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Traffic — Glad
Album: John Barleycorn Must Die
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3252









Released: 1970
Length: 6:57
Plays (last 30 days): 3
(Instrumental)
Comments (258)add comment
 radiofan2 wrote:


WNEW and WMMR were the definition of Progressive Radio!!



Yes! In the 70s in high school I lived at the Jersey Shore in a fringe reception area.  I had 2 highly directional FM yagi antennas. 1 aimed at NYC & 1 aimed at PhIlly with a switch. I used to switch back & forth between sister stations, WNEW & WMMR!!
 Doogie wrote:

Glad/Freedom rider was always one of my favorites in high school 1974


they were for me then, too, and still are 54 years later
 ziakut wrote:

Nice to hear this. Something you'll NEVER hear on regular radio. Then again...who the hell listens to regular radio anymore?


i second that commercial music radio blows chunks 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Hmmm, it's not rock and roll.
It's not really prog.
It's not really jazz.
It's . . . it's . . . Traffic! (and it's excellent)



You just described why the 1970s was the best decade for music.

And poof...its gone. You'll never see it again. 
Hmmm, it's not rock and roll.
It's not really prog.
It's not really jazz.
It's . . . it's . . . Traffic! (and it's excellent)
FYI, www.radioparadise.com does NOT play Traffic to much! I can name a few like Paul Simon, Talking Heads, The Dead and Radiohead, but I quickly learned about the "skip" button so I will do that occasionally and am so happy that button is unlimited!!!  Love the station, I pledge monthly and tell all my friends and on social media.  OH, I forgot, to much Dylan!
just a hint of cowbell ☺️
JUST FUN !!
Whole album is worth revisiting. I've been listening to it a fair amount lately.
 DW4554 wrote:

Steve is godlike all by himself. Stunning jazz-rock manifestation evolving in a 22 year old body.  Major props to Jim Capaldi (drums) who wrote many of the songs.






Many years ago my band supported Steve Winwood at a festival in England.  He was very understanding that we helped ourselves to the beer that was part of his rider (we didn't know - there was a communal backstage area and a barrel of very nice beer, so what is a thirsty band to do?)  Anyway, he was supposed to be playing with a full band but the bass guitar player didn't make it  ... so he played the bass parts on the bass pedals of his Hamnmond.  As a keyboard player myself I was in awe at this - two hands, two feet and singing as well.  What a dude.
 ziakut wrote:

Nice to hear this. Something you'll NEVER hear on regular radio. Then again...who the hell listens to regular radio anymore?


YOU BET!!  I  Agree!!  Thanx RP!  
Nice to hear this. Something you'll NEVER hear on regular radio. Then again...who the hell listens to regular radio anymore?
 eileenomurphy wrote:

Iconic tune! I listened to it in high school, while popular on FM progressive radio. WNEW, NYC, & WMMR Philly!



WNEW and WMMR were the definition of Progressive Radio!!
so great to hear this. how amazing. this was the song that got me hooked on traffic. it's...so great!!
This is why I love RP and my love goes like this: I've never heard said band/song before, and I'm completely gobsmacked and bowled over that life has failed to deliver some incredible musical moment into my orbit before now. I mean c'mon! How could I not have known Glad before now. Life would fail my musical needs deeply if  not for Radio Paradise. Thank you thank you thank you RP. 
I can just imagine some geezer telling these guys when they were kids to go play in traffic, and them saying... "alright."
 Clark_Novato wrote:

My sister was five years older than me and into cool music in the early / mid '70s.  This song brings back a distinct memory of me playing with my hot wheels in my room while she was playing "Glad" in her room next door  I remember interrupting my play and just listening to this groovy song.  It was the inception of my getting into music.




Cool story. Thank You for sharing it.
GREAT TUNE!!  I bought this album, right after it was released. I was 16yrs old. I played the album so much, I had to replace it with a 2nd copy. Brings back memories. Thanx RP!   
 timmus wrote:
My god, what a time for rock music: 1969-1971.
 
It's weird that in spite of this amazing music being made, it was Tony Orlando & Dawn, Anne Murray, and B.J. Thomas that was going to the top of the Billboard charts during that era with less innovative fare.

Sadly in the UK it wasn't played on Radio 1.  It wasn't played on Top Of The Pops. 

You could probably have caught it on The Old Grey Whistle Test (started in 1969 ... Richard Williams followed by the wonderful Bob Harris BBC2 ❤️)  but you'd be surprised just how many people didn't know it existed, so not enough to build a play/sales  base.

First time I saw Tom Petty was on the show, oh wow the hat 👌, wonderful  - saw some terrific bands on there (Led Zep), and solo artists (Lennon). Awesome prog commissioned by the wonderful David Attenborough who was in charge of BBC2 at that time.

Thank you for the music David   ❤️

Oh we used to do a kick-a** version of this! Of course not as good as the original, but it made for a great break song!

The Fins - Glad
 timmus wrote:
My god, what a time for rock music: 1969-1971.
 
It's weird that in spite of this amazing music being made, it was Tony Orlando & Dawn, Anne Murray, and B.J. Thomas that was going to the top of the Billboard charts during that era with less innovative fare.


Yea, but didn't that make us who listened to this amazing music maybe feel a bit special, like we were part of a cool club that not everyone knew about?
Every now and then a brother and I get together and try to kill John Barleycorn.  We burn a lot of Traffic, Zapppa, Beatles, Trower, and, and, and, lots of things that get regular play here.

This is definitely a tenner!
the sound of the pads on the sax... the piano sustain... exquisite recording. 
 grahamdillabough wrote:

Glad you played this!  Haven't heard it in a long while.

(sorry about the pun) 



 itsme_bygolly wrote:

To everybody who may think of the 70's and conjure Disco - THIS!




I Agree!! ...But, actually this was released in the pre-disco era!
To everybody who may think of the 70's and conjure Disco - THIS!
 SnapDragon66 wrote:

Why am I so late in finding out how good this band were?!  Thanks RP!




Better late than never!!   
Why am I so late in finding out how good this band were?!  Thanks RP!
There's a 10...then there's this....10^10
We played for this for years! Always a crowd pleaser!
John Barleycorn is an autobiographical novel by Jack London dealing with his enjoyment of drinking and struggles with alcoholism. It was published in 1913. The title is taken from the British folksong "John Barleycorn". 

The novel's themes include masculinity and male friendship. London discusses various life experiences he has had with alcohol, and at widely different stages in his life. Key stages are his late teen years when he earned money as a sailor and later in life when he was a wealthy, successful writer.

Alcohol plays a big role in facilitating the themes listed above. The book is about the social facilitation of alcohol, but is also a cautionary tale about the addictive powers of alcohol and its deleterious effects on health. London describes the effects of alcohol along both optimistic and pessimistic lines, insisting at some points that it helped him in his developmental process towards becoming a man as he understood the idea and a writer and at other points that it limited in developing him in a healthy way. It remains an important and enduring milestone of his authorial career and of many of the writers of his period, as well as the milestone of many of the social historians of his period. London insisted that historical literature was always more important in his life than alcohol, however.
My god, what a time for rock music: 1969-1971.
 
It's weird that in spite of this amazing music being made, it was Tony Orlando & Dawn, Anne Murray, and B.J. Thomas that was going to the top of the Billboard charts during that era with less innovative fare.
Who is this John Barleycorn gentleman, and why has he been sentenced to summary execution?
 Tjerome wrote:

An easy 10! Loved it in 1970, and still do, 51 years later.




I bought this right after it came out. I used to play it while I was getting ready in the morning for high school. I was 16yrs old.  
 grahamdillabough wrote:

Glad you played this!  Haven't heard it in a long while.

(sorry about the pun) 



so happy
An easy 10! Loved it in 1970, and still do, 51 years later.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
  
 I doubt I could say that every time I hear Traffic I'm reminded of Frank Zappa. They both have guitars, and percussion and keyboards. It's a mystery that what you hear has more than a passing resemblance. Posted 1 year ago by kingart  


I think it's that honking sax that reminds me of Frank in that era....can't remember whether it was Ian Underwood or Napoleon Murphy Brock, but I get the similarities with Traffic.
 Clark_Novato wrote:

My sister was five years older than me and into cool music in the early / mid '70s.  This song brings back a distinct memory of me playing with my hot wheels in my room while she was playing "Glad" in her room next door  I remember interrupting my play and just listening to this groovy song.  It was the inception of my getting into music.



Clark Novato - same here.  Older sibs introduced me to some really cool music early/mid 70s.  At the tender age of 14 one of my favorite songs was Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.  
Traffic was really good at music.
 mrsquid wrote:

Rebop Kwaku Baah



The things you learn at RP.   
How do you play Glad without letting it go into Freedom Rider???!!!!!!  Awwww MANNNNN!!
love the quiet part!
Steve is godlike all by himself. Stunning jazz-rock manifestation evolving in a 22 year old body.  Major props to Jim Capaldi (drums) who wrote many of the songs.





 chinaski wrote:
Man, earlier we enjoyed Maddie Groves, then Glad and I hope something from Cricklewood Green comes up soon. Yay for 1970!!! Just a brief 50 years have passed. My how fly times.
 Matty Groves?
This makes me think of Peaches en Regalia, which would also fit the timeframe.
A little Van der Graaf Generator would likewise do. Good days!

Wow I was working on my blog and had to stop and say "what the heck is this!!" it's sooooo good!
 ger-man wrote:
Was für eine herausragende, einzigartige Band!

Greetings from Bavaria to all the listeners outside. Stay safe.
 
Und Grüße in den Süden!)

PS: Ohne Covid hätte ich rp nicht entdeckt und schätzen gelernt. Gut, dass das Leben nicht nur s und w ist.
Man, earlier we enjoyed Maddie Groves, then Glad and I hope something from Cricklewood Green comes up soon. Yay for 1970!!! Just a brief 50 years have passed. My how fly times.
 Clark_Novato wrote:
My sister was five years older than me and into cool music in the early / mid '70s.  This song brings back a distinct memory of me playing with my hot wheels in my room while she was playing "Glad" in her room next door  I remember interrupting my play and just listening to this groovy song.  It was the inception of my getting into music.

 
Awesome memory. I have wished that I had an older sister that would have clued me into what was going on in music, as I grew up a sheltered oldest child in the '60s and '70s. My only female cousin was four yers older and she did do that for me on occasion, but we lived too far apart. She played Traffic for me and  I was too young to appreciate the genius. When she gave me Deep Purple, Machine Head for Christmas 1972, everything about my life changed. 
 TerrorGovernor wrote:
Need to get me some LSD real quick
 
Hey, man. You got the stuff?
My favorite Traffic song from my favorite Traffic album!  this band is so underappreciated!
Was für eine herausragende, einzigartige Band!

Greetings from Bavaria to all the listeners outside. Stay safe.
My sister was five years older than me and into cool music in the early / mid '70s.  This song brings back a distinct memory of me playing with my hot wheels in my room while she was playing "Glad" in her room next door  I remember interrupting my play and just listening to this groovy song.  It was the inception of my getting into music.

 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
dkliger wrote:
Every time I hear this song it reminds me of Frank Zappa. 

  
 I doubt I could say that every time I hear Traffic I'm reminded of Frank Zappa. They both have guitars, and percussion and keyboards. It's a mystery that what you hear has more than a passing resemblance. Posted 1 year ago by kingart  
 

Iconic tune! I listened to it in high school, while popular on FM progressive radio. WNEW, NYC, & WMMR Philly!
 TerrorGovernor wrote:
Need to get me some LSD real quick
 
Mary Jane works for this too.
Another song I am going to skip got overplayed back when I listened to commercial radio
Perfect for the Beirut traffic !
I'd be OK if I never heard this again... Don't gert me wrong, but there are things that should quietly and gracefuly retire.
This was my teething ring for Jazz/Rock fusion. 
Rebop Kwaku Baah
 TerrorGovernor wrote:
Need to get me some LSD real quick
 
I regret to inform you that the time for this approach to take effect is considerably longer than this tune, although I certainly note that it does linger a bit. You'll need your own source of this tune. Timing is everything. Sorry...
Need to get me some LSD real quick
Love this tune and love the new website.  Well done!
Still hearing Zappa and still really enjoying this number.   

I also hear a bit of Zappa in some of Steven Wilson's work so it could be me.  
I'm in with the in crowd
dkliger wrote:
Every time I hear this song it reminds me of Frank Zappa. 

  
 I doubt I could say that every time I hear Traffic I'm reminded of Frank Zappa. They both have guitars, and percussion and keyboards. It's a mystery that what you hear has more than a passing resemblance. Posted 1 year ago by kingart  
Not sure if BillG's been working on the "Baritone/Tenor" sax songs, but it's been working well for my ears today.  And I say I'm GLAD to have RP in my life....so LONG LIVE IT!!  And PEACE TOO!!
 cptbuz wrote:
Great song to play you have a group of people with kazoos. Alcohol helps.
 
 veloman wrote:
{#Bananajam}No need for alcohol. It’s great
 
The jury has deliberated and the verdict is that this song is great with or without booze!
Great Friday morning sitting down to work song! All time great first album cut.
{#Bananajam}No need for alcohol. It’s great 
Great song to play you have a group of people with kazoos. Alcohol helps.
 dkliger wrote:
Every time I hear this song it reminds me of Frank Zappa. 

 
 I doubt I could say that every time I hear Traffic I'm reminded of Frank Zappa. They both have guitars, and percussion and keyboards. It's a mystery that what you hear has more than a passing resemblance. 
Yes!  I was just thinking Frank Zappa.  
 dkliger wrote:
Every time I hear this song it reminds me of Frank Zappa. 

 
Frank Zappa's  Hot Rats and this Traffic album were my formative education in jazz/rock fusion.  I even loved the cover of this album - dry brown recycled paper feel to it.  Seemed to go with the title as something from the distant past of pastoral England. 
Every time I hear this song it reminds me of Frank Zappa. 
Is it just me or does this track sound very Van der Graaf Generator?
 Huwie wrote:
Low Spark of the High-Heeled Boys is one of the major tracks in my life.

 
It took about 30 years of me listening to that tune and loving to fully understand its meaning, when it truly described some events in my life.
 JsDad wrote:


Second that.

 
Third that.
Low Spark of the High-Heeled Boys is one of the major tracks in my life.
Glad you played this!  Haven't heard it in a long while.

(sorry about the pun) 
 kaybee wrote:
Have to love the segue from Medeski,Martin & Wood!

 

Second that.
 trailhead wrote:

I haven't listened to the whole album for a while now but if I recall correctly there isn't any guitar on this whole album. That always struck me as unique about this album.
 
Great album! I'm checking the credits and there is no Dave Mason. Only guitars listed are Steve Winwood playing bass on Empty Pages and acoustic guitar on John Barleycorn. By the way, the re-issue containing two "previously unreleased" tracks - i.e. not good enough to make the final cut - is not helped by the additions. How can you improve on "classic" or "perfect" or whatever you want to call it? Peace.
Have to love the segue from Medeski,Martin & Wood!
 martinc wrote:

Wasn't Dave Mason playing guitar then?

 
I haven't listened to the whole album for a while now but if I recall correctly there isn't any guitar on this whole album. That always struck me as unique about this album.
 jagdriver wrote:
 snowcat wrote:
Steve Winwood, what a musician!  I never saw him play guitar until Crossroads 2007 and he ripped.

Yes, that Crossroads finale was astounding!

 
Ibid.
SUPERIOR.
In 1970 I wrote a paper on music (10th grade) and how this song, and "I'm so Glad" made me very happy.  They still do.
 ziakut wrote:
Not a big fan of Traffic, but I do like this tune. It could be a bit shorter though...

 

Agree. To me, it loses its way.
 snowcat wrote:
Steve Winwood, what a musician!  I never saw him play guitar until Crossroads 2007 and he ripped.

Yes, that Crossroads finale was astounding!
 trek_29er wrote:


mason bounced in and out of traffic until  finally"leavin" in 69 i think. i have the bands second single...written by mason called hole in my shoe. a pretty cool old tune  not what winwood was looking for . he originally split before the bands first album was released and then back for the second, writing much of that album and then supposedly  adios interestingly, if u look at the bands second album cover there is no mason there and even though he plays on most tracks ...he is uncredited on the album. he appears on the album cover for third album traffic and plays acoustic and also plays on last exit with guitar credits/ he can also be found on welcome to the canteen and then various tribute releases and packaged box sets.  dont think i missed anything...almost positive

 
Yeah, and this was originally going to be a Winwood solo album. But then somewhere during production (of the title track, I recall) he called Capaldi back in and Trafiic reformed.
 salzburg4321 wrote:
A classic, but best listened to in the context of the whole album, as used to be the norm.

 
{#Yes}{#Bananajam}
Everyone in my shoes love this!

{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Drummer}
 martinc wrote:

Wasn't Dave Mason playing guitar then?
 

mason bounced in and out of traffic until  finally"leavin" in 69 i think. i have the bands second single...written by mason called hole in my shoe. a pretty cool old tune  not what winwood was looking for . he originally split before the bands first album was released and then back for the second, writing much of that album and then supposedly  adios interestingly, if u look at the bands second album cover there is no mason there and even though he plays on most tracks ...he is uncredited on the album. he appears on the album cover for third album traffic and plays acoustic and also plays on last exit with guitar credits/ he can also be found on welcome to the canteen and then various tribute releases and packaged box sets.  dont think i missed anything...almost positive
Thank you RP for good music. This song makes my day brighter:-).
 WonderLizard wrote:

All the guitar on Traffic's first three albums—and of course this one—was Winwood. He's always preferred keys, but what an amazing and amazingly versatile guitarist. Give Blind Faith another listen and on the two-guitars tracks, see if you can tell who, Clapton or Winwood, is playing which part. Tougher than you'd think.
 
Wasn't Dave Mason playing guitar then?
Just when I was looking for something fresh. God I love RP.
Still sounds fresh and relevant...I always found this aptly titled...
 snowcat wrote:
Steve Winwood, what a musician!  I never saw him play guitar until Crossroads 2007 and he ripped.
 
All the guitar on Traffic's first three albums—and of course this one—was Winwood. He's always preferred keys, but what an amazing and amazingly versatile guitarist. Give Blind Faith another listen and on the two-guitars tracks, see if you can tell who, Clapton or Winwood, is playing which part. Tougher than you'd think.
Not a big fan of Traffic, but I do like this tune. It could be a bit shorter though...
 ThePoose wrote:
Is Stevie playing the piano or the Hammond?
 
Both. He only played the Hammond when they did this live. Odd effect—still cool. RIP Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi.

 ThePoose wrote:
Is Stevie playing the piano or the Hammond?
 
Boat?  Simultaneously?  

Is Stevie playing the piano or the Hammond?
A classic, but best listened to in the context of the whole album, as used to be the norm.
Sounds like they are having fun.
 MaryM wrote:

Went to bed every night listening to her...google her, you'll be surprised by what you read!
 
Yes, I had a little, transistor radio that I would listen to "The Nightbird" on.  She even played requests if you could get through on the phone.  Good tune, too.

 MaryM wrote:

Went to bed every night listening to her...google her, you'll be surprised by what you read!

 

"The Night Bird"- I had this funky white FM radio- the tube kind- in the head of my bed and listened every night.


 ronniegirl wrote:


WNEW and Allison Steele - ahhhh   The memories.
 
Went to bed every night listening to her...google her, you'll be surprised by what you read!

I never got high to this, or much of anything else (not saying I never got high - just saying I didn't listen to music back then.)  And I still think that this would go SO well with a Dave Brubeck song.  I love this. SO needed it today.
If you can recall a high that you had while listening to this it will never grow old.
 k_trout wrote:

You wouldn't know it and you don't

 
Hey Kilgore Trout, that was a little harsh and not much value added.

Very good — always a pleasure to hear anything off this album.
Glad? I'll be glad when it's over. The longer it  drags on, the greater my pleasure when it finally grinds to a halt.
This would fit nicely with Dave Brubeck's "Take Five."  It also sounds sublime on its own.  I heard the beginning bars and just knew I'd be dancing to it. So, okay - not exactly dancing now, since I'm in front of the computer, but rocking out as much as I can with my fingers on a lame (but-soon-to-be-new-thanks-to-a-certain-RPeep-who-might-wish-to-remain-anonymous) keyboard.

Love this song.  Traffic is in a class by itself.  I really wanna live there. {#Bounce}
Traffic was giving us some excellent music back in the day! Got me in the mood.
 Papernapkin wrote:

Funny how 'brilliance' becomes 'what was I thinking' when the buzz wears off.
 
You wouldn't know it and you don't

 Papernapkin wrote:

Funny how 'brilliance' becomes 'what was I thinking' when the buzz wears off.
 
Hey wait a minute...I took two hours just to work up this buzzzzz....

Nice!
This song sounds like the song SNL uses in the skit "What's Up With That?"

The skit is not very funny, but they use the song throughout so I can't help but hear the words when I'm listening to this song.... 
 ronniegirl wrote:


WNEW and Allison Steele - ahhhh   The memories.
 
Allison Steele....The Night Bird!
Soothing,Sexy voice....played great music...turned a 15-16 year old onto some great stuff(much like this station now that I think about it)