Traffic, The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (1971)

Saturday morning – as in just yesterday (as I’m writing this) – I purchased the vinyl reissue of this album, kinda on a whim. But also kinda calculated. I’d seen it the week previous and was curious a) because I’d never heard it before and b) because I thought the repackaging with the original corners-cut sleeve was a nice touch and would be a fun thing to have in my collection. It’s not my introduction to Traffic but I can’t say I’ve listened to a lot of their music – as I say I’d never heard this album. I knew the title song from its association with Rickie Lee Jones. And it was a nice experience to sit with a glass of wine and play this album through last night; just me, the record and the room. My glass of wine. Just listening. It could have been a new album from 2011 – but in this case it was an album from 40 years earlier. It was, to me, a brand new album. I imagine I’ll suss out some more Traffic stuff as a result (original albums I mean). And I’m really glad I picked this up. It wasn’t quite what I expected. And at the same time, it was exactly what I expected (well, pretty much). But it reminded me of when I had my ears opened to Spirit, to Todd Rundgren, to Curtis Mayfield – not that it sounds alike in any way, I just mean there’s an interest, immediately, in wanting to hear more from the artist. And you wonder how it is you went so long without crossing paths. So often I play a record by somebody (especially new peeps) and I’ve heard enough with that one thing; all the tricks have been played out. I’ve always been a Steve Winwood fan; funny that I’ve ignored (pretty much) his efforts with Traffic. It was a good impulse splurge. Very happy. And now a welcome part of the collection.

Sample Track: Rainmaker

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown