By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR When it comes to bands that helped define British rock in the 1960s, Traffic looms large. The band, which initially included Steve Winwood (who hit it big previously in the Spencer Davis Group with “Gimme Some Loving”), Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi, and Dave Mason, created a sound that echoed throughout subsequent bands in the 1960s and 1970s. Launched in 1966, they released a couple of trippy singles before pulling together the seminal album, “Mr. Fantasy,” followed by their sophomore effort, simply titled “Traffic.” The band continued for many years after those tnitial works, but Mason officially departed the band after “Traffic” (with a brief touring return after). Over the years, Mason (who was in Connecticut this week for a Jan. 16 gig at the Infinity Hall in Norfolk) hooked up with some of the leading lights of the music scene of the late 1960s-early 1970s. Names such as George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Mama Cass, and more dot his musical resume. He also saw his songwriting inspire other artists. In particular, his song “Feelin’ Alright” has been performed by artist after artist including a seminal performance by British belter Joe Cocker. Later, Mason established [...]
By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR When it comes to bands that helped define British rock in the 1960s, Traffic looms large. The band, which initially included Steve Winwood (who hit it big previously in the Spencer Davis Group with “Gimme Some Loving”), Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi, and Dave Mason, created a sound that echoed throughout subsequent bands in the 1960s and 1970s. Launched in 1966, they released a couple of trippy singles before pulling together the seminal album, “Mr. Fantasy,” followed by their sophomore effort, simply titled “Traffic.” The band continued for many years after those tnitial works, but Mason officially departed the band after “Traffic” (with a brief touring return after). Over the years, Mason (who was in Connecticut this week for a Jan. 16 gig at the Infinity Hall in Norfolk) hooked up with some of the leading lights of the music scene of the late 1960s-early 1970s. Names such as George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Mama Cass, and more dot his musical resume. He also saw his songwriting inspire other artists. In particular, his song “Feelin’ Alright” has been performed by artist after artist including a seminal performance by British belter Joe Cocker. Later, Mason established [...]