TRAFFIC
John Barleycorn Must Die
On this day in music history: July 2, 1970 - “John Barleycorn Must Die”, the fourth album by Traffic is released. Produced by Chris Blackwell, Steve Winwood and Guy Stevens, it is recorded at Island Studios and Olympic Studios in London from February - April 1970. Originally intended to be his first solo album (tentatively titled “Mad Shadows”) after the break up of Blind Faith, Steve Winwood begins work on the project in early 1970. Winwood invites his former band mates Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi to record with him, resulting in Traffic reuniting (minus guitarist Dave Mason) almost two years after the bands split. Though the album receives mixed reviews from critics (mostly noting Mason’s absence), it becomes Traffic’s highest charting album in the US, with the tracks “Glad”, “Freedom Rider” and “Empty Pages” becoming album rock radio staples. “Barleycorn” is reissued three times on CD over the years, first being released in the format in 1990. It is subsequently remastered in 1999 with five bonus tracks, and again in 2011 as double CD Deluxe Edition with the second disc including alternate mixes and live tracks. The album is also reissued on 180 gram vinyl in 2007 as part of Universal’s “Back To Black” reissue series. The vinyl LP subsequently reissued in 2008 and 2010. “John Barleycorn Must Die” peaks at number five on the Billboard Top 200, number eleven on the UK album chart, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
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John Barleycornappeared in the Journal of Folk Song Society Volume VIII, 41. It was printed in the reign of James I but is said to be much older. There were several 17th century broadsides of the song. It was well-known throughout England. Variants from Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Somerset and Wiltshire were published in the Journal of Folk Song Society.
The ballad relates the tale of the Corn King, or Corn-God. According to James George Frazier's The Golden Bough*, the Corn King was selected from the men of the tribe, treated as a king for a year, then at a pre-set time, danced the corn maze and was killed. His body was then dragged through the fields so the blood would run in the furrows and make the barley grow. Afterwards, he himself may have been eaten.
* a favourite book
John Barleycornappeared in the Journal of Folk Song Society Volume VIII, 41. It was printed in the reign of James I but is said to be much older. There were several 17th century broadsides of the song. It was well-known throughout England. Variants from Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Somerset and Wiltshire were published in the Journal of Folk Song Society.
The ballad relates the tale of the Corn King, or Corn-God. According to James George Frazier's The Golden Bough*, the Corn King was selected from the men of the tribe, treated as a king for a year, then at a pre-set time, danced the corn maze and was killed. His body was then dragged through the fields so the blood would run in the furrows and make the barley grow. Afterwards, he himself may have been eaten.
* a favourite book
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