1968 TRAFFIC MR FANTASY Sitar Psych POPSIKE Garage

$

34

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1968 *STEREO* FIRST PRESSING *VINYL*                

                  TRAFFIC   

                 Mr Fantasy

...USA - United Artists - UAS 6651

NICE Original 1968 VINYL first pressing... One of the greatest of British psychedelia albums, as many foret the powers within... 

Psychedelic keyboards, hard guitar solo a la CREAM, British folk and music-hall, jazz paranoia and Indian raga with overall Winwood's soulful voice make an album that can be enjoyed over and over. Mason gives important musical component with his guitar, bass and sitar, offering one of the best raga moments in rock music, "Utterly Simple", which rivals the Fab Four's "Within You, Without You" . Each song has its place on this mature record, but the title track - allegedly drug-influenced imagination - "Dear Mr. Fantasy" comes off as a heady classic that rivals any of the top psychedelic grooves of the time (including trippy stuff The Beatles were doing) -- all the standardised tropes- production effects such as phasing, stereo gimmicks, lysergic lyrics and a large helping of Eastern mysticism- are all in place, but yet the overall musicianship here is stronger and the musical net is cast wider.  

'Heaven Is In Your Mind' is in psych mode straight away, as the title implies. A nice rustic, laid back groove runs throughout due to the subtle whirl flute and winds of Chris Wood, while the percussion of Jim Capaldi is tasteful and refined throughout. Winwood's immensely soulful vocals take centre stage though, and his talent is hugely evident even here.

'Berkshire Poppies' is an archetypal piece of pop psych whimsy, with the presence of mod/psych legends The Small Faces on backing vocals. This track with oh-so-English lyrics and a musichall feel to the chorus has period charm.

'House For Everyone' is again a nice piece of pop psych, with its quirky melody to introduce it and a charmingly English lead vocal from Dave Mason marking it out. Sharp ears will detect some fairly early use of the mellotron towards the end- itself a standard trope of psych songs at the time.

'No Face No Name No Number' is perhaps the first track which moves away from the realms of psych and into something different. It's maybe an all time fave Traffic track, and is simply beautiful. Steve Winwood's vocal is very passionate, the acoustic guitar chords are gorgeous, whilst the harpsichord adds a layer of intrigue. Again, the mellotron is used, and to stunning effect. Now this isn't so very far away from the more mellow moments of 'In The Court Of The Crimson King'...

'Dear Mr Fantasy' is another all time Traffic classic, with an R & B feel but nevertheless a bit more ambitious. The phasing makes it a period piece, but the track is first class, with its propulsive guitar riff and a soulful vocal from Winwood. The climax is pretty heavy for the time, with some furious harmonica work and driving bass, not to mention the relentless percussion of Jim Capaldi.

'Dealer' reminds a bit of Cream tracks like 'I Feel Free' or 'Badge', with its duel vocal and psych backdrop with some nice flutes and maracas in the background.

'Utterly Simple' again straddles the middleground between prog and psych with its unusual time signature and exotic instrumentation. The sitar is dominant here, winding its way through this wonderfully mystic track. Dave Mason gets to handle the lead vocals, and this would prove to be another classic.

'Coloured Rain' is a more typical psych track as the title implies, yet gets a passionate airing from Winwood. He gets to let loose with some terrific Hammond organ bursts- at the time, Winwood was seemingly revered as one of the UK's finest keyboard players, something often overlooked today.

'Hole In My Shoe'  is again psych, with some typical stereo gimmicks and phasing. A fine mellotron clad track.

'Giving To You' doesn't really begin promisingly, with a backdrop of 'hippie' speak but gives way to a jazz/blues instrumental which gives Winwood and Chris Wood especially the chance to branch out on Hammond and flute respectively. Capaldi's percussion is swinging and drives the track nicely.

Plus wiggy head grooves guaranteed in the melodic grooves of:

Paper Sun, We're A Fade, You Missed This, and the like!

Overall, this is a very solid album from beginning to end -- a psychedelic classic, if you will...

Paper Sun

Dealer

Coloured Rain

Hole IN My Shoe

No Face, No Name, No Number

Heaven Is In Your Mind

B:

House For Everyone

Berkshire Poppies 

Giving To You

Smiling Phases

Dear Mr Fantasy

We're A Fade, You Missed This

CONDITION: The cover is solid, "EX" (excellent!) all seams are strong and back cover is clean. Not with problems...

The vinyl is superb "VG++"  couple little minor nothing scuff lines, all very glossy, expect to play clean!

     TOP 1968 BRITISH Psychedelic classic grooover!!!

        A cool addition to anyone's music library!

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record