The songs, from Traffic, Last Exit and Barleycorn, sound jazzier and looser, with the “Glad/Freedom Rider” medley ending things on a climatic note. John Barleycorn Must Die is the fourth studio album by English rock band Traffic, released in 1970 as Island ILPS 9116 in the United Kingdom, United Artists UAS 5504 in the United States, and as Polydor 2334 013 in Canada. Later albums like The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys moved into a mellow jazz-rock direction before Traffic split in 1974. The sound here highlights the feel of an intimate venue and the performances are first rate. After Mason's departure, Traffic reformed for 1970's folky John Barleycorn Must Die. The live tracks from the Fillmore East, New York on November 18 were originally planned for a live album that was scrapped in favor of Welcome to the Canteen and have been often bootlegged. The Deluxe Edition includes alternate mixes of “Stranger to Himself” and “Every Mother’s Son” and the first version of the English Folk title cut that’s as beautiful as the official recording. Traffic were top-notch musicians who happened to have Steve Winwood and his golden throat as their ultimate weapon. Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood were fearless in their exploration, beginning the album with the seven-minute instrumental “Glad” to give listeners an idea of their uncompromising nature. Originally intended as Steve Winwood’s first solo album, John Barleycorn Must Die went down as the one of the reformed group’s finest creations.
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