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Traffic
is the second
studio album
by the
English
Rock Band
of the same name,
released in 1968
on Island Records
in the
United Kingdom
The album peaked at
number 9
in the
UK Albums Chart
and at number 17
on the
Billboard
Top LPs chart.
It was the last album
recorded by the group
before their
initial breakup.
Background and Content
In January 1968,
after some initial success
in Britain with their
debut album
Mr. Fantasy,
Dave Mason
had departed
from the group.
He produced the
debut album
by the group
Family,
containing in its
ranks future
Traffic
bass player
Ric Grech,
while Traffic went
on the road.
In May,
the band had invited
Mason back to begin
recording the
new album.
The album was somewhat
of a departure from
the psychedelia
of
Traffic's debut,
featuring a more
eclectic display
of influences
from blues
to folk
and jazz.
Mason ended up
writing and singing
half of the songs
on the album
(including his biggest hit "Feelin' Alright?"),
but making scant
contribution to the songs
written by
Jim Capaldi
and
Steve Winwood.
His flair for
pop melody
had always been
at odds with the others'
jazz ambitions,
evidenced by the
dichotomy seen
for the songs
on this album,
and by October
he was again out
of the band.
He would return
one more time
for a tour
and album
in 1971
to run out
the band's contract.
Last Exit
is the third album
release by
English
rock band
Traffic.
Released in
May 1969,
it is a collection of
odds and ends
packaged by
Island Records
after the initial breakup
of the band.
The first half
of the album consists
predominantly of
previously released
A-sides and B-sides,
while the second half
were recordings
taken from a
March 1968 concert
at the
Fillmore Auditorium.
The album reached
number 19
in the American
Billboard
Top LPs chart.
Cover
As implied by
the cover photos,
the album features
the original lineup
of
Steve Winwood,
Jim Capaldi,
Chris Wood,
and
Dave Mason.
Mason only appears
on two tracks:
"Just for You"
and
"Something's Got a Hold of My Toe".
The original American LP
released by
United Artists Records
has different cover artwork.
The US front features
a different picture
of the band
cut up into the shape
of the band's logo
with a
black background.
TRACKLIST
You Can All Join In
Pearly Queen
Don't Be Sad
Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
Feelin' Alright
Vagabond Virgin
Forty Thousand Headmen
Cryin' To Be Heard
No Time To Live
Means To An End
Just For You
Shanghai Noodle Factory
Something's Got A Hold Of My Toe
Withering Tree
Medicated Goo
Feelin' Good
(Live)
Blind Man
(Live)
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