Traffic's 'John Barleycorn' LP still a rock classic
By GEORGE OSGOOD
Collegian Staff Writer
t'ditor's note: This is the first'in a series
of reviews appearing occasionally of
"classic" record albums those out
' standing records that remain viable
through time and through changing
*musical trends. .
In January, 1969, after two successful
,albums, Traffic split up and its four
members went their separate ways.
Steve Winwood went to short-lived
Blind Faith, then on to Ginger Baker's
Air Force with Eric Clapton. Dave
Mason set out on his own and took
,mummer Jim Capaldi with him. Chris
Wood worked for a time as a session
Ausician, toured with Dr. John and
finally joined Winwood on Air Force.
Eighteen months later Traffic was
bick together, minus Mason, and a new
album heralded their reunion, a truly
unique album that in six years sold more
than four million copies. "John
liarleycorn Must Die" came on the audio
scene with a lot of promotional hype in
front of it, and for once the record
company's claims were substantiated by
aft album that is truly a classic.
The album's lead song is the pleasant,
occasionally brilliant "Glad," an in
strumental track that has been used for
Aerything .from background for high
class skinflicks to
,the theme for the
Hallmark Hall of Fame productions. It
can't really be called rock; it's an un
classified piece highlighting Winwood's
piano and a beautiful saxophone
arrangement performed by Chris Wood.
It:s an easy-going, gently-paced tune
Harry Zimbler
DECEMBER 15,16,17
THE PAVILION THEATRE
FREE TICKETS AT PLAYHOUSE BOX OFFICE
University
Theatre
and the
Dept. of
Theatre
and Film
present
. . . .
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. The International Council and the Third World Coalition
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CURTAIN TIMES 5:20 RM
O'Clock
aywrigfite
Theatre
Neocolonialism in the Caribbean
The Case of Puerto Rico
with a mild jam between Wood and
Capaldi midway through.
"Glad" spirals into what may be the
best song on an album of great ones.
"Freedom Rider" begins with a stun
ning electric sax piece by Wood, cer
tainly the finest rock woodwind player
-ever. Wood moves on to the flute, where
he is no less, outstanding and Winwood,
moving between piano and organ,
provides a secure, polished rhythm line.
record review
Winwood's unstrained, careful vocal
lead grabs at the listener and leads him
through the song's intricate melodies,
through the mini-jams and out again. As
on all early Traffic songs, no single
instrument dominates; instead, per
cussion, flute, saxophone, piano and
organ come together in a beautiful blend
of complimentary sounds. The result is a
rock standard a piece that sounds
every bit as good now as it did six years
ago
"Empty Pages" fills out side one in
fine style. Wood's fluffy, fluttery flute
piece is one of the best on the album. and
Capaldi, the group's leader, is in the
background as always, never greedy
and never failing to provide technically
perfect and occasionally innovative
drum rhythms. Winwood's vocal lead is
above par; sensitive, earnest and ap
pealing.
The second side features two virtuoso
sponsor a panel discussion
cuts by Winwood. On "Stranger to
Himself" and "Every Mother's Son,"
Winwood, through overdubbing, plays
all instruments (except drums) and
provides vocals as well. Both songs are
good but the former is slightly better
than the latter, a cut on which the in
struments don't quite mesh as they
should.
The title song is a traditional English
ballad about "corn and earth and what is
goes through" arranged by Winwood for
flute and acoustic guitar. Traffic's
rendition is flawless, with admirable
self-restraint, in vocals and ac
companiment that allow the song a
modern viability without sacrificing
authenticity. It's pleasing, well executed
and unique this side of Steeleye Span.
The album in sum is nothing short of
superior. It's outstanding not only for the
quality of its compositions and per
formances, but because the guitar, the
instrument that shaped and defined the
rock idiom more than any other, is
present on only two songs and on one of
these it's an almost inaudible bass line.
And the album works magnificently
despite this "shortcoming."
From here, Traffic has gone on to
produce several more high-quality
albums, sometimes in other musical
directions, and has added more mem
bers, including Rick Gretch. But
although 'their subsequent albums have
been generally excellent, (especially
"The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys")
none approaches what the newly
reunited Traffic produced during the
spring and summer of 1970.
,
International Film Series
presents
INGMAR BERGMAN's
THE SEVENTH
SEAL
Thurs., Dec. 16 HUB Ballroom
7:30 & 9:30 Admission $l.OO
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Term breaks and holiday vacations mean that empty student apartments are vulnerable to burglary. Here
are some suggestions avoiding rip-offs:
1. Prepare a list of valuables recording all serial numbers. Articles SHOULD ALSO be inscribed with your
driver license number and state, NOT, REPEAT not, with your Social Security Number. An etching tool for
this purpose can be borrowed from many places including Police Services & the HUB Desk on campus
and from the Police and Chamber of Commerce in town.
2. Secure your sliding glass doors and windows by placing a long piece of wood in the track behind the
sliding portion of the door. Make sure ALL doors are in good working order, and USE THEM!!
3. Arrange to have your mail held, newspapers stopped, or have someone pick them up
4. Beware of suspicious phone calls people calling and hanging up as soon as the phone is answered
especially before term break. •
5. Take valuables with you if you will be gone for a long time
6. Have a close trustworthy friend stay in the apartment, or check it periodically
7. Become familiar with your neighbors and take special notice of strangers, reporting strange behavior
to the police.
If you run into any problems, come to the OTIS office in 20 HUB or call 865-6851.
RHS
North Presents
Vigilante,
city style
judge, jury,
and executioner.
A Paramount Release
DII4O DE LALIRENTIIS
CHARLES
BRONSON
in a MICHAEL WINNER film
lrom rhe novel:CAM WISH" by BRIAN GARFIELD Screenplay by WENDELL MATE:
m . F n. /Ri au ) Produced by HAL LANDERS and BOBBY ROBERTS ..• • •.,
; • , Drected and Co Produced by MICHAEL WINNER
TECHNICOLIM'A Paramount Release ".„ \`• .
105 Forum
Fri. & Sat.
Sunday
Centre Cinema Presents
Fri.-Sun.
7:30 & 10:00
AFTER CHRISTMAS
Pollock - Man Who Fell To Earth North - Three Musketeers
Centre - Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid East - Lenny
West - Murder on the Orient Express South - Bananas
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'John Barleycorn Must Die' is a classic rock album by Traffic
AVOID RIP-OFFS
"DEATH WISH"
$l.OO
7:00, 9:00, 11:00
7:00, 9:00
Alice is 35, Her son is 12.
Together they're running
away from home.
ELLEN BURSTYN
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON IN
DOESN'T UVE HERE
ANYMORE
From WARNER EPOS AWARNER CCMMU\DCATCNS COMNY TED-NatCir
MOVIE TIMETABLE
The Daily Collegian Wednesday, December 15, 1976
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South Cinema
An Arthur P Jacobs Production in association
with Roihns•Joffe Productions
• i.iptAy 111 - AEA II r'S.. SAM"
10 Sparks . $l.OO
Fri. & Sat. 7:30, 9:30, 11:30
Sun day
EITMEE
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MENEM
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7:30, 9:30
108 Forum
$l.OO