Welcome To The Canteen - TRAFFIC****

Medicated Goo/Sad & Deep As You/40000 Headmen/Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave/Dear Mr Fantasy/Gimme Some Lovin'

Welcome To The Canteen was a live Traffic album recorded at the Fillmore East in November 1970. It was credited to individual performers rather than the group, and features the temporary return of Dave Mason. (US:26)

“I could listen to this album non stop for days. The fact that Dave Mason provides a couple of his solo songs build it up even more. The production is perfect for a live album from the early 70s and the selection of songs reflects the band at their prime. If you like your music live, this is a must have.”

“For me, Dear Mr. Fantasy is the essential track. I'm not usually a big fan of extended jams with wild solo flights, but this one works for me. The band keeps picking up steam, building the intensity, and Mason does a nice job pacing his solos so they don't all sound the same. This is a living, breathing version that destroys the preciousness of the original. It's easily the most powerful track Traffic ever put on record. The first four tracks are more alive than their studio counterparts as well.”

“Nothing beats a good live recording of a good band live and this is one of those. Lead guitar is very smooth and occasionally the keyboards soar. They were a very smooth band and that comes across on this recording.”

“I think it's a very tight set with a great choice of songs. Although Dave Mason had left the band, for some odd reason he still toured with them, and lends two songs Sad & Deep and Shouldn't Have Taken which work into Traffic's jam perfectly here.”

“Winwood is in excellent form, however the presence of Dave Mason seems to make a difference. In my view Traffic were better with Mason in the band. His guitar playing is excellent and he provides an interesting contrast to Winwood's organ. Mason brought with him two very good songs from his recent solo album.”

“One of the great live albums of the seventies. I picked this up almost as an afterthought and it turned out to be one of my favourite Traffic records.”

“Two of the more intriguing tracks on this disc are the Dave Mason compositions. Both are stellar works fresh from his solo debut album. It's marvellous to hear Dave perform these songs so near to their inception, and with such a fine line-up of backing musicians. The tempo is slow, but the emotion is high on each.”