbrella" is very wide spread. As a first person experience during those times we would listen to music on albums and just sit and go thru the entire album because they usually told a story. Either lyrically, musically, or emotionally. Rock listeners were not binary, either rock or nothing. We had eclectic tastes and were always looking for something new. This, like some others of that time, was a sound that was not being played on the radio, in a club, or any mainstream venue. You had to want to find it. Then more and more people heard it and wanted it and then it was a classic. I enjoy your videos very much I love your desire to be open to something new and enjoy it for its complexities. Much as we did back in the day!
I haven’t heard this in a while. The first time I heard it I played it about eight times. It is really a musical journey. Very warts and all with magical episodes. It feels like it never finishes it just fades out like a puff of smoke. Really, really cool.
You will become familiar with Steve Winwood, he was icon back in the day, and still is, he sounds exactly the same
Winwood developed his voice listening to Blues from the USA. There is an early video on TH-cam from his teen years.
Oh thank you so much for bringing this song. Has been one of my absolute favorites for years. I listen to it while working in the studio, it makes me want to dance while I’m creating. Now I understand why! Thank you again for explaining the music to me
Supertramp is another group from the 70s that put some intelligence into their music. "Dreamer" from the album "Crime of the Century" is a good one to listen to.
Anything but "Dreamer." I just listened to "Crisis.." today and every song on that album, as well as the other seven on "Crime" are stronger and more interesting. "Child of Vision " from Breakfast with Rick and Roger trading lines in the chorus would be an interesting breakdown.
I’d much rather see her analyze “School”.
Let's just say anything by Supertramp.
I would argue for "Rudy" or "Even in the Quietest Moments"
I love "oh darling" by them. Such a cool jam.
Excellent reaction! Done this way, with your informed opinions so well expressed, can help people appreciate & receive more joy from the music. Keep it up! And thnk u
Well, now I know what this song is called! (It's from just a couple years before I started really paying attention to bands.) And I hear some of their influence in Steely Dan.
Traffic is their own genre, a stew of Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Folk and Psychedelic elements into a sound all their own. Dear Mister Fantasy was their biggest rock hit and live it took on a life of its own. Saw them twice, was in awe both times of these musical savants, amongst the best and most interesting of their era. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎷🎶
Their own genre. Yes.
1971 was the best year in rock album releases. Many of the greatest albums came out that year.
You might be interested in the book Never a Dull Moment: 1971 The Year That Rock Exploded by David Hepworth. He starts in January and digs into the major releases of each month of that year to support his thesis that this was THE year that rock really took off.
Top 10 favourite songs of all time.
I think I see what you're doing Vlad, so Traffic I consider a rock band with jazz influences, and I think your next pick will be a jazz band with rock influences, namely Steely Dan. Outstanding pick, Traffic is one of my absolute favorites.
I love lots of old rock guitar bands but the B3 solo to end this song is my No1 favorite. Up loud or with headphones it's just amazing.
I've always loved this song.
It never feels 11 minutes long.
Great song. I see your harp. My wife's friend plays classical harp with a group called Polyphonic Spree. He played at our wedding and it is one of most beautiful music I have heard.
What a GREAT choice!!!
My first time seeing you. As much as I have always loved this song, and Stevie, you have pointed out some things I never noticed before. Thank you!
It's interesting to see how some focus on instruments, some on lyrics, some on composition, and some a combination of those.
I remember when this song came out. My cousin bought the record and rode his bike 2 miles to my house to play it because I had gotten a quadraphonic stereo for my birthday. We played the entire album without talking, just taking it all in. Then played it a second time while we talked about what we liked best.
Thank you. This album came out in a mmm time of great turmoil in my youth, and I have always loved it.
I love the perspective of instruments having a conversation with each other...one of my first albums from early 70's, and still a favorite today. Winwood was a genius and a prodigy....still is.
My favourite song done by this channel so far, by a country mile.
Those smooth transitions are just part of what makes 70s rock the best era, in my opinion. Can't wait for you to hear YES.
I have listened to this track for many years and yet you are opening my eyes and ears!
Love this song, one of Traffic's best---and that's saying a lot, since it's an amazing group. Steve Winwood is an absolute, multi talented genius. Great choice!
Steve Winwood is considered a rock child prodigy- he was a session artist supporting Jazz and Blues legend Ray Charles at age TEN when Charles toured the UK,, learned from his father who was a jazz and dance hall musician, joined his older brother's band and wrote top hits by age 16, with a career spanning to 60s through the late 80s as a rock/jazz/pop artist and then since the 90s doing new jazz. He was in Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith with Eric Clapton for a 1-album "super group", before forming Traffic, than having a solo career in the 80s working in "World Music" and pop. He is a top-notch keyboardist, guitarist and of course vocalist
Just got back from Vietnam when this came out Glad I made it back to hear this.
Steve Winwood is a musician for the ages. He was 16 when he wrote and performed the Spencer Davis Group's first hit, "Gimme Some Lovin'" and also penned SDG's last, "I'm a Man." Winwood wrote "Dear Mr Fantasy" while he was with SDG but they refused to play it, prompting him to leave the group and form Traffic. Winwood's "40,000 Headsmen," with its eerie flute accompaniment, is unforgettable and "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" never fails to send chills down my spine, even 52 years later.
Thanks for this one Vlad.
This music was made for you to listen to while you were on an acid trip ! The only way to really feel the music!
Maybe new for you, but here's something you need to hear: The Grateful Dead, "Eyes of the World" August 6th 1974, Live at Roosevelt Stadium New Jersey. An utter masterpiece of inspired improvisation in front of a huge crowd. Audio quality is magnificent as well. Audio track is on TH-cam if you type the above it should pop right up..
I haven't watched it yet but, I'm floored. So glad you chose this. I've been wanting to cover this forever! My band rehearsed it a couple times. It's not there, yet.
Since you're in the 70s, you need to look into Brian Auger's work with The Trinity, and the Oblivion Express. As mentioned before, you also need to listen to Caravan's Virgin on the Ridiculous.
yes!
Traffic was the definition of eclectic style - so much variation. Compare this track to "Rock and Roll Stew" from this album, or "John Barleycorn Must Die" from the Traffic album of the same name. Low Spark was influenced by the uniquely English Canterbury Scene. If you like this track, check out Caravan, Camel, Soft Machine, Hatfield and the North for more of the Canterbury Scene. Caravan's "In the Land of Grey and Pink" is one of my favorites.
It's just great music. The sax is out of this world.
i love the time changes going on!!!
Very nice, you should try Yes, or Emerson,Lake and Palmer or The Moody Blues. Would fit your style of analysis and showcase the 70's.
So nice to see you enjoying music again. Was going to suggest this a while back but wasn't sure how the 11+ minutes would work for you, but very, very happy to see that smile return. Would absolutely love to get your reaction to Marvin Gaye's After The Dance.
I love your illustration of the "conversation". Genre categories are always limiting, i.e., jazz, rock, etc. it is hard to absolutely pin down any of that in a lot of "pop" or "contemporary", as everything is drawn from the wellspring of the bits and pieces of the past. Kudos to the teamwork between Vlad and yourself as well!