JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE

By this time, Traffic was disbanded, with guitarist Dave Mason leaving the group for the second time. Steve Winwood joined the supergroup Blind Faith, while drummer Jim Capaldi and multi instrumentalist Chris Wood turned to session work. Both Wood and Capaldi joined drummer Ginger Baker in his post-Blind Faith group, Ginger Baker's Air Force, for their debut album, Ginger Baker's Air Force (1970).

After Blind Faith's self-titled record was released, Winwood returned to the studio with a few ideas he hadn't been able to use with Blindfaith and a desire to create a more progressive sound on a maybe solo project. The album was initially titled Mad Shadows, and he recorded two tracks with producer Guy Stevens, "Stranger to Himself" and "Every Mother's Son." However, Winwood soon realized he needed like-minded musicians to bring his ideas to life. He invited Wood and Capaldi to join him, marking a re-launch of Traffic with a more jazz-experimental sound than their earlier psychedelic-pop rock 'n' roll style.

Though Winwood attempted to bring Dave Mason back into the fold, the collaboration didn't materialize. Yet, with Capaldi on drums and vocals, Wood on multiple winds instruments, and Winwood handling keyboards, guitars, percussion, and vocals, the three formed a strong unit. They recorded the album with minimal commercial expectations, allowing Traffic the freedom to explore new sounds.

The album John Barleycorn Must Die blended jazz and progressive influences, with one traditional English folk song providing its title and thematic centerpiece. Their rendition of "John Barleycorn" became iconic, showing the musicians' ability to offer a modern interpretation of folk music with a depth and nuance that was new for Traffic.

In the end, John Barleycorn Must Die (1970) proved to be a very enjoyable record, showcasing Traffic's musical maturity and their willingness to embrace new directions. The tracklist opens with the instrumental "Glad," a fantastic jazz-infused jam, followed by "Freedom Rider" and "Empty Pages," continuing the jazzy style with great sax and flute work by Chris Wood. The next song, "Stranger to Himself," has a groovy, funk-inspired feel and is a hint of the band's future direction. "John Barleycorn (Must Die)" is a beautifully folk piece, pastoral break from the rest of the record and a classic prog sound, before the album concludes with "Every Mother's Son," highlighting Winwood's outstanding voice and keyboard work.

John Barleycorn Must Die is a landmark album, a significant step forward from their earlier work. Traffic had become a mature band, far from their previous pop attempts, and Steve Winwood emerged as a legend.

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