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Traffic: Empty Pages, London; 1973
Issued by Oil Well Records, Made in Italy. Not a commercially available recording. The sleeve states "Live in London, UK June 5 1973". But it's not as you will see. Cover pic depicts Steve in "goatie" beard, taken from When the Eagle Flies promotional photographs.
Track Listing:
John Barleycorn Must Die. Despite the CD sleeve cover, this track may or may not have been recorded in London. Then again it might be from the German gig(s), which constitute the Traffic on the Road album. Could even be the 1970 trio line up, who knows! Whatever, this track is almost as good a live version that you'll find but with one slightly enduring feature. Steve and Jim getting the words mixed up towards the end of the song, with a slight snigger in there too!
Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory. This is the exact same cut from the Traffic on the Road album. Nuff said!
Glad/Freedom Rider live. Again unknown as to where recorded. Sounds like the 3 piece line up though, or maybe augmented by Ric Grech, but it definitely ain't the 73 line up, that's clear. Anyway, it's not that bad. Steve up to par on organ on Glad. Freedom Rider, not bad. Chris Wood in excellent form on Flute and Sax. The sound recording of Steve's vocal distorts his voice slightly, but not enough to fail to enjoy.
Every Mothers Son. Trio line up once again. Got a feeling that this and Glad/Freedom Rider are from BBC 1970 Radio recordings, might be wrong though. But it's not bad. Chris Wood on Electric Piano. Jim's drumming as steady as ever.
Low Spark Of The High Heeled Boys. This is the exact same cut from the Traffic on the Road live album. Need I say more?
Pearly Queen. BBC radio recording, 1968 line up I think, but might be 1970. Nice version this. Good guitar work by Steve.
Empty Pages. BBC Radio recording 1970. Good version this. Nice Electric Piano solo. Not bad.
Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring. BBC Radio recording. Good to hear this in a live format. It's always been one of my favorite Traffic songs, although others will I'm sure disagree with me! Nice funky organ solo by Steve. Chris on form on Sax. Funky is definitely I think the word for this one.
Medicated Goo. BBC radio recording 1970. Not bad but it doesn't really come across that well performed as a three piece, but worth hearing.
What else can I say about this CD? Well, don't be mislead by the sleeve stating that it's recorded live in London in '73 because clearly it isn't! If you don't already have the BBC recordings in your possession then it's worth getting just for them. Taking 2 tracks that are already commercially available is a bit out of order, but there you go. Other than that the CD is not too bad but don't pay over the odds for it.
By: Eddie Gibbs
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