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I love the sound of an electric organ. Man, do I love it. The instrument has a definite place in rock history. Imagine how these bands would sound minus the organ’s mood and rich texture: The Doors. The Allman Brothers. Pink Floyd. Even Iron Butterfly.
And then there was Traffic.
Steve Winwood was one of the creative forces of this late ‘60s and early ‘70s supergroup, providing voice, guitar, and keyboards—including organ. What a sound!
Oddly, the cover of Winwood’s latest CD, Nine Lives, only shows him holding a guitar. He’s an inspired vocalist and a talented guitarist, but it’s on Hammond organ that he really soars. One listen to those throaty and vibrant notes, and I was hurtled back to my youth, Traffic tunes playing in my old bulky headphones.
After some very successful years in the ‘80s with more pop-oriented sounds, Winwood has come full circle. The songs here are laid back, but with purpose. It’s a warm sound, friendly, as if recorded in someone’s living room while a fire crackles in the background.
The lead song, “Drowning,” has a bluesy, almost work song quality, sparse and basic. But on “Fly,” the album takes off into a mellow flight of fancy. Having just returned from sunny Florida, I can attest that it’s the perfect music for walking an ocean beach while seabirds whirl overhead.
“Raging Sea” is where the Hammond organ makes its grand entrance, and it’s also where I was first transported to Traffic days. A driving beat with twin rhythm guitars and that gorgeous organ. Perfection.
Winwood’s former bandmate and chum Eric Clapton makes an appearance on “Dirty City.” But it’s a subdued solo, almost lost in the mix—and it doesn’t help that Winwood sings over part of it. Still, it’s a compelling, guitar-heavy number. Lots of organ, too.
“We’re All Looking” takes a jazzy turn, with organ front and center. “Hungry Man” starts with a calypso feel, reminiscent of the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias” before settling into a Latin groove. It’s one of the standout tunes of the CD. Did I mention the Hammond organ?
“At Times We Do Forget” showcases a flute solo that takes me back to…that other, earlier band. Next to organ and bass, flute is my favorite rock instrument, and this track has plenty of it.
Twenty or so listenings in, I’m still finding things to love about Nine Lives. Thoughtful, mature lyrics, all penned by Winwood with a few others. Superb musicianship, playing with depth and feeling. And that warm sound, as if played by a fireplace. I recommend it to organ lovers, any of Winwood’s fans from the last 45 years, and those who want fresh, exciting music that echoes an exciting past. You can’t go wrong with this one.
