Traffic were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason. They began as a psychedelic rock group and diversified their sound through the use of instruments such as keyboards (such as the Mellotron and harpsichord), sitar, and various reed instruments, and by incorporating jazz and improvisational techniques in their music.
Traffic were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Both Rolling Stone in the US and Disc & Music Echo in the UK gave highly positive reviews at the time of release, with the latter calling it "an album of pure pleasure" and declaring Traffic to be "one of the most perfect musical groups in the world."
John Barleycorn Must Die was voted number 369 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums 3rd Edition (2000). It was also included in The MOJO Collection: The Greatest Albums of All Time, which described it as "a magnificent album" that provided "a remarkable showcase" for Winwood's gifts. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Label: Island Records – IMCD 266, Island Records – 546499-2
Series: Island Remasters
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Country: Europe London
Released: 1999
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Blues Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz-Rock, Psychedelic Rock
TRACKLIST:
1 Glad 7:00
2 Freedom Rider 5:30
3 Empty Pages 4:35
4 I Just Want You To Know 1:31
5 Stranger To Himself 3:57
6 John Barleycorn (Must Die) 6:27
7 Every Mothers Son 7:08
8 Sittin' Here Thinkin' Of My Love 3:33
9 Backstage & Introduction 1:50
10 Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring(LIVE) 6:56
11 Glad(LIVE) 11:30
Tracks 4, 8 to 11 are previously unreleased bonus tracks.
Tracks 9-11 taken from the previously unreleased live album LIVE-NOVEMBER 70 (ILPS 9142) recorded at the Fillmore East (New York) on 18th and 19th November 1970.