Best Recording of Traffic: Low Spark


I have just about worn out my copy of this great LP (Polygram's 1990 release of the original 1971 recording). I can't seem to find an "audiophile" pressing, and only a very limited supply of the Polygram release.

Is their a better pressing of this album? For God's sake, i hope i don't have to go to digital. The intro of the percusion at the beginning of Low Spark of High Heeled Boys has to be one of the greatest moments in recorded music!
jeffreybowman2k
that web site 'better records' is of the opinion that the original island pressing is better than the mo-fi. I have both and can see his point; the mo-fi has less 'edge'. if I were you I'd just go to a used record store and find a good clean copy - they're easy to find and cheap.
I have one for sale here. It is the MFSL pressing and it is marvelous!

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?softrock&1176646774&item
Jeffreybowman2k,

I'm not sure about the best pressing, but I can tell you this: I own both an original 1971 LP and the Smiling Phases compilation on CD, and there's no comparison on my system - the LP wins hands down. When they shake the "tree" in the intro about 15 seconds before the vocals start, the LP gives me goosebumps; the CD sounds like they hit it against the wall.

On a side note, in the mid-90s I got to see Steve Winwood and Reebop Kwaku Baah touring as Traffic in Salem, OR. They played Glad, Freedom Rider and Low Spark back to back to back, and I'd have paid the entire ticket price just for those 20 minutes.

David
"Better Records" According to who? I have bought records from this seller. I kindly asked him to stop sending emails. Way overpriced. The MFSL copy of Low Spark is killer!
johnjbarlow: thanks for advice. i will be in touch.

armstrod: that's the moment (shaking the "tree") that i am talking about. that is my favorite moment of recorded music -- and i have only listened to it on vinyl. when i get new/upgraded equipment, that's the first thing i play to test the difference. you are lucky indeed to have seen that performed live.