The Best of Steve Winwood - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection [Best of]

The Spencer Davis Group was the muscle car, the GTO of 1960's rock and roll, and the only Winwood band to produce music suitable to Top-40 radio. Their two biggest hits, both from 1967, 'Gimme Some Lovin' (charting out at #7), and 'I'm a Man' (#9) are included here. Both songs feature guitar and organ riffs reminisent of a runaway locomotive, and both feature no less than 6 percussionists adding to the barely controlled din, including 3 future members of Traffic: Dave Mason (at that time a roadie for the band), Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. It is hard to believe that Winwood was only 19 years old and a 5 year veteran of The Spencer Davis Group when these songs were recorded. Not surprisingly rhythm guitarist Davis consented to a modification of the band's name after the success of these two songs: The Spencer Davis Group featuring Steve Winwood.

But most of the songs on 'Millennium' are drawn from the progressive rock produced by Winwood's second band, Traffic. It is hard to argue with the selections here, beginning with 'Paper Sun' (the band's most successful US single, topping out at number 74, though in the UK it rose to #5) and 'Dear Mr. Fantasy' from late 1967, and '40,000 Headmen' and 'Pearly Queen' from late 1968. The two former songs were prototypes in the emergence of acid-rock, simultaneously pioneered by artists such as The Beatles, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, and Jimi Hendrix. 'Pearly Queen' has become a rock classic in its own right, and perhaps the most covered Winwood song ever.

Winwood broke with Traffic briefly in 1969 to team with future Traffic bassist Rick Grech and two-thirds of Cream, Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, to form the short-lived 'supergroup' Blind Faith. Two of Winwood's best compositions from that band's only release are included here, 'Had To Cry Today', which climaxes in a captivating mix of guitar virtuosity from Clapton and Winwood, and the soft and thoughtful 'Can't Find My Way Home'.

The collection concludes with selections from Winwood's second stint with Traffic. First up are two selections from the 'John Barleycorn Must Die' album, 'John Barleycorn' himself, and the classic 'Empty Pages' (the band's only other US single, stopping dead at #94). If I was given my druthers, I would have chosen 'Freedom Rider' rather than 'John Barleycorn' from the 'John Barleycorn...' album, but given the emphasis on Traffic's epic rock numbers here, the selection of the melodious 'John Barleycorn' is understandable. Further, the song has lyrics penned by poet Robert Burns in the 18th Century, based on a character created by Jack London, lending it historical interest. 'John Barleycorn' was the first American novel to explore the tribulations of alcoholism.

The last song on the CD may be the best known of all Traffic recordings, 'Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys', with lyrics penned by Capaldi (and inspired by 'Bonnie and Clyde' actor Michael J. Pollard) and music by Winwood. Like many Traffic recordings, the lyrics of 'Low Spark...' are steeped in the symbolism characteristic of good psychedelia. Winwood's taste for challenging lyrical content actually harkens back to some of his earliest compositions. Consider this line from 'I'm a Man': "If I had my choice of matter, I would rather be with cats, all engrossed in mental chatter, showing where our minds are at". If you've been around since the 60's and haven't 'gotten it' yet, the stylings of Winwood's imaginative mind may elude you. So be forewarned, but hopefully tuned into, this impressive collection.

PROS:
-This compilation has Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, and Traffic material, meaning you get several hits. Among these are I'm a Man, Gimme Some Lovin', Paper Sun, and Dear Mr. Fantasy.
-This is an affordable compilation, making it ideal for the casual fan on a budget.

CONS:
-WHY IS THERE NO SOLO MATERIAL ON THIS DISC!? Higher Love and Roll With It are masterpieces, and I can't forgive their omissions.
-The CD doesn't fill the eighty minute time limit. This means they had plenty of room to put solo material on here.

OVERALL:
This is a decent compilation, but there are sure to be better ones out there. And needless to say, better ones are probably on the way. Get this if you find it for a good price, but don't spend too much!