TRAFFIC John Barleycorn Must Die 2011 Deluxe Edition:

Just in from Amazon UK (with the usual shitty careless packaging) is the 2011 Deluxe 2 CD set of the classic Traffic record, John Barleycorn Must Die.

Disc one is the original album, sans bonuses, newly remastered. Although the last remastering was roundly criticized on the loser boards, I found it to be pretty good, particularly considering it's no great recording to start with. I have a Japanese SHM-CD of that remastering from a few years ago, and truthfully, while there are differences - principally the much more powerful bass of the new version - overall I prefer the SHM-CD, as I find tonality on the new remaster to be not as true, and nowhere is this more so than in the Fender Rhodes sound on Empty Pages. If you don't have this on CD, feel good to get this. If you do, purchase depends on the attractiveness of the second disc.

The prior remaster had two totally lame, unfinished bonus tracks that highly detracted from the experience and which should never have come out. Thankfully, they are not here, but alternate mixes of Every Mothers Son (no big difference) and Stranger To Himself (the electric guitar pushed back in the mix and an acoustic guitar previously barely audible moved up) show that time after time, the right decisions were made originally. There is also an early version of the title track that is different, charming, rougher, and has an organ part that while interesting was wisely omitted for the released take.

Of more interest is the unreleased Live At The Fillmore record here in what must be pretty much it's entirety and intended release configuration. It's not hard to see why it was not released. Honestly, the band as a trio on stage had multiple challenges to overcome, as any bass had to be provided either by Winwood or Wood on organ bass pedals, through Rhodes bass, or other contrivances. This is a major impediment, and though the performances are spirited, they are a bit rough and thin, and soon after this, Traffic dealt with the issue by expanding their touring lineup. It is an interesting set, though - two cuts, in alternate night performances, were on the prior CD issue. All in all, I like the live set, so I think it's a worthwhile purchase, just don't expect any sonic revelations from the main album.

On a more trivial note, more worthy of the SHTV forum, I thought Universal screwed up the cover by oddly moving the Traffic logo to the top. Take a look and see what I mean - it just looks a bit weird. I'm keeping my SHM-CD though - it has the cover right.