Traffic – John Barleycorn Must Die (Vinyl, LP, Album, 1970, United Artists Records UAS 5504, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold)

Why This Record Matters
John Barleycorn Must Die marked Traffic’s return after the group’s initial breakup, developing from sessions Steve Winwood originally began as a solo project before Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood rejoined him. The album moves between jazz-rock, progressive rock, blues, and English folk influences on tracks including “Glad,” “Freedom Rider,” “Empty Pages,” and the traditional title song. Produced by Winwood and Chris Blackwell, it became a key early-1970s Traffic album and showcases the group’s instrumental interplay in an unusually compact six-track program.

Collector Note
This 1970 U.S. United Artists UAS 5504 edition is a Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman pressing housed in a gatefold sleeve. The supplied deadwax carries the inverted stamped “P” associated with Pitman on both sides, with UAS5504-1 scribed on Side A and UAS5504-B on Side B; Side A also carries the “Bat.” signature. This pressing uses the black-and-orange United Artists label variation with songwriter names printed on the labels, providing additional identification among the different U.S. UAS 5504 pressings.

Availability
Single copy available—once it's gone, it's gone.

Condition & Details
Media: VG
Sleeve: VG+

Technical Details
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold
Label: United Artists Records – UAS 5504
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: Jazz, Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Blues Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz-Rock

Matrix / Runout
Side A: p(stamped/inverted) UAS5504-1(scribed)
Side B: p(stamped/inverted) UAS5504-B(scribed)
Side A Deadwax Signature: Bat.

Tracklist
Side A
A1 Glad – 6:30
A2 Freedom Rider – 6:02
A3 Empty Pages – 4:45
Side B
B1 Stranger To Himself – 4:05
B2 John Barleycorn – 6:20
B3 Every Mother's Son – 7:05

Shipping & Handling
Ultrasonically cleaned using a Degritter Mark II prior to shipping.
Stored in protective inner and outer sleeves.
Shipped with vinyl protection and cardboard reinforcement.
Packed securely for safe delivery.

About Maple City Music
Maple City Music is a veteran-owned record store in Vermont focused on honest grading, fair pricing, and high-quality media. Every item is carefully inspected, cleaned, and prepared so it arrives exactly as described.