Feelin' Alright

Dave Mason’s contributions to Traffic are one of the crucial elements that led to the band’s thoroughly modern and wholly unique sound. While the catchy melody and slightly vaudevillian execution adds to its’ infectious kitsch, just beneath that veneer is a splendid little groovy rocker. The mostly acoustic opening masques the driving rhythms that quickly emerge around the “Feelin’ alright?/Not feelin’ too good myself” chorus. Winwood’s spry jazzy piano inflections add a contrast from Mason’s dejected lead vocals. The track evolves into a steadily chugging rhythm centring on the ultimately sing-a-long-able refrain. The instrumental break is highlighted by Chris Wood’s tasty sax solo and the break allows the band to let loose for a couple of bars before resolving back into the final verse. Jim Capaldi’s syncopated skins unify the entire affair in a style akin to jazz time keeper Art Blakey, who mastered the delicate craft of not getting in the way when attempting to provide a soloist with rhythmic support. Although debuted by Traffic, “Feelin’ Alright?” was covered to greater success by Joe Cocker and Grand Funk Railroad as well as lesser-known versions by Isaac Hayes, the Jackson Five, Three Dog Night, Paul Weller and Freddie King.