Tag Archives: John Barleycorn Must Die

Music Monday: August 4, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sweet Baby James is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released on February 1, 1970. And 55 years later, it remains one of his most beloved records. The title track has always been one of my favorite songs by him. But it is the first track on side 2- which peaked at #3 in October 1970-which is probably his best known tune, along with “You’ve Got A Friend” which was released in 1971. That was the #1 song in the country on July 31, 1971 for one week.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic was also released 55 years ago, making its debut in July 1970. The band formed in Birmingham, England three years earlier and featured Jim Capaldi (August 2, 1944 – January 28, 2005), Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Chris Wood (June 24, 1944 – July 12, 1983) . Mason was not on the 1970 album as he left the band after the release of their debut album-1967’s Mr. Fantasy-but came back for their third album, 1969’s Last Exit. After that, Mason departed for good. Traffic released a total of eight albums together, with the last one coming in 1994 after years of the two primary songwriters-Capaldi and Winwood-writing together for solo projects. Traffic was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Eric Clapton released his debut self-titled solo album in the U.S. on August 12, 1970. It was produced by Delaney Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, who were one of the opening acts for Clapton’s band, Blind Faith, in 1969. When they broke up, Clapton continued touring with the Friends’ band. Delaney’s wife, Bonnie Bramlett, co-wrote eight of the eleven songs on Clapton’s solo record. His collaborations with The Friends’ band led to his meeting with Bobby Whitlock, who along with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon would form Derek and the Dominos with Clapton that same year.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Forty years ago on August 5, 1985, John Cougar Mellencamp released his eighth studio album, Scarecrow. It was the follow-up to 1983’s Uh-Huh which produced three Top 20 hits (“Crumblin’ Down”, “Pink Houses” & “The Authority Song”). The 1985 record had three Top Ten hits including “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” and “Lonely Ol’ Night”. In his career to date Mellencamp has 10 Top Ten songs & one #1 hit, “Jack & Diane”, which spent four consecutive weeks in the top spot in October 1982.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

James Taylor: “Sweet Baby James” (1970, written by James Taylor).

James Taylor: “Fire and Rain” (1970, written by James Taylor).

Traffic: “Empty Pages” (1970. written by Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood).

Eric Clapton: “Let It Rain” (1970, written by Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton).

John Cougar Mellencamp: “Small Town” (1985, written by John Cougar Mellencamp).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 2, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

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Happy 2023, everyone. To paraphrase John Lennon, let’s hope this new year is a good one. I do not like to have expectations, but I have always thought of 23 as a good number. It has always been one of my favorites, it belonged to my most loved NY Islander (Bobby Nystrom), it was Jack Shephard’s number on “Lost” and he saved the island (if you have never seen the show you need to binge it NOW-it is unbelievably fabulous).

One of the best parts of a new year is the feeling of a clean slate in front of us. The chance to write or tell any story we wish within the parameters of what life has in store for us. Whatever new chapter we are starting to write for ourselves this year, it will start the same way as the others-with a blank page.

“Found someone who can comfort me
But there are always exceptions
And she’s good at appearing sane
But I just want you to know“.

Traffic

Traffic’s 1970 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Traffic: “Empty Pages” (written by Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 202

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Jane Austen Music Quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

When the band Traffic formed in England in 1967 it was as a quartet: Jim Capaldi (vocalist, drummer & lyricist), Dave Mason (vocals, songwriter & guitars), Steve Winwood (songwriter, organ & blue-eyed soul master vocalist) and Chris Wood (a multi-instrumentalist who played saxophone, flute, keyboards & bass as well as contributing to the vocals and songwriting duties). Their first album, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” was released in December, their self-titled follow-up came out in 1968 & featured the Mason penned hit, “Feelin’ Alright”.

The group disbanded in 1969 when Mason & Winwood left, the former for artistic differences and the latter with no explanation. He went on to join the supergroup, Blind Faith, the same year but when that group failed to stay together after only one album, he reunited with Traffic in 1970 as a trio since Mason did not return. That year the group released “John Barleycorn Must Die” which features today’s song. In 1971 “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” came out followed by two live albums & three more studio records before the group broke up in 1974.

Wood died in 1983 at age 39 from pneumonia & Capaldi died at age 60 in 2005 from cancer. But he was present at the band’s 2004 induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Wood’s sister, Stephanie, accepted on his behalf. Winwood went on to have a successful solo career and is still performing. Mason, who moved to the U.S. permanently in 1971, continues playing as well and is probably best remembered for his 1977 top 20 hit, “We Just Disagree”. He is also involved in a few other endeavors outside of music including his charity, “Rock Our Vets” which helps returning veterans as well as the families of law enforcement & firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Of all of Traffic’s music, today’s song is the one I love most of all.

“Found someone who can comfort me
But there are always exceptions
And she’s good at appearing sane
But I just want you to know“.

3rd Traffic

Traffic circa 1967 (L-R): Back: Jim Capaldi and Dave Mason. Seated: Steve Winwood and Chris Wood. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Traffic: “Empty Pages” (1970, written by Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.