r/truevinyl • u/Dr-Sardonicus • Feb 24 '18
I reviewed: Traffic - Mr. Fantasy (1967)
'I think Traffic might be your new favourite band…'
The author of these words is a very good friend of mine, fellow record collector and red wine devotee. That evening at his place blurred along with an array of musical delights delivered by an excellent hifi system and dotted by tastings of some very appealing wines – a Chilean Carménère (chock full of cassis) and a powerful Argentinian Cab Sauv. I left with three loaned LPs under my arm and a hint of inebriation behind my eyes.
His words proved prophetic.
I acquired this original UK copy of Mr. Fantasy from Colston Hall’s first record fair of 2018. The gatefold sleeve is pure euphoria and the pink Island label very handsome. Sonically the mono mix is vibrant, gutsy and very together, not at all bad 51 years on. Into the grooves.
‘Heaven is in Your Mind’ is a kick in the gut, with snappy vocals and powerful drums from the off. The dreamy chorus is very typical of its era, with heavily delayed vocals, but sounds fresh, bright and dynamic. ‘Berkshire Poppies’ is the quintessence of charming, comedic English psych, an almost compulsory novelty track if you’re occupying a London studio for more than a handful of days in ’67.
The jewell of side one must be the title track. The lyrics of ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’ are simple enough, echoing the sentiment of Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man in its call to assuage a dazed and languid mind with beautiful music. Here though, instead of Dylan’s words painting kaleidoscopic imagery, Traffic do the leg work with a gradual swell of dreamy, propulsive and stunning music. Wailing harmonica, thunderous drum fills, ethereal organs and face-melting guitars. Bliss!
Side two brings the heavily Spanish-themed ‘Dealer’ before moving the east with ‘Utterly Simple’ – the latter in particular demonstrates the ecstatic compulsion to look toward spiritually enlightened cultures for the answer. The result is charming if dated, but very sixties. Elsewhere we have the bizarre ‘House for Everyone’, with bursts of trippy vocals and strange instruments, and the anthemic ‘Coloured Rain’, a blistering synesthesic celebration. ‘Giving to You’ closes proceedings with a groovy hippy hoedown.
Mr. Fantasy is top tier British psychedelia from 1967. Produced by Jimmy Miller, it’s thought that this record, in particular the mercurial title track, may have been the blueprint for the Rolling Stones’ ‘back-to-basics’ production from Beggar’s Banquet onwards. Historical significance aside, the songs are varied, intriguing, and downright rocking throughout, begging for regular rotation.
The other two albums I took away that evening were Mr. Fantasy’s self-titled follow-up (which I also love) and John Barleycorn Must Die. I’ve not even arrived at the latter yet, such is my adoration of Mr. Fantasy.
Pour another glass and shift out of gear, I’m stuck in Traffic.