Had a discussion with a co-worker the other day about Traffic. He thinks the second incarnation -- John Barleycorn Must Die, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys -- is better than the original group. I like, but don't love, Mr. Fantasy (Heaven Is In Your Mind in the US), and the self-titled album, but haven't listened to much else, honestly.

What's your favorite Traffic album?

"low spark" by far. the pinnacle of their existence for me, but i also do like everything else they did too.

Probably "Low Spark" but it could be "Barleycorn".

Probably Barleycorn, but it could be Low Spark.

1. Low Spark
2. Welcome To The Canteen

Traffic (self-titled), followed very closely by Barleycorn and/or Low Spark.

+1

I actually like 'em all, with the possible exception of Far from Home

1)...Barleycorn
2) Low Spark
3)Mr Fantasy

I think Low Spark is dragged down a bit by "Rainmaker", which is why I've got it second to Barleycorn.
Over the years, I've gotten to like When the Eagle Flies quite a bit.

The 1st 2 Traffic albums from 1967-1968 are my favorites.

John Barleycorn - also love the 1st 2 lps

1. Low Spark
1(a). John Barleycorn
1(b). Welcome to the Canteen

What can I say? I'm a wuss.

The US version of Mr. Fantasy/Heaven Is In Your Mind.....with the split Paper Sun.

Low Spark spent a lot of time on my turntable during the vinyl era, but I have to confess that the Smiling Phases collection has been my go-to Traffic release since the mid-90's.

John Barleycorn Must Die is one of my favorite albums of all time

Like Geff, I enjoy all of Traffic's albums. Lately I have been really liking the DVD "Live at Santa Monica"

Barleycorn is an album I can listen to anytime. Great.

John Barleycorn Must Die is a desert island disc for me. Back in my keyboard playing days "Empty Pages" was a group staple.

Rick A.

Rick, you must have been a very good player.

Low Spark. Though I listen to Last Exit quite a bit too.

I just picked up John Barleycorn Must Die and Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. Haven't had a chance to do more than sample them yet. I'll report back after I get a good listen. Thanks to everybody for posting, and keep 'em coming. It's really great to get some opinions from fellow music lovers when you're exploring uncharted waters.

You've got the two winners from my point of view. Now if you could just go back to 1970/1971 and listen to them in context. They're both unique works of art still today, but they stood out even more back then. Low Spark was one of those "Whoa, what is that!?!" moments that kind of started with Abbey Road and went Close to the Edge toward the Dark Side of the Moon. But if I can only take one Traffic album with me to that desert island, I'm probably picking John Barleycorn, if I must. (Both discs are also great headphone albums BTW. Low Spark is also an exceptional sittin-in-the-dark-after-midnight album. And you don't have to get up and flip it over.)