Wood died in 1983 at age 39 from pneumonia & Capaldi died at age 60 in 2005 from cancer. In 1971 “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” came out followed by two live albums & three more studio records before the group broke up in 1974. That year the group released “John Barleycorn Must Die” which features today’s song. He went on to join the supergroup, Blind Faith, the same year but when that group failed to stay together after only one album, he reunited with Traffic in 1970 as a trio since Mason did not return. The group disbanded in 1969 when Mason & Winwood left, the former for artistic differences and the latter with no explanation. Fantasy” was released in December, their self-titled follow-up came out in 1968 & featured the Mason penned hit, “Feelin’ Alright”. When the band Traffic formed in England in 1967 it was as a quartet: Jim Capaldi (vocalist, drummer & lyricist), Dave Mason (vocals, songwriter & guitars), Steve Winwood (songwriter, organ & blue-eyed soul master vocalist) and Chris Wood (a multi-instrumentalist who played saxophone, flute, keyboards & bass as well as contributing to the vocals and songwriting duties). And if this helps anyone else, even better. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer.

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today? Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing. Traffic: “ Empty Pages” (written by Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood). Whatever new chapter we are starting to write for ourselves this year, it will start the same way as the others-with a blank page. The chance to write or tell any story we wish within the parameters of what life has in store for us. One of the best parts of a new year is the feeling of a clean slate in front of us. It has always been one of my favorites, it belonged to my most loved NY Islander (Bobby Nystrom), it was Jack Shephard’s number on “ Lost” and he saved the island (if you have never seen the show you need to binge it NOW-it is unbelievably fabulous). I do not like to have expectations, but I have always thought of 23 as a good number. To paraphrase John Lennon, let’s hope this new year is a good one.

Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Traffic band