Great show from Traffic in Santa Monica, California in 1972.

13 January 2023 | James Porteous | Clipper Media News

Traffic circa 1972

Band:

– Steve Winwood / guitar, organ, piano, vocals
– Jim Capaldi / percussion, vocals
– Chris Wood / saxophone, flute, organ
– Reebop Kwaku Baah / percussion
– David Hood / bass
– Roger Hawkins / drums

0:00 The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys

13:46 Light Up Or Leave Me Alone

20:25 John Barleycorn

26:00 Rainmaker

31:15 Percussion Solo (Kwaku Baah)

34:48 Glad >

43:56 Freedom Rider

48:43 Forty Thousand Headmen

53:34 Dear Mr Fantasy

From Jambase:

For our money, the best era of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act Traffic’s legendary career took place in the early ’70s. At the time Traffic was made up of Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, Rebop Kwaku Baah, Roger Hawkins and David Hood.

The band released their seminal album The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys in 1971 and soon thereafter visited Santa Monica, CA in 1972 for a show that has circulated among fans and on sketchy, unofficial releases for a long time.

This performance shows off the majesty of early ’70s Traffic, so we’ve picked it for this week’s Full Show Friday selection.

In the video, which features 62 minutes of the powerful concert, Traffic starts off with kickass renditions of “Low Spark” and “Light Up Or Leave Me Alone” before moving on to the more mellow “John Barleycorn” and “Rainmaker.”

“Glad” shows off the phenomenal skills of Winwood and features sexy sax work from Wood. “Freedom Rider” and “40,000 Headmen” bring us into a smoking “Dear Mr. Fantasy” finale.