Steve Winwood Fans' Site: Winwood for Dummies

Okay, so you have this friend - uh, yeah! A friend! That's it! - who, having been mysteriously entombed down an old mine-shaft for the last 35 years, has never heard of Steve Winwood; he needs an education. So you agree to make him a 90-minute tape from your vast collection of Winwood's recordings. You could make him 2 or 3 tapes, but you don't want to try his patience - just 'hook' him. So what songs should you put on it? Here's your answer!
We're not describing a 'greatest hits' collection here, nor a selection of favorites (for that, see the Most Beloved Songs page), but a history of sorts, a collection of the most important works in Winwood's oeuvre. As always, email me with your thoughts, corrections, additions, or outrage at the absence of what you think is important.

A-side: (1964-1976)
Song: From: Year: Length: Justification:
Dimples most SDG compilations 1964 2.18 Sheesh, the kid was 15 when he covered this old standard.
Gimme Some Lovin' almost any SDG compilation 1967 2.53 SW has said he's tired of people asking him about his covering "this old Blues Brothers song", so let's give credit where credit is due.
Dear Mr Fantasy Mr Fantasy 1968 5.39 A classic from the first Traffic album. Stream-of-consciousness kinda druggy song.
You Can All Join In Traffic 1968 3.34 A sample of Dave Mason's pop influence.
Can't Find My Way Home Blind Faith 1969 3.17 Quintessential Blind Faith.
John Barleycorn John Barleycorn Must Die 1970 6.20 The folk-influence and pure flute of Chris Wood.
Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys 1971 11.43 Can't make a Traffic tape without this.
Walking in the Wind When the Eagle Flies 1974 6.51 From Traffic's last incarnation. A little cynical, but gentle.
Crossing the Line (the studio, not the live version) Stomu Yamashta's Go 1976 4.46 This represents the interim, session-man period between the break-up of Traffic and SW's solo career. Powerful vocals seem to illustrate his increasing self-confidence.

Total: 47.31 Most tapes have a couple fudge-factor minutes on 'em.

B-side: (1977-1997)
Song: From: Year: Length: Justification:
Midland Maniac Steve Winwood 1977 8.26 Steve's first completely-solo song - written, sung, all instruments, engineered, produced.
While You See a Chance Arc of a Diver 1980 5.13 After the first solo album stiffed, Steve almost resolved to hang up his career. This song and album signaled his resolve to give it one more chance, giving everything he had, on a completely-solo album.
Higher Love Back in the High Life 1986 5.45 I know, it's a cliché, but it was SW's first #1 hit, too. The duet with Chaka Khan and the participation of 8 session musicians marked the end of the completely-solo work on the previous 2 albums.
The Morning Side Roll With it 1988 5.14 This song symbolizes SW's escape from the 'tunnel' and the major changes current in his life.
In the Light of Day Refugees of the Heart 1990 9.35 Evidence of increasing spiritual concerns, and of talent on an unusual instrument - vibraphones.
Nowhere Is Their Freedom Far From Home 1994 8.33 The closest we'll ever get to a true Traffic reunion - the flute was 'sampled' from old tapes of Chris Wood's work.
Gotta Get Back to My Baby Junction 7 1997 4.52 A sorta world-music thing. Is this the direction Steve's heading in? Who knows what tomorrow may bring!

Total: 47.39

After your 'friend' has heard this hypothetical tape, he will undoubtedly rush out to buy every album in Winwood's back catalogue, don't you think?

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My thanks for the idea and the fabulous title of this page go to Jen!
I'm not crazy about the yellow background either, but this is the color of the book series.
Page created January 24, 1998.
Last updated February 4, 1998.
Copyright

A-side: (1964-1976)
Song:	From:	Year:	Length:	Justification:
Dimples	most SDG compilations	1964	2.18	Sheesh, the kid was 15 when he covered this old standard.
Gimme Some Lovin'	almost any SDG compilation	1967	2.53	SW has said he's tired of people asking him about his covering "this old Blues Brothers song", so let's give credit where credit is due.
Dear Mr Fantasy	Mr Fantasy	1968	5.39	A classic from the first Traffic album. Stream-of-consciousness kinda druggy song.
You Can All Join In	Traffic	1968	3.34	A sample of Dave Mason's pop influence.
Can't Find My Way Home	Blind Faith	1969	3.17	Quintessential Blind Faith.
John Barleycorn	John Barleycorn Must Die	1970	6.20	The folk-influence and pure flute of Chris Wood.
Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys	Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys	1971	11.43	Can't make a Traffic tape without this.
Walking in the Wind	When the Eagle Flies	1974	6.51	From Traffic's last incarnation. A little cynical, but gentle.
Crossing the Line (the studio, not the live version)	Stomu Yamashta's Go	1976	4.46	This represents the interim, session-man period between the break-up of Traffic and SW's solo career. Powerful vocals seem to illustrate his increasing self-confidence.
		Total:	47.31	Most tapes have a couple fudge-factor minutes on 'em.

B-side: (1977-1997)
Song:	From:	Year:	Length:	Justification:
Midland Maniac	Steve Winwood	1977	8.26	Steve's first completely-solo song - written, sung, all instruments, engineered, produced.
While You See a Chance	Arc of a Diver	1980	5.13	After the first solo album stiffed, Steve almost resolved to hang up his career. This song and album signaled his resolve to give it one more chance, giving everything he had, on a completely-solo album.
Higher Love	Back in the High Life	1986	5.45	I know, it's a cliché, but it was SW's first #1 hit, too. The duet with Chaka Khan and the participation of 8 session musicians marked the end of the completely-solo work on the previous 2 albums.
The Morning Side	Roll With it	1988	5.14	This song symbolizes SW's escape from the 'tunnel' and the major changes current in his life.
In the Light of Day	Refugees of the Heart	1990	9.35	Evidence of increasing spiritual concerns, and of talent on an unusual instrument - vibraphones.
Nowhere Is Their Freedom	Far From Home	1994	8.33	The closest we'll ever get to a true Traffic reunion - the flute was 'sampled' from old tapes of Chris Wood's work.
Gotta Get Back to My Baby	Junction 7	1997	4.52	A sorta world-music thing. Is this the direction Steve's heading in? Who knows what tomorrow may bring!
		Total:	47.39