Traffic Feelin' Alright

Traffic was one of my all time favorite bands of the 60s and 70s and it is normally characterized by Steve Winwood’s involvement; however, Dave Mason made a sizable contribution to their music – if you were lucky enough to catch him in the band.

Mason was in the band at three different stages. He was present during the first album “Mr. Fantasy” and left the band prior to the album’s American release and hence is not depicted on the cover. He rejoined Traffic during the recording of the second LP (where his is on the cover) – only later to leave. He was also featured on the album “Last Exit,” an album of left over recordings released after the band broke up the first time. He finally rejoined the band during the “Welcome the Canteen” tour and was featured on that live album – and then he was finally gone like will-o'-the-wisp.

While the Joe Cocker remake of “Feelin’ Alright” is arguably the most famous and the one that most other covers copy, I thought it might be nice to feature the original by Mason and Traffic. Mason plays guitar and sings lead on this version. Steve Winwood is on piano, bass, and backing vocals. The late Chris Wood contributed the killer tenor sax and back-up vocals. Drums, percussion, and background vocals are handled by the late Jim Capaldi.


Traffic’s original version of “Feelin’ Alright” only made it to #123 on the American charts; and hence,  it is our Saturday “Bubbling Under” hit.