April 22, 2011 Playlist

"Mr. Fantasy" by Traffic (1967)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Traffic  "Mr. Fantasy"  1968 (UK)
We've got another psychedelic classic from a "second tier" UK band this week -- the debut album by the much-acclaimed but not-as-often-heard group Traffic.  The most celebrated member of the band has always been singer/keyboardist/guitarist Steve Winwood, who had previouly been the star of The Spencer Davis Group, and went on to play with Eric Clapton in the supergroup Blind Faith.  The other main songwriter was Dave Mason, a master of quirky sitar-pop, and the original quartet was rounded out by drummer Jim Capaldi and sax/flute man Chris Wood (with Mason & Winwood taking turns on bass in the studio.)  Their first album is a wonderful concoction of rustic Englishness fused with psychedelicized blues and pop.  Though it didn't sell a ton of copies and got very little radio play (especially in the USA), tunes like "Mr Fantasy" and "Coloured Rain" became standards that were covered by countless others.  Their second self-titled album is perhaps even better, but that will have to be a tale for a future CAOTW . . . 
Here's a clip for one of Traffic's first UK singles (released before this album was recorded):   "Paper Sun" which features the original quartet lineup and a vintage "summer of love" sound.  Next here's the classic quasi-title track from this album performed by a later Traffic lineup in 1972: "Dear Mr. Fantasy".  Lastly,  "Pearly Queen" is a tune from their second (equally classic) album, here performed by a reunited group in 1994.  Also on the show this week:  a preview of Austin Psych Fest 2011!
 
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year (label) Country
Styx Put Me On Crystal Ball 1975 USA
Todd Rundgren Ontomontopeia The Hermit Of Mink Hollow 1978 USA
The Moody Blues You And Me Seventh Sojourn 1972 UK
Black Oak Arkansas Lord Have Mercy On My Soul
  / When Electricity Came To Arkansas		 Black Oak Arkansas 1971 USA
Traffic Hole In My Shoe A-side 7" single (Best of Traffic LP) 1967 UK
 
 
Traffic Dear Mr. Fantasy Mr. Fantasy
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1968 UK
Traffic Heaven Is In Your Mind Mr. Fantasy
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1968 UK
Traffic Coloured Rain Mr. Fantasy
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1968 UK
Eric Burdon & The Animals Coloured Rain (Traffic) Love Is 1968 UK
Grand Funk Railroad Feelin' Alright (Traffic) Survival 1971 USA
 
 
The Fresh & Onlys Summer Of Love Play It Strange (N) 2010 (In The Red) USA
The Black Hollies Under A Winter's Spell Casting Shadows 2008 USA
The Black Angels No Satisfaction Black Angel Exit EP 2008 USA
Black Moth Super Rainbow Iron Lemonade Eating Us 2009 USA
Roky Erickson Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog) A-side 7" single
(You're Gonna Miss Me: The Best of Roky Erickson CD)		 1975 USA
  
 
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Lydia Lunch Welcome To My Church
  / Getting Rid Of God
  / Back To The Goddess		 Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Lydia Lunch 2007 USA
Lumerians Calalini Rising Transmalinnia (N) 2011 (Knitting Factory) USA
  
 
Spectrum How You Satisfy Me Soul Kiss (Glide Divine) 1992 UK
Spectrum The Stars Are So Far (How Does It Feel? Forever Alien 1997 UK
Daughters Of The Sun Busted Realm Ghost With Chains (N) 2011 (Not Not Fun) USA
Mike Watt Wheel-Bound-Man Hyphenated-Man (N) 2011 (Clenched Wrench) USA
 
 
Mahavishnu Orchestra Eternity's Breath (parts 1 & 2) Visions Of The Emerald Beyond 1975 UK/USA
The Brecker Brothers Inside Out (live) Heavy Metal BeBop 1978 USA
Weather Report Cucumber Slumber Mysterious Traveller 1974 USA
 
 
Return To Forever Song To The Pharoah Kings Where Have I Known You Before 1974 USA
             
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