The song’s construction and content bring to mind Bob Dylan’s ‘Hurricane’.
Former ‘Traffic’ members Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, Rebop Kwaku Baah and Rosko Gee, plus Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section of David Hood, Roger Hawkins & Barry Beckett, Jimmy Johnson and Pete Carr provide weighty grooves and urgency to Capaldi’s verses, all backed by some electrifying guitar work by none other than Chris Spedding. None more so than in anti-establishment indie-rock anthem and title track ‘Short Cut Draw Blood’ with its snarling warning of climate destruction and corporate greed. Sounding equally fresh and current today, Jim’s keen socio-politically conscious themes are just as poignant now as they were over 45 years ago.
Now, for the first time, this re-mastered masterpiece gets its official digital release and will be available, on all streaming and download platforms worldwide, from Feb 26th once again via Island. In December 1975, Jim Capaldi released his third and celebrated solo album ‘Short Cut Draw Blood’ for Island Records.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, Capaldi was also the recipient of 5 ASCAP and BMI Awards. Whilst Capaldi was most recognized as Traffic's drummer, he was also one of the group's principal songwriters alongside Steve Winwood, co-writing hits including ‘Paper Sun’ and ‘Dear Mr. Jim 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 and successful solo artist who collaborated with some of the most prestigious artists of his day. I like all of Jim’s solo stuff - Pete Townshend For years I had no idea he wrote the sublime lyrics behind Traffic I’m such a huge fan. “Jim was an extraordinary artisan on Drums – obviously a real musician as well as a drummer. He had a great, charging personality, but was so soft at heart – Yusuf Islam /Cat Stevens His bullish frame was exactly how he played and sounded on the drums. I am proud to have been his writing partner on so many songs” - Steve Winwood 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 I remember going down to the cottage in Berkshire to jam with him. Short Cut Draw Blood – Jim Capaldi’s Defining 1975 Album Gets its Long-Awaited Worldwide Digital Release, via Island Records
Songwriter, Drummer, Percussionist and founding member of TrafficĪlbum: Short Cut Draw Blood (digital only re-release)