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Traffic — 40,000 Headmen (Live)
Album: Welcome To The Canteen
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1634









Released: 1971
Length: 6:10
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Forty thousand headmen couldn't make me change my mind
If I had to take the choice between the deafman and the blind
I know just where my feet should go and that's enough for me
I turned around and knocked them down and walked across the sea

Hadn't traveled very far when suddenly I saw
Three small ships a-sailing out towards a distant shore
So lighting up a cigarette I followed in pursuit
And found a secret cave where they obviously stashed their loot

Filling up my pockets, even stuffed it up my nose
I must have weighed a hundred tons between my head and toes
I ventured forth before the dawn had time to change its mind
And soaring high above the clouds I found a golden shrine

Laying down my treasure before the iron gate
Quickly rang the bell hoping I hadn't come too late
But someone came along and told me not to waste my time
And when I asked him who he was he said, 'Just look behind'

So I turned around and forty thousand headmen bit the dirt
Firing twenty shotguns each and man, it really hurt
But luckily for me they had to stop and then reload
And by the time they'd done that I was heading down the road
Comments (159)add comment
Back in the 1970s I worked a student job at a local factory ... one of the other students had been to South Africa and on his return had managed to germinate and grow some Durban Poison seeds; my purchase of this album coincided with the first ounce of his wonderful product.  Happy daze.
Posted 10 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 bh1 wrote:

Much as I like the song this performance sounds like it was recorded in a high school gym on a cassette deck using the built in mic.



Well that's 1970's recording tech for you. I was listening to Dire Straights "Down to the waterline" here yesterday, and was staggered by the level of noise in the recording (just straight hiss) - and that was recorded in 1978.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that digital hasn't been a massive boon for music recording and reproduction.
Posted 1 year ago by radioparadise38    [ Reply ]
Much as I like the song this performance sounds like it was recorded in a high school gym on a cassette deck using the built in mic.
Posted 1 year ago by bh1    [ Reply ]
This version a bit slower?  Still great...
Posted 2 years ago by jef    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:

Anyone hear "Diamonds and Rust"?



NO, just NO
Posted 2 years ago by gottclay    [ Reply ]
When I learned that my new house-and trip-mates in Boulder had this same record in their vinyl collection as my former E-school buddies, I couldn't seem to celebrate nearly enough! Can't get much more above Standard Orbit than by jamming some good old Traffic!
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 bronorb wrote:

I love this song but I have to say that I like the version by Blood, Sweat and Tears better. Probably because that is the first version I lisetened to. It's worth a listen if you like this one. More dynamics and I think the horns add a lot to the mood of the song.



This!
Posted 3 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

I believe this song was released a few years before "Diamonds and Rust".  The melodies do sound similar in spots (especially both being in minor keys), but the chord progressions are different.
 

The main thing I like about RP, besides the music, is the commenters who seem to really know music. Some have strong technical knowledge, others musical knowledge (and some probably both). Such a trove of wisdom.
Posted 3 years ago by Akazungu    [ Reply ]
 itsme_bygolly wrote:

We've gotten spoiled by all the advances in recording technology. I can edit on a desktop and it will sound better than an entire studio of analog equipment. That said, next to today's standards this recording could really benefit from a remaster.
 

I'm no recording expert, but I was under the impression that a lot of engineers still prefer analog equipment.  Buying up old Pultecs and EMT140s for prices that make me do a double take. People also seem to be going back to tracking more instruments at the same time in the same room. Throwing away the click tracks. We definitely lost something along the way and people are trying to figure out how to go back.
Posted 4 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
Anyone hear "Diamonds and Rust"?
 
Joan Baez in her best soprano.  But she didn't sing thru a soup can.
Posted 4 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
 haresfur wrote:

Or in the Caff on the cover.

I think Traffic would get a lot more praise if the engineering on so many of their albums didn't suck so much.
 
We've gotten spoiled by all the advances in recording technology. I can edit on a desktop and it will sound better than an entire studio of analog equipment. That said, next to today's standards this recording could really benefit from a remaster.
Posted 4 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
First time I've heard this, what a jam!
Posted 4 years ago by SurfDoc    [ Reply ]
 haresfur wrote:

Or in the Caff on the cover.

I think Traffic would get a lot more praise if the engineering on so many of their albums didn't suck so much.
 

There is a Jim Capaldi tribute live album & Joe Walsh sings lead.  Nice version.
I kinda miss my old cassette version of this in my '56 VW.  Don't miss the Vee-Dumpster though.
Posted 5 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
 garyalex wrote:

This sounds like it was recorded in a barrel.  Great tune, though.
 
Or in the Caff on the cover.

I think Traffic would get a lot more praise if the engineering on so many of their albums didn't suck so much.
Posted 5 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
Always double full moon and more.  :D
Posted 5 years ago by taklalaratar    [ Reply ]
A band of future great independent musicians, Steve Winwood, Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood. Great sound.
Posted 5 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
C cool
Posted 5 years ago by beababkro    [ Reply ]
8 to 9.
Posted 7 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
Anyone hear "Diamonds and Rust"?

 
I believe this song was released a few years before "Diamonds and Rust".  The melodies do sound similar in spots (especially both being in minor keys), but the chord progressions are different.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Man that flute and Windwoods voice, still gives me goose bumps 45 years later. 8
Posted 8 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}   one of my fav's by traffic
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
Intriguing lyrics.
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
Anyone hear "Diamonds and Rust"?
 
Every time.
Posted 8 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
Anyone hear "Diamonds and Rust"?
Posted 8 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
saw them play this song during the concert tour stop in Anaheim, California.  Still fond memories of a great concert.
Posted 8 years ago by alaskan_listener    [ Reply ]
 flyboy50 wrote:
Purple Microdot

 
Purple barrels.  Probably some really cheap bathtub stuff, but it did work!
Posted 8 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
{#Guitarist}Thanks Bill
Posted 8 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
The usual rambling stoner mess from these guys! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Posted 9 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
Exactly... Especially from the labs of Dr. Fun in St. Louie & The Chem Boys in Steelville, Missouri - fueled many Two-Day Trip Parties!
——- 
ick wrote:
4 Way Window Pane

Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
4 Way Window Pane
Posted 9 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
This album was a cutout bin favorite. A bargain for fans at $1.99 (when new LPs were $4.00).
Posted 9 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
WHO'S TURN IN THE BARREL ?

 
This sounds like it was recorded in a barrel.  Great tune, though.
Posted 9 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
Huzzah!

 
Bobert_ParkCity wrote:
Now, a lot of you come on here to complain about sonic bombast and insult, but consider this segue:

Live Townes Van Zandt to live Traffic.    Ok, it's TO tp TR, but besides that, also brilliant. And our boy Bill does this ALL THE TIME

Kudos 

 


Posted 9 years ago by jmassoglia    [ Reply ]
White

Blotter......
 

Posted 9 years ago by dickmahoon    [ Reply ]
Now, a lot of you come on here to complain about sonic bombast and insult, but consider this segue:

Live Townes Van Zandt to live Traffic.    Ok, it's TO tp TR, but besides that, also brilliant. And our boy Bill does this ALL THE TIME

Kudos 
Posted 9 years ago by Bobert_ParkCity    [ Reply ]
Purple Microdot
Posted 9 years ago by flyboy50    [ Reply ]
 Rh wrote:
Orange sunshine
 


Posted 9 years ago by xnavy    [ Reply ]
My vinyl collection is small , but includes this classic album from these talented guys.
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Stuck in Traffic, Bill.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Could someone please explain to me why I like this song so much?!
Posted 10 years ago by GTT    [ Reply ]
 dcginc wrote:
#yum!
Welcome to the Canteen is the fifth album by English rock band Traffic. It was recorded live at Fairfield Halls, Croydon and the Oz Benefit Concert, London, July 1971 and released in September of that year. It was recorded during Dave Mason's third stint with the band, which lasted only six performances.

 
Felix Dennis, editor of Oz and benificiary of the OB Concert, died yesterday
Posted 10 years ago by owchita    [ Reply ]
Supremely talented dudes! Genius overflow! Still brings the chills that I first got hearing this at a trip-party in E-School way back when.
Posted 10 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 dcginc wrote:
#yum!
Welcome to the Canteen is the fifth album by English rock band Traffic. It was recorded live at Fairfield Halls, Croydon and the Oz Benefit Concert, London, July 1971 and released in September of that year. It was recorded during Dave Mason's third stint with the band, which lasted only six performances.

 

Posted 10 years ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
{#Sunny} these traffic jams are a pleasure.....

 
..... they certainly are :))
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny} these traffic jams are a pleasure.....
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
#yum!
Welcome to the Canteen is the fifth album by English rock band Traffic. It was recorded live at Fairfield Halls, Croydon and the Oz Benefit Concert, London, July 1971 and released in September of that year. It was recorded during Dave Mason's third stint with the band, which lasted only six performances.
Posted 10 years ago by dcginc    [ Reply ]
Whereas I quite like Fatima in rotation.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Brilliant. That kind of music should be higher in rotation then FATM for example.
Posted 10 years ago by t00lur    [ Reply ]
Whole album is exellent!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Great song, Great performance.  Bad recording.
Posted 10 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano} ...... yes
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
yes............{#Dancingbanana}

 
Uuuhhh Huuuh!!!!     {#Drummer}
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 caregiver wrote:
Acid?

I don't know what you're talking about.  {#Whistle}

 

Posted 11 years ago by Rh    [ Reply ]
Love traffic!
Posted 11 years ago by Rh    [ Reply ]
 Krispian wrote:
Holy hell -- this is a fantastic song!

  play it loud...{#Dance} not one fake note, or " sampled  "crap




Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 caregiver wrote:


I don't know what you're talking about.  {#Whistle}

  WHO'S TURN IN THE BARREL ?


Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
yes............{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Holy hell -- this is a fantastic song!
Posted 11 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
 drictor wrote:

In my neck of the woods at the time they were purple.{#Roflol}


 

Mine were green
Posted 11 years ago by Bozo    [ Reply ]
Never heard this before. Nice....
Posted 11 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
had this disc for years, one of my favs since college.  just picked it up on vinyl a few weeks ago, and man o man does it sound sa-weet  {#Cowboy}
Posted 11 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 whtahtefcuk wrote:
Takes me back to the summer Traffic opened for the Dead... I think I saw Traffic live like 10 times that summer!  Beautifully haunting.
 
That is funny... I made this same comment 2 years ago.  So it goes
Posted 11 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to the summer Traffic opened for the Dead... I think I saw Traffic live like 10 times that summer!  Beautifully haunting.
Posted 11 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Love the song....hate the recording 
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 silby wrote:
I like the studio version of this one better...

More Traffic please!!!
 
I am with you!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
I like the studio version of this one better...

More Traffic please!!!
Posted 12 years ago by silby    [ Reply ]
Timeless
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
just amazing .I'm 14 again.
thanks Bill
Posted 12 years ago by Lichenia,    [ Reply ]
 Encharma wrote:
Oh my my, oh hell yes ...... orange sunshine barrels  on a lazy afternoon in upstate new york .......sigh ....the good ol' days. One of my favorite songs of all time
 

I don't know what you're talking about.  {#Whistle}
Posted 12 years ago by caregiver    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
This song takes me on a journey... I won't go into details, but it involves camels, sand dunes, coveted jewels, and a couple of bad guys.  What a wonderful piece of music - I love Traffic...
 

Good luck on your journey.
Posted 12 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
I can't remember the last time I heard this song. Radio Paradise rocks!
Posted 12 years ago by steveinmaine    [ Reply ]
:)
Posted 12 years ago by kakabliblak    [ Reply ]
Something inside.
Posted 12 years ago by kakabliblak    [ Reply ]
Lovin' this one - never heard it before now!  Thanks once again RP!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Dear Mr fantasy - won't you play more Traffic tunes?
Posted 12 years ago by Bobert_ParkCity    [ Reply ]
Traffic one of the great 70s bands. Chris Woods's flute, haunting. Got the LP when a student in the early 70s.
Posted 12 years ago by Horsechestnut    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
MISTER REBOP KWAKU BAAH!

Plus WINWOOD

PLUS MASON

PLUS THE INCREDIBLE MISTER WOOD

PLUS RICK GRETCH

PLUS CAPALDI!

WHAT A BAND!!!
WOOOOOW

You got that right...
 


Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Great tune, great sound!!!
Posted 12 years ago by ad4tise    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 Encharma wrote:
Oh my my, oh hell yes ...... orange sunshine barrels  on a lazy afternoon in upstate new york .......sigh ....the good ol' days. One of my favorite songs of all time
 
In my neck of the woods at the time they were purple.{#Roflol}

Posted 12 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
very true words gypsyman, very true words. after all these years this tune and this version is still outstanding. 

 gypsyman wrote:

If somebody's gotta explain it to you, you'll never get it.

 


Posted 12 years ago by mfcrowe    [ Reply ]
Never liked the muddy recording.  Pity because I like the track otherwise.
Posted 13 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:
This song takes me on a moderately short journey: hitting the mute button and waiting patiently for it to be over. . . 
 
Sorry you were inconvenienced. Maybe a game of mumbletypeg while you wait...;)


Posted 13 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
This song takes me on a moderately short journey: hitting the mute button and waiting patiently for it to be over. . . 
Posted 13 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Oh my my, oh hell yes ...... orange sunshine barrels  on a lazy afternoon in upstate new york .......sigh ....the good ol' days. One of my favorite songs of all time
Posted 13 years ago by Encharma    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
This song takes me on a journey... I won't go into details, but it involves camels, sand dunes, coveted jewels, and a couple of bad guys.  What a wonderful piece of music - I love Traffic...
 
...keep on goin'..{#Smile}
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
This song takes me on a journey... I won't go into details, but it involves camels, sand dunes, coveted jewels, and a couple of bad guys.  What a wonderful piece of music - I love Traffic...
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Flashback...bong sessions, keggers, G.D.I. Parties, E-School Daze, Windowpane, Conehead, TFG, Click and the gang at The Brown Hole, Kenny B., Jimmy the Greek, H.B., Chuck the Fucker, Crash, Mindy, Elaine, Laura, Tish, Peggy, Janella, Cathy, Kim, Teresa, endless drinking at The Mine Shaft, the Kabuki Lounge, the Wagon Wheel, Two O' Nine, Top Hat; party cruises out to Green Acres, The Cliffs, Lane Springs... and through it all, Traffic was always somewhere in the background...such a rich sound, always lots going on, deep as you want to go, or plenty cool enough to just bop along on the surface...GOOD STUFF!



Posted 13 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Loved this then and still do 40 frigging years later
Posted 13 years ago by egroman    [ Reply ]
Absolutely one of the most transporting songs of the era. Sit, back, maybe a little high, let this song take you places...
LOVE IT!!!
Posted 13 years ago by RideMaine    [ Reply ]
I think it was 94... Traffic opened for the Dead most of the summer... I saw them around 10 times... LOVED THEM LIVE... Wonderful!
Posted 13 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
Despite the many complaints about the recording quality, this sounds fine. You are there! Indeed it may have been an auto body repair shop, but it sounds immediate.
 
And authentic. Winwood impressed me long ago with not just his distinctive vocal timbre but also with use of percussion in his tunes.

Posted 13 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Despite the many complaints about the recording quality, this sounds fine. You are there! Indeed it may have been an auto body repair shop, but it sounds immediate.
Posted 13 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
Excuse me - but TRAFFIC is another league!
A league of their own - I may even say!
 
Quite possibly. To use an English analogy, they'd be in the Unibond League Division 2...

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Cool vibe to this song. I wish I were sitting with them in that photo. {#Cowboy}
Posted 14 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
CHRIS WOOD IS BADLY MISSED!!!!

Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Good to hear this again, somebody hijacked my album years ago..................you know who you are.............
I'm sure I'll attract haters galore on this next statement, but I always liked the BS&T cover of this, always thought it was more fun and more "tongue in cheek".  {#Whistle}
Posted 14 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
 gypsyman wrote:

If somebody's gotta explain it to you, you'll never get it.

 
That's exactly how it was recorded, and its still fantastic. 10

Posted 14 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
This sounds like it was recorded on someone's personal reel-to-reel tape deck with a Realistic microphone...in the back of the room... under a table.
 
If somebody's gotta explain it to you, you'll never get it.

Posted 14 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
I'm not a big fan of Traffic, but this is nice!  I think it would pair very well together with Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan"

 

Excuse me - but TRAFFIC is another league!
A league of their own - I may even say!

Sabbath? A few pranoid-good songs, sure!
But as a whole...?

Cannot and should not be compared to TRAFFIC!

Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
I'm not a big fan of Traffic, but this is nice!  I think it would pair very well together with Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan"

 
Oooo - good call. {#High-five}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
MISTER REBOP KWAKU BAAH!

Plus WINWOOD

PLUS MASON

PLUS THE INCREDIBLE MISTER WOOD

PLUS RICK GRETCH

PLUS CAPALDI!

WHAT A BAND!!!
WOOOOOW

Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
I'm not a big fan of Traffic, but this is nice!  I think it would pair very well together with Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan"

Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
Love Traffic. Love Steve. RIP, Jim and Chris.
 
Me too!!!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
wow, great track.  never heard it before.  thx Bill!
Posted 14 years ago by rage    [ Reply ]
YES  {#Clap}

 h8rhater wrote:
Hey Bill... break out the Medicated Goo!!!
 


Posted 14 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
Hey Bill... break out the Medicated Goo!!!
Posted 14 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
A peculiar song of which I've always been fond. There's a sad feeling about it.
Posted 14 years ago by Anax    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
This sounds like it was recorded on someone's personal reel-to-reel tape deck with a Realistic microphone...in the back of the room... under a table.
 
. . . while holding the mic under their armpit and repeatedly chanting under their breath, "god, please make it stop. . ."

{#Doh}

Posted 14 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
This sounds like it was recorded on someone's personal reel-to-reel tape deck with a Realistic microphone...in the back of the room... under a table.
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Amazing.
Posted 14 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Outstandingly cool y'all! {#Cool}
Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
...this is quite acceptable after animals...
Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite albums!!!  Exellent!!!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
,,and its LIVE !  {#Jump}
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
wowzers!   I think I just had a great flashback!     ;))     And a chaser of Pentangle ....   flippin' cool !  

Posted 15 years ago by gusthemonkey    [ Reply ]
cool
Posted 15 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Traffic albums. Thanks!

Posted 15 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
 wbeaver wrote:
Solid 8 just because Traffic is cool...
 

10 from me............
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Solid 8 just because Traffic is cool...
Posted 15 years ago by wbeaver    [ Reply ]