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'Traffic's songs and the imagery of Jim Capaldi's lyrics brought us adventures and characters that vibrated through the psychedelic underground.' - Robert Plant
Jim was the lyricist behind Traffic's 11 albums, including the hit songs 'Dear Mr. Fantasy', '40,000 Headmen' and 'Paper Sun'. Originally inspired by The Beatles, Jim wrote for the Eagles and played alongside George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix
His handwritten lyrics have been reproduced in facsimile, complete with doodles, typos and alterations to reveal the process behind the words that changed the face of music.
'As you read these lyrics, ask yourself if anyone in rock ever wrote better. The pirate poet indeed. Jim was a real rough diamond... I loved him.' - Tom Petty'I'd had this idea for a lyric and that evening while half asleep I managed to finish it off in my head. I got up, wrote it down and went and woke up Steve; it must have been around 4.30 or 5.00 in the morning. Then we went in to the little living room where there was an old upright piano and finished it. It was the first song we wrote together.' - Jim Capaldi
'All these bits of paper would be knocking about and while we were jamming, if I could find a way to sing something that was written down I would just sing it. That's how we created our songs... He was a life-long brother-musician to me and we spent a lot of time together, had a great affection for each other, and understood each other and the way we worked. It's slightly sad, but, for me, Traffic can never be without Jim.' - Steve Winwood
Over 30 pre-eminent musicians have paid tribute to their friend in this special limited edition. Musicians including Paul Weller, Steven Van Zandt and Dave Matthews speak of the impact Jim Capaldi has made on their work.
'Maybe it was the place - it was definitely the time. 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 otherworldliness.' - Robert Plant
Robert Plant writes the Foreword to Mr Fantasy and Jim's wife Aninha Capaldi provides the introduction. Both have personally signed each copy, along with Steve Winwood.
'One of his last wishes was for me to complete what he had started and I promised him I would.' - Aninha Capaldi
Photographs of Jim with his band, friends and family illustrate their words. Taken by renowned photographers and selected from the family's personal archives, they show him performing, relaxing, and exploring the countryside near Traffic's secluded Berkshire cottage.
'When I hear Traffic records and look back on those years, I don't really think of festivals and clubs and rock 'n' roll, I think of tracks on the Berkshire Downs, crows over a coppice. It was a very powerful experience.' - Jim Capaldi
'I knew Jim pretty well. He took part in the Eric Clapton Rainbow concert in 1973. He was an extraordinary artisan on the drums - a real musician as well as a drummer. But for years I had no idea he wrote the sublime lyrics behind Traffic.' - Pete Townshend
Over 30 friends and musicians have contributed to Mr Fantasy, including:
The final 100 copies in the limited edition are signed by Aninha Capaldi and legendary singer-songwriters Steve Winwood and Robert Plant.
| Deluxe | £465 |
A celebration of the life and lyrics of Traffic's drummer, poet and founder, Jim Capaldi. Over 70 handwritten lyrics are illustrated by images of Traffic and the recollections of 40 legendary contributors including Pete Townshend, Tom Petty, Paul Weller, Yusuf / Cat Stevens and many more.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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