here is the info file from Dime
Traffic
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Sessions-Liberated Boot
Olympic Studios
London, UK
1971-xx-xx
Steve Winwood-vox, keys, guitar
Jim Capaldi-vox, percussion
Chris Wood-reeds, flute
Rick Grech-bass
Jim Gordon-drums
Reebop-percussion
1-Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
2-Rock and Roll Stew
3-Rainmaker
4-Rock and Roll Stew (UK 45 version officially released-not included)
5-Light Up or Leave Me Alone
6-Jam 1
7-Jam 2 with horns
8-Jam 3 with horns
9-It’s So Hard 1 (Capaldi and Gordon)
10-It’s So Hard 2
11-Easter Weekend 1 (Capaldi)
12-Easter Weekend 2
Lineage- Liberated Boot “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Sessions” purchased several years ago> EAC disc extraction> TLH Wav to flac formatting> TLH torrent creation> DIME
I seeded a series of 1970 BBC John Barleycorn era recordings from the Freedom Rider boot a few weeks ago, and that got a pretty positive response. Here’s something else of equal quality that just takes things a few months later into 1971.
My guess is that this might’ve been here on DIME in the past, but I bought it in my pre-DIME and pre-trading days. I’ve left out a track because a better version of it was officially released and appreared on the last issue of the Low Spark cd.
What follows is a description of this from the Winwood fans site. My boot was not on the OMS Reel Recordings “label”, but was a no-name version. Thanks to whoever took the time there to write this following description up:
“Traffic: The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Sessions: 1971
OMS Reel Recordings, Mexico. This is billed as out takes from the Low Spark studio sessions, thought it seems to have other stuff as well. The sound quality is excellent except for the alternate mix “Rock & Roll Stew” extended version which is curiously distorted. 12 tracks pretty much suitable for die hard fans only:
1) Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, alternate take 2/9/71. Not really that different from the real version except that Chris Wood’s electric sax is replaced by lethargic noodling.
2) “Rock & Roll Stew” alternate take, 5/19/71. Same words & progression as the actual take but the feel of the song is completely different. Almost a different song entirely. Interesting to see how the song evolved over 3 months time.
3) “Rainmaker” Different take 5/19/71. Pretty much what it says.
4) “Rock & Roll Stew” different mix 8/25/71. This is (I guess) the full version from the English 45. As mentioned above, it is somewhat distorted (overmodulated) though certainly listenable. The instrumental ending not included on the album version is not particularly memorable. If this is indeed the extended 45 version, you haven’t missed much.
5) “Light Up or Leave me Alone” different take 8/25/71. Mostly, the difference is Capaldi vocalizing a bit during the instrumental sections.
6) Jam #1, take 2. Personnel not really listed but it sounds like Winwood, Gordon & Grech sounding sorta like Blind Faith. Interesting take but just a jammy thing.
7 & 8) Jam #2 & 3 w/Muscle Shoals Horns. Not sure who’s playing what beyond the obvious. The rhythm section certainly seems to be the Alabamy boys and I’d bet on Winwood on guitar and maybe organ. Shoot Out meets a horn section.
9 & 10) “It’s So Hard” Capaldi & Gordon. Capaldi & (Gordon) playing acoustic guitar, fleshing out the song. For die hard fans only.
11 & 12) “Easter Weekend” Same as above.”
Please do support these musicians by purchasing their commercially available releases, and by paying to see them live. Steve Winwood is touring the US as I write this.