“Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory”, released in 1973, was the seventh album and sixth studio album by the band Traffic. It followed their 1971 album “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” and contained five songs. while achieving poorer reviews than its predecessor, the album did reach number six on the American charts, one space higher than “Low Spark” Like its predecessor, the original jacket for the “Shoot Out” LP had its top right and bottom left corners clipped. The album was remastered for CD in 2003.
All songs written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi unless otherwise indicated.
- “Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory” – 6:05
- “Roll Right Stones” – 13:40
- “Evening Blue” – 5:19
- “Tragic Magic” (Chris Wood) – 6:43
- “(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired” – 7:31
After two exemplary releases, Traffic released “Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory”, which begins with the title track, based on a guitar riff reminiscent of the recent Deep Purple hit “Smoke on the Water,” and continues through the lengthy “Roll Right Stones,” the folkish ballad “Evening Blue,” reed player Chris Wood’s instrumental “Tragic Magic,” and the uncertain self-help song “(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired.” Lyricist Jim Capaldi was co-credited with Steve Winwood as the album’s producer, and he may have contributed to the cleaner mix that made his words easier to understand. Meanwhile, the rhythm section had been replaced by Muscle Shoals studio aces David Hood and Roger Hawkins. Capaldi sings no songs here, and Chris Wood’s flute and saxophone, so often the flavouring of Traffic songs, are largely absent. Muscle Shoals rhythm section, Barry Beckett, Roger Hawkins, David Hood along with Jimmy Johnson for contributing their musical skills on this and the live “On The Road” live album that followed.
The Fat Angel Sings 