The featured image is the back cover of Traffic’s classic album, The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys. It came out when I was in high school, so I remember all the jokes about woodwind guy Chris Wood’s wood. He’s the lad on the far left in the tight trousers. We thought the Wood’s wood joke was hilarious. You had to be there.

The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys was written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi in 1971. It’s the centerpiece of one of the best albums of the Seventies. Low Spark is a long, dreamy song that was great back then and even better in 2025

We begin with the Traffic studio original followed by a 1972 live performance.

It’s time to break up the inevitable Winwoodiness of this post with a cover by the great Rickie Lee Jones.

We have two versions by co-writer Steve Winwood. The first with his crack band followed by a solo piano pandemic era performance. Steve helped keep us sane during the lockdown. Thanks, man.

It’s jam band time with Widespread Panic:

Finally, a version by Toto lead guitar player Steve Lukather or as he’s known in my house, Mr. Where’s My Fucking Yacht?

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without an instrumental version of the week’s tune? This time, The Michael Udelson Trio.

That’s it for this week. I don’t know about you, but I need a stiff drink in anticipation of the inauguration. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.