Traffic THEN vs NOW - "Dear Mr. Fantasy" (1967) evolution

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Traffic was a British rock band formed in 1967 in Birmingham, England, known for blending rock with jazz, folk, psychedelia, and progressive influences. The original lineup featured four talented multi-instrumentalists: Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason.

Formation and Early Years (1967–1969)
The band was formed after Steve Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group at the age of 18. He joined forces with drummer/lyricist Jim Capaldi, saxophonist/flutist Chris Wood, and guitarist/songwriter Dave Mason. The group retreated to a cottage in the Berkshire countryside to write and rehearse music in isolation, a move that shaped their eclectic and exploratory sound.

Their debut album, "Mr. Fantasy" (1967), was a psychedelic rock landmark, featuring whimsical lyrics, unusual instrumentation, and a fresh take on British rock. It included tracks like "Dear Mr. Fantasy", which became a signature song.

Dave Mason contributed to the debut but soon left due to musical differences, as his pop-oriented songwriting (like "Feelin' Alright", later made famous by Joe Cocker) contrasted with Winwood's and Capaldi's more experimental directions. Mason rejoined briefly for the self-titled second album, "Traffic" (1968), before leaving again.

Hiatus and Return (1969–1971)
After a short break in 1969—during which Steve Winwood joined Blind Faith with Eric Clapton—Traffic regrouped in 1970 as a trio (Winwood, Capaldi, Wood), with Winwood handling bass, guitar, and keyboards.

This period marked a shift toward a more improvisational, jazz-influenced sound. Albums like "John Barleycorn Must Die" (1970), "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" (1971), and "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" (1973) solidified Traffic's reputation for musical sophistication and depth. The title track from Low Spark became another enduring classic, despite its unconventional length and structure.

New members joined during this era, including:

Ric Grech (bass, from Blind Faith and Family),

Rebop Kwaku Baah (percussion, from Ghana),

Jim Gordon (drums, from Derek and the Dominos),

David Hood and Roger Hawkins from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

Decline and First Breakup (1974)
By the mid-1970s, internal tensions, health issues (particularly Chris Wood's struggle with addiction), and the logistical difficulties of maintaining the band's ambitious live sound led to the group’s decline. Their final studio album during this period was "When the Eagle Flies" (1974), a darker, more introspective record.

Traffic disbanded later that year after a farewell tour.
THEN and NOW: Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood,
Reunion and Later Activity (1994)
In 1994, Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi reunited Traffic for a new album, "Far from Home", released under the Traffic name. Although Chris Wood had died in 1983, the album paid tribute to his memory. The band toured with the new material and opened for the Grateful Dead.

Legacy
Traffic is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and musically adventurous bands of the late '60s and early '70s. They successfully blended rock, jazz, folk, and psychedelia into a distinctive and influential sound.

Steve Winwood went on to have a highly successful solo career.

Jim Capaldi continued writing and recording music until his death in 2005.

Chris Wood’s haunting flute and sax lines remain central to the band's identity.

Dave Mason enjoyed solo success, particularly in the U.S.

In 2004, Traffic was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their status as one of the great British rock acts of their era.
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