from the LP Mr. Fantasy, Island Records, 1967We all seek validation in one form or another, traipsing along through the world looking for others that value our unique qualities, reading signs & symbols that reassure us we are looking in the right direction, walking along the appropriate road…well, that is unless you make it your goal to not seek justification from anyone, in which case you are merely reacting to that expectation, then being as controlled (arguably more so) by that need; thus, it’s all about how you define things, a point not lost on the boys in Traffic, as they so eloquently elucidate for us here, “…capturing moments of life in a jar, playing with children, acting as stars…take extra care not to lose what you feel, the apple you're eating is simple and real, water the flowers that grow at your heel…” With the possible exception of the fleeting encounter which was Blind Faith, pianist and vocalist Steve Winwood never sounded more appealing to me than he did here, during his tenure with Traffic; his ability to balance the soft & hard within both his playing and singing, and doing so with such seeming abandon, the man’s genius just cannot be overstated. So dig it, ‘cause life’s to short to get all hung up, and anyways, at least partially, “…heaven is in your mind…”
