The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (album)

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The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Studio album by Traffic
Released	November 1971
Recorded	September 1971, Island Studios, London
Genre	Rock, Jazz Rock
Length	41:05
Label	Island Records
Producer	Steve Winwood
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Robert Christgau (B) link Dan Ropek Pop Matters
Traffic chronology
Welcome to the Canteen (1971) The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (1971) 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.

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 Bonus track (2002 reissue) 2 Personnel 3 Miscellanea 4 Charts 5 Certifications 6 References

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi unless otherwise noted.

1. "Hidden Treasure" – 4:16
2. "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" – 11:35
3. "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" (Jim Capaldi) – 4:55
4. "Rock & Roll Stew" (Ric Grech, Jim Gordon) – 4:29
5. "Many a Mile to Freedom" (Steve Winwood, Anna Capaldi^[1]) – 7:26
6. "Rainmaker" – 7:39

[edit] Bonus track (2002 reissue)

1. "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.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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

[edit] Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1972	Billboard Pop Albums	7

Singles

Year	Song	Chart	Position
1972	"Rock & Roll Stew Part 1"	Billboard Pop Singles	93

[edit] Certifications

Organization	Level	Date
RIAA – USA	Gold	February 7, 1972
RIAA – USA	Platinum	March 3, 1996

[edit] References

1. ^ BMI Copyright Database..; also per credits on original LP label. Later releases erroneously, but understandably, credit Jim.

v • d • e Traffic Steve Winwood • Jim Capaldi • Chris Wood • Dave Mason Jim Gordon • Ric Grech • Rebop Kwaku Baah • David Hood • Roger Hawkins • Rosko Gee Studio albums Mr. Fantasy • Traffic • Last Exit • John Barleycorn Must Die • The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys • Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory • When the Eagle Flies • Far from Home Live albums Welcome to the Canteen • On the Road • Last Great Traffic Jam Compilations Best of Traffic • Heavy Traffic • More Heavy Traffic • Smiling Phases • Heaven Is In Your Mind • Traffic Gold Songs "Paper Sun" • "Hole in My Shoe" • "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" • "Dear Mr. Fantasy" • "John Barleycorn" • "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" •