The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (album)

Infobox Album
Name = The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Type = studio
Artist = Traffic


Released = November 1971
Recorded = September 1971, Island Studios, London
Genre = Rock, Jazz rock
Length = 41:05
Label = Island
Producer = Steve Winwood
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:k9byxd0bjolf link]
* Robert Christgau (B) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=traffic link]
* [http://www.jimcapaldi.com/ReviewLowSp.htm Dan Ropek]
* [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/t/traffic-lowspark.shtml Pop Matters]
Last album = "Welcome to the Canteen" (1971)
This album = "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" (1971)
Next album = "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" (1973)

"The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" is a 1971 album by English rock band Traffic. As with other Traffic albums, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" featured different forms and offshoots of rock including jazz rock, progressive rock, as well as classic rock and roll. The album features the full version of the hit "Rock & Roll Stew" and the FM hit, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys."

Low Spark of High Heeled Boys was remastered and reissued with one bonus track on March 19 2002.

Track listing

All songs written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi unless otherwise noted.
# "Hidden Treasure" – 4:16
# "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" – 11:35
# "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" (Jim Capaldi) – 4:55
# "Rock & Roll Stew" (Ric Grech, Jim Gordon) – 4:29
# "Many a Mile to Freedom" (Steve Winwood, Anna Capaldi [cite web |url=http://www.winwoodfans.com/legal/manymile.htm |title=BMI Copyright Database.; also per credits on original LP label. Later releases erroneously, but understandably, credit Jim.] ) – 7:26
# "Rainmaker" – 7:39

Bonus track (2002 reissue)

# "Rock & Roll Stew Parts 1 & 2" (Grech, Gordon) – 6:07"Note: This track is the most complete version of the original studio performance. The album version fades out earlier. This recording was also edited into the 2 sides of the "Rock & Roll Stew" single. Part 1 was an edit (with shortened instrumental break) of the album version. Part 2 was a jam that extended past the album version's fadeout."

Personnel

*Steve Winwood – vocals, guitar, piano, organ
*Chris Wood – saxophone, flute
*Jim Capaldi – vocals, percussion
*Ric Grech – bass, violin
*Jim Gordon – drums
*Rebop Kwaku Baah – percussion

Miscellanea

This is the only original Traffic album to feature two lead vocals by Jim Capaldi ("Light Up Or Leave Me Alone" and "Rock & Roll Stew"). His only other full lead vocal on a Traffic studio album was "Dealer" from "Mr. Fantasy".

Cover art:Tony Wright

Charts

Album

References