Traffic – Freedom Rider

Here is a small intermission from The Kinks…

I listen to this and it’s a fantastic escape from this world we live in. You have Winwood’s great voice with this free-flowing music. There are not too many songs you will hear me say “Hey listen to that flute!” but this is one of them. It’s not a commercial song but it’s pure Traffic.

This song was on the album John Barleycorn Must Die released in 1970. It was originally intended to be a Steve Winwood solo project after Traffic had disbanded in 1969. However, during the recording process, Winwood reunited with Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, and the project turned into a Traffic album although they didn’t have Dave Mason.

The album was recorded at Island Studios in London. The sessions were mostly free-form and experimental, with the band members bringing their different influences. This differs from their earlier psychedelic sound to a more jazz-influenced and progressive rock style. It works well and I’ve listened to the album this week at work several times through.

The album peaked at #5 in the Billboard 200, #6 in Canada, and #11 in the UK in 1970 but the song did not chart.

Freedom Rider

Like a hurricane around your heart
When earth and sky are torn apart
He comes gathering up the bits
While hoping that the puzzle fits

He leaves you
He leaves you
Freedom rider

With a silver star between his eyes
That open up at hidden lies
Big man crying with defeat
See people gathering in the street

You feel him
You feel good
Freedom rider

When lightning strikes you to the bone
You turn around, you’re all alone
By the time you hear that siren sound
Then your soul is in the lost and found

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

31 thoughts on “Traffic – Freedom Rider”

  1. I remember this tune from the album that I used to own, then loaned it to my sister that let a boyfriend take my albums home to listen and then they broke up and I lost about 30 albums, this one included. Winwood was, and is, a talented fellow.

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    2. Onto another of my staple bands. Timeless stuff Max. Never to far from my music box. The album is high on my album pile. We were talking about song order. I have the song sequence imbedded in my head. That live cut has a few of the Muscle Shoals guys. Heard a few funny stories of them playing and touring with Traffic.

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      1. I just really started to explore this album…I posted the title track by request from someone 3-4 years ago but never checked it out…it’s great dude. I really wore side one out with Glad, this one, and Empty Pages.
        I never knew those guys played with Traffic…that is cool…thanks CB

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      2. When I backed away from doing takes it was the “live” music I was listening to that brought me back in. The first cut I did was Steve and Carlos doing ‘Why Can’t We Live Together”. I was drawn to this type of music at a young age and really didnt have a choice, it just appealed to me on so many levels. I think you can imagine the impact that albums like this and Blind Faith had on me. Huge. I still listen to them. A lot. Good to see you pop up on your own station.

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      3. Thanks CB…I’m missing commenting on my blog lol. Dear Mr Fantasy made me a Winwood fan off the bat…that and Gimme Some Lovin…my starting point. This album and Blind Faith do remind me of each other.

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      4. Steve and the rest of the band have given me years of listening enjoyment. Doesnt get any better. You gotta quit posting this shit and I’ll leave you alone. There might even be a flute in a certain Kinks song to be posted.

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      5. Hmmm….I don’t know that one right off the bat. That is intriguing. The flute can rock…
        Hey like the man said…Give the people what they want.

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  4. Traffic – another band with an embarrassment of riches. From the earliest (pre-Traffic) recording I’ve heard, with Winwood channeling Ray Charles, through the old folksong “John Barleycorn”, to the psychedelia of “Low Spark of High-heeled Boys”; they were never easy to pigeon-hole – blue-eyed soul? folk-rock? fusion? Just “Traffic”. All killer, no filler.

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    1. Along with the Kinks this week…I’ve been listening to Traffic…a broader listen. I never knew as much about them…and you are right…it’s hard to pin them which is a great thing.

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    1. I’ve always liked the title track and this week I explored the album more…it’s differrent from their earlier work but still great.

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  10. I pretty much dig most music Steve Winwood has touched. I think he’s the man! 🙂

    “Freedom Rider” was new to me. Chris Wood’s flute action is great. So is his saxophone work! Of course, Winwood’s piano, Hammond and organ are mighty sweet as well.

    In July 2022, I was supposed to see Winwood live, together with Steely Dan. Unfortunately, he had to pull out of the tour (a statement noted “unforeseen circumstances) and was replaced by jazz combo Dave Stryker Trio. They were cool, though I would have preferred Steve who I last saw in March 2018.

    Two weeks ago, he played New York’s Madison Square Garden, sharing the bill with the Doobies. I deliberately ignored that show, and even if I had purchased a ticket, I couldn’t have gone since it feel into the week when I was in Germany. Last week, I couldn’t resist and checked his schedule. But there were no more remaining dates within a reasonably vicinity.

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    1. I do remember you and Dave are pretty big Winwood fans…I agree…anything in any era he does is great. He adapted to the 80s…which as you know isn’t my favorite musical decade but he did great and I loved his songs then.
      That sucks about the concert! Both of them!

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  12. Amazing how long this guys been around. I remember when he really got big in the late 80s with Valerie I think that was it…that chorus got stuck in my head for days back then! lol

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    1. All I knew was the title cut going in…I was in for a great surprise. I’ve heard the songs on and off but never really listened carefully…I really like this album.

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