JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE

I can't understand why so many people (I talk about proggers) like so much of this recording !! Only because they put some jazzy ingredients to the formula ? If you like jazz in TRAFFIC albuns, is better listen the following 3 works ("Low Sparks", "Fantasy Factory" or the live "On the Road"). Ok, in my opinion this is the worst TRAFFIC album of all the times !!! ( I don't know "Last Exit" or the "Eagles" albuns) . But, why John Barley... is so bad? Well, the first problem is the absence of the great Dave Mason. Winwood can do some good things on guitar, but he is NOT a great guitar player. And the other problems of this album came because of it: Winwood wanting to play all instruments, including drums (horrible) . The main consequence : some good songs, but played in worst ways. I really tried to like this album (was the third CD I buyed from the band), but I desisted after the tenth listening... It happened in the middle of the 90's... Then a friend of mine buyed the remastered version with bonus tracks, and I tried to absorb the sound again, but, I disliked more than the other time. If you want to know this band, in my opinion you need listen "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" or "The Low Spark of High Heahel Boys", great albuns. And if you are more open to old rock n' roll, try the live album "Welcome to the Canteen", where we can hear some great tunes from Dave Mason with other old and basic material of the TRAFFIC albuns (the version of "Dear Mr Fantasy" is fantastic !!).