The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Studio album by Traffic
Released	November 1971
Recorded	September 1971, Island Studios, London
Genre	Progressive rock, jazz fusion
Length	41:05
Label	Island
Producer	Steve Winwood
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 the fifth studio album by English rock band Traffic, released in 1971. 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 name of the album's title track was suggested by the actor Michael J. Pollard.

The album features the hit "Rock & Roll Stew" and the FM hit, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." 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 unaccompanied vocal on a Traffic studio album was "Dealer" from Mr. Fantasy. The LP is also notable for its die-cut cover.

The album was certified gold less than a year after its release in the United States, and eventually certified platinum in 1996.

Low Spark of High Heeled Boys was remastered and reissued with one bonus track on 19 March 2002.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	(B)[2]

Critical retrospectives on the album are generally positive. Allmusic was overwhelmingly approving in its assessment, praising the variety brought by the non-Winwood/Capaldi compositions and the power of the lengthy title track, and claiming the album "marked the commercial and artistic apex of the second coming of Traffic".^[1] In addition, Robert Christgau commented on the band's growth from previous efforts, stating that while the group is "devoid of intellectual thrust," they're "onto something," and "when it works, it suggests a nice paradox—relaxed and exciting at the same time."^[2] Pop Matters offered yet another viewpoint, calling it "an album that's easy to listen to over and over, but one that seldom shows up on 'best of' lists." It commented that most of the songs are highly understated and require multiple listens to appreciate.^[3]

Track listing

Side 1

1. "Hidden Treasure" (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) – 4:16
2. "The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys" (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) – 11:35^{[nb 1]}
3. "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" (Jim Capaldi) – 4:55

Side 2

4. "Rock & Roll Stew" (Ric Grech, Jim Gordon) – 4:29
5. "Many a Mile to Freedom" (Steve Winwood, Anna Capaldi^[4]) – 7:26
6. "Rainmaker" (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) – 7:39

2002 bonus track

7. "Rock & Roll Stew Parts 1 & 2" (Grech, Gordon) – 6:07

Note: This is different from the "Rock & Roll Stew Part 1" and "Part 2" recordings on the single. It is a previously unreleased version which is the most complete studio performance of the song. The album version fades earlier than this version. Part 1 on the single is an edit (with shortened instrumental break) of the album version. Part 2 (side B of the single) fades in at a point past the album version's fadeout. This is also the version of "Rock & Roll Stew" that appears on the Gold compilation.

Personnel

• Steve Winwood – guitar, lead vocals (1, 2, 5, 6), piano, organ
• Chris Wood – saxophone, flute
• Jim Capaldi – percussion, lead vocals (3, 4), backing vocals (6)
• Ric Grech – bass, violin
• Jim Gordon – drums
• Rebop Kwaku Baah – percussion
• Mike Kellie – drums (6) ^[5]
• Cover art: Tony Wright

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1972	Billboard Pop Albums	7[6]

Singles

Year	Song	Chart	Position
1972	"Rock & Roll Stew Part 1"	Billboard Pop Singles	93[6]

Certifications

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

Notes

1. Commonly listed incorrectly on labels as 12:10.

References

1. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys at AllMusic
2. Traffic reviews, Robert Christgau. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
3. Lankford, Ronnie D., Jr. (30 May 2002.) Album review, Pop Matters.
4. As shown on the original LP label and in the "BMI database".. Later releases credit Jim Capaldi instead of Anna, as does the ASCAP database.
5. "Steve Winwood website.".
6. Traffic in the USA Charts, Allmusic. Retrieved 9 August 2011.