This song literally helped us make it through the night…the first time I ever heard it was about middle way through the 90s. I was on an assembly line in Spring Hill, Tennessee. On third shift, all of us were plenty tired, third shift does that to you, no matter how much you rest.
However, when this song came on everyone felt better. If we were cleaning up our area, you danced with the broom. If we were working on the line, you could see every one working just a little bit faster, and we were smiling as we swayed to the music!
From www.stevewinwood.com:
For more than five decades, Steve Winwood has remained a primary figure in rock ‘n’ roll, a respected innovator who has helped to create some of the genre’s most celebrated achievements.
Winwood burst into prominence in 1963 with the Spencer Davis Group and since that time his celebrated skills as a composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist have developed an impressive catalog of popular music.
That extraordinary portfolio of music began at the age of fifteen as the driving force of the Spencer Davis Group. The group enjoyed a string of chart success by way of such enduring classics as “Keep On Running” “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m A Man”. The international success of these singles bolstered Winwood’s confidence and strengthened his resolve to seek out new rhythmic possibilities.
In 1967, Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group and co-founded Traffic. Beloved for their eclectic style and superbly crafted songs, Traffic routinely defied convention to celebrate a host of perse sounds and influences. Landmark albums such as Mr. Fantasy and John Barleycorn Must Die confirmed their position as one of the most important British groups of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Eager to try his hand with other creative partnerships, Winwood left Traffic in 1969 to form a new group called Blind Faith with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. The pairing of Winwood with Cream’s Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and later, former Family bassist Rick Grech, created what many critics dubbed rock first supergroup. The international popularity of Blind Faith, the group’s sole album, confirmed their special chemistry. Blind Faith staples such as “Can’t Find My Way Home” continue to rank among Winwood’s finest achievements.
In 1970, Winwood reformed Traffic and guided a highly successful run founded on such popular albums as 'The Low Heeled Spark Of High Heeled Boys' and 'Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory'. By 1975, Traffic splintered as the allure of solo projects and new creative partnerships proved too tempting to resist.
1977’s solo debut 'Steve Winwood' signaled a bold new artistic direction. Such a shift should hardly come as a surprise for those who have followed Winwood’s distinguished career. Beginning with Traffic and extending through such landmark solo albums as the Grammy Award winning 'Back In The High Life' and 'Roll With It', Winwood has nurtured a restless creative spirit, mining rich musical traditions such as Delta Blues, English Folk, R&B, Afro-Caribbean & Brazilian rhythms, and merging these diverse influences within his own unmistakable sound.
Winwood’s solo career has yielded a rich catalog of popular songs including “Back In The High Life,” “When You See A Chance,” “Valerie,” and “Higher Love”. His most recent solo album, About Time, has continued that success, earning Winwood one of his highest Billboard chart entries.
Winwood has since renewed his creative partnership with Eric Clapton. Their expansive CD and DVD Live At Madison Square Garden was nominated for two Grammy Awards and rewarded their many fans with some of the most exciting performances of their careers. Subsequent tours of the United States and Japan make clear the lasting appreciation fans have for their unique talents.
Winwood continues to perform throughout the world and record new music, furthering his impressive legacy. In addition to his many achievements as a solo artist, Winwood remains in high demand for special collaborations with other artists. His distinctive Hammond organ has graced such classic fare as Jimi’s Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” as well as Miranda Lambert’s recent chart hit “Baggage Claim”.
It should come as no surprise to learn that many honors have been bestowed on Steve Winwood. He is a recipient of the Ivor Novello Outstanding Song Collection and the Musicians Union Classic Rock Award—honors both voted for by his peers. He has also received honorary Doctorate Degrees in Music from Berklee College Of Music, Aston University in his hometown of Birmingham, England; and from The University of Gloucestershire. On June 5th 2014, he was inducted into the Walk Of Fame in Nashville, TN.
While rightfully acknowledged for his many achievements, Steve Winwood forges ahead undaunted, continuing to create and perform new and exciting material. He remains one of the most important and influential artists in all of popular music.
Image: RollingStone.com
