Compared to his recorded legacy with Traffic, Jim Capaldi’s solo work has often been overlooked. His first three albums for Island Records – ‘Oh How We Danced’, ‘Whale Meat Again’ and ‘Short Cut Draw Blood’ – were given the opportunity for re-appraisal in 2020 when Cherry Red Records released a box set containing all three albums, plus a selection of welcomed extra materials. Good news for physical format buyers, but it left digital purchasers and serial streamers short, since 1975’s ‘Short Cut Draw Blood’ was omitted from digital services.
That’s set to change on February 26th, when the cult classic will appear on all digital and streaming platforms for the first time. Capaldi’s most successful solo recording, the album spawned two hit singles in ‘Love Hurts’ and ‘It’s All Up To You’, setting Jim up for post-Traffic solo success. His fame would quickly be eclipsed by bandmate Steve Winwood’s solo career, but ‘Short Cut Draw Blood’ remains loved by a cult audience. Hopefully its addition to digital platforms will open new ears.
A full press release regarding the digital roll out (including a link to a clip from The Old Grey Whistle Test) follows.
You can also read a review of Jim’s solo debut ‘Oh How We Danced’ here and watch Traffic live at Woodstock ’94 here.
***
Capaldi was a major figure on the British rock scene from the 1960s into the new millennium; achieving stardom both as a founding member of Traffic – one of Britain’s most iconic and influential bands, and successful solo artist who collaborated with some of the most prestigious artists of his day.
I remember going down to the cottage in Berkshire to jam with him. The arrival of Traffic’s songs and the imagery of Jim Capaldi’s lyrics drove forward and then ahead on a vast surge of beautiful hope and other worldliness” – Robert Plant
Whilst Capaldi was most recognized as drummer in Traffic, he was also one of the group’s principal songwriters alongside Steve Winwood, co-writing hits including ‘Paper Sun’ and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, Capaldi was also the recipient of 5 ASCAP and BMI Awards.
“a great poet songwriter and musician. I am proud to have been his writing partner on so many songs” – Steve Winwood
Short Cut Draw Blood was Jim’s first album recorded after the breakup of Traffic. The album marked a major turning point in his career with its heterogenous influences of African- Jazz, Funk and Latin, also proving his worth as a visionary writer and lyricist. The album was a commercial success too, with two top 30 UK hit singles; It’s All Up to You (#27) and Love Hurts (#4).
Sounding equally fresh and current today, Jim’s keen socio-politically conscious themes are just as poignant now as they were over 40 years ago. Here’s Jim performing title track Short Cut Draw Blood and Goodbye Love in an extra special appearance in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1975, introduced by none other than ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris https://bit.ly/2LVAXAa
Recorded between 1974-75 at the illustrious Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Sheffield, Alabama and Island Studios, London, the album included a heavy Traffic contingent including Steve Winwood and Chris Wood, Rebop and Rosko Gee with a stellar cast of guest musicians.
Following his death in 2005 several tributes in celebration of Capaldi’s life and music came out under the name ‘Dear Mr Fantasy’. The first was a tribute concert; ‘Dear Mr Fantasy: a celebration for Jim Capaldi’, at the Roundhouse, Camden, on Sunday January 21, 2007 with performances from Steve Winwood, Cat Stevens, Bill Wyman, Paul Weller, Joe Walsh, Jon Lord, Gary Moore, Simon Kirke and Pete Townshend.
Pre-order the album ‘Short Cut Draw Blood’ out Feb 26th on Island Records here; https://umusic.digital/scdb-presave
Stream and download Jim Capaldi’s current singles and more on your preferred platform here: https://jimcapaldi.lnk.to/SCDB
Spotify Artist Link http://bit.ly/JimCapaldiSpotify