.
What you have before you is my third (a.k.a. 3rd) entry in [link> MMQE's 'Rocktoberfest' carnival.
.
 |
| Me (chin in hand) in my Rock Poetry class - 1977. |
.
I was introduced to the band Traffic in the only high school class I ever enjoyed – Rock Poetry. (Well, honestly, I didn’t mind my Debate class in high school, either. But that’s only because I got to sit next to Jean Gonzalez. Ooh! Hot mama!!)
.
 |
| Jean Gonzalez, bottom right... yeah, bottom... right! |
.
In Rock Poetry, our final exam consisted of introducing other students to a musical artist whose lyrics you found notably good. You had to bring in a song to be played and lyric sheets for everyone in the class. (It wasn't like chewing gum, where you could bring in just enough for your own self-centered self.)
.
During his final exam, one student turned us all on to Traffic and their 1971 song [link> 'The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys'. I instantly dug that song and went right out and bought the LP. I dug that LP so much that, shortly thereafter, I bought several more albums by Traffic.
.
During the 'Low Spark' period, Traffic consisted of Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi, Jim Gordon, Ric Grech, and (one of the most memorable names I've encountered in my 65 years) Rebop Kwaku Baah.
.
One of my favorite tracks on the 'Low Spark' album was 'ROCK 'N' ROLL STEW'. Here it is:
.
Rock 'N' Roll Stew
by Traffic
.
Remember that (song); you'll need it later!
.
~ STMcC
~ STMcC
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
Argh! I just wrote a lengthy comment and accidentally wiped it out! Try again... Traffic had some good tunes and I remember this one. (I'm guessing you'll be using it in an upcoming BOTB?) We saw Stevie Winwood perform live twice (opening for Santana and Rod Stewart, respectively) and were impressed by his musical versatility. Never heard of "Rebop", but according to Wiki: "Anthony "Rebop" Kwaku Baah (13 February 1944 – 12 January 1983) was a Ghanaian percussionist who worked with the 1970s rock groups Traffic and Can." Sad that he died so young! (Cerebral hemorrhage)
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE D'DOGLADY ~
DeleteThanks for visiting, and also for your second comment attempt.
Wow! I'm surprised you knew this song. My Rocktoberfest songs are being chosen because I think they're underrated, and I think they're underrated because they are mostly unknown in these (strange) times we're living in.
That was astute of you to realize I am intending to use this song in a future BOTB. It mentions wine, so it's eligible for my Battle Of The Booze series. Not sure yet what my Nov. 1st Battle is going to be, but if 'Rock 'N' Roll Stew' isn't included then, it will appear soon thereafter.
I really liked a lot of Steve Winwood's self-titled solo stuffs, too. I bought his first solo LP and played the helck out of it. (I associated the song 'Empty Chair' with my friend Marty, who was killed by the carjacker.) That album did real well in my 'Morning Music With Joe' competition about 6 years ago.
Also, his album 'Talking Back To The Night' was one I really wrapped my mind around. A number of those songs I could strongly personally identify with.
Thanks again for taking the time to visit and comment! Appreciated!
~ Stephen
So, what became of Jean Gonzalez? She was a pretty girl. Now, I don't remember Traffic and "Rock 'N' Roll Stew"didn't stir my memories any but you mentioned some memorable bandmates which has me curious. I've gotta head to YT to sample more of Traffic's music. Poetry and Debate class would've been out of my league in my high school days and while I try to dabble in poetry now, debating is still off the table. I can't argue my way out of a paper bag. I'm really bad at it. That doesn't mean I'm easily swayed to someone's side. I'm pretty grounded in what I believe and am stuck firmly in my way of thinking. Anywho, your Rocktober song pick is really groovy! Thanks for the introduction. Have a boogietastic week!
ReplyDeleteCAThy! It's That YOU!
DeleteJean Gonzalez was a senior the year I was a sophomore. And she was amongst the cheerleader groups (Flags), so her paying the least bit of attention to me was about the same odds as The Dodgers winning the Super Bowl.
The last I heard about Jean, she had moved to Santa Barbara after graduating from high school, and that's where the one-sided romance ended.
I didn't find my Debate / Public Speaking class overly traumatizing, probably because I was also involved in the Theatre Arts. One who can't stand up in front of people and yak pert-goot, is one who has no chance of becoming an actor.
Thanks for coming by to check out my Rocktoberfest happenings, my friend!
~ D-FensDogG
Rock poetry would have been in my interest range. I didn't even get that in college. Guess I was born too late for that.
ReplyDeleteMy friends and I used to listen to a lot of Traffic in the early seventies. Really great music! These days I listen to traffic, but it's the cars that pass by on the highway behind our house.
Lee
R. LEE BOID ~
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Yeah, Rock Poetry was taught by one of the English professors and it was an "elective" class. It was right in my wheelhouse and turned me onto several music artists I had been previously unaware of.
One would think that I also liked my Drawing and Theatre Arts classes, but I didn't. I cut school and went to the beach several times when I was supposed to be learning about Art. And I felt like the stray mutt in my Theatre classes because I wasn't one of those outgoing attention-seeker types.
Maybe you should crank some Traffic up to eleven and try drowning-out all those traffic sounds. ;^)
~ D-FensDogG
I remember this song and liked it. I liked anything Winwood was involved in, really. Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, (loved) Blind Faith, and his solo career. I went to a concert of his as a solo artist and it was "fine." Boring as sin, but "fine." I had a friend back in the day that was totally into Traffic... she loved them where I just liked them a lot.
ReplyDeleteSixgun McItchyfinger
SIR SIXY ~
DeleteThanks for the visit. Looks like I can add Traffic to our small list of musical artists whom we both dig. (We're up to 13 now. Woo-Hoo!)
I have a DVD of Traffic playing live at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1972, which is pretty cool because that's where I attended my first Rock concert 4 years later.
Spencer Davis Group I liked (although I never owned an LP) and Blind Faith I am familiar with, but have only heard a very small handful of songs... long ago. I'd probably know their stuffs mo' better except that I've never been a big Clapton fan.
I liked some of Winwood's solo stuffs as much as I did the Traffic tunes. I may even include one solo Winwood track before this Rocktoberfest-A-Thon is over.
~ D-FensDogG
Great sound from years passed by.
ReplyDeleteIt almost feels like over a lifetime ago that I first heard Traffic and then bought my first LP by them. (At least it was an LP and not an 8-track tape! ;^)
Delete~ D-FensDogG