Jim Capaldi Boxset "A true forgotten hero" according to Paul Weller.

CD Description

Jim Capaldi’s story is one of the last great unexplored tales in popular music. The co-founder, drummer, vocalist and lyricist of Traffic, Capaldi was a five time winner of BMI and ASCAP awards for most played compositions in America. His work in Traffic, alongside Steve Winwood & Chris Wood, fuelled a 10 album multi-platinum career and in 2004, Traffic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

But Traffic, although hugely significant, is only part of the story. Jim Capaldi also enjoyed over a thirty year solo career and worked with many other artists. Dear Mr Fantasy tells his story through 67 hand-selected tracks, many rare and previously unreleased. It provides a four-CD overview of the enigmatic vocalist and drummer. Packed with rare photos and essays from writers Andrew Male and Pierre Perrone, it follows his tale from the beat group The Hellions in 1963 through the formation of Traffic and its many incarnations. It features material from his time as a successful solo artist on Island, Polydor, Carerre and Atlantic Records throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Capaldi also recorded with many rock greats--from Eric Clapton, to Steve Winwood and George Harrison, and from Carlos Santana to Van Morrison and this work is included on Dear Mr Fantasy. Yet Capaldi’s tale, like many of his recordings, is hidden. Few know, for instance, that he wrote the lyrics to "Love Will Keep Us Alive", the only outside song on The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over comeback release, or the lyrics for the Reggae anthem "This is Reggae Music".

This set, overseen by Aninha Capaldi is a musical journey like no other. From the streets of the West Midlands to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Dear Mr Fantasy is a remarkable overview of a remarkable man. It including home demos, the unreleased track "Love’s Got A Hold On Me" recorded with George Harrison, and an unreleased 2004 Traffic recording of "Dear Mr Fantasy".