Disco de Cream: “Very Best of Cream”

This album was my first acquaintance with Cream. I was 14 years old and beginning to take interest in drums. I put this record on, and within 15 seconds of listening to the first number I realized what rock drumming should be about.

There's enough musical material just on the first number, (Deserted Cities of the Heart) to have inspired countless future metal albums in terms of riffs and playing paradigms. In the second part of White Room, after the instrumental bit, it seems that they are bringing the number to a close; then there is a slight time change and Clapton plays some unearthly notes on the guitar, before the ending really climaxes. The intensity of just these few seconds is so staggering that you wonder what it felt like being in the audience, or being one of the three!

Compared to Live Cream vol 1, the songs are less drawn out (except Steppin' Out) but more intense, I would say.

I can't see how anyone could have given this album less than five stars out of five - if anyone ever played better or more spectacular I would like to hear that!

Cream's studio albums are classic, but the reason that these guys came together on Earth was to play live.

Taped at such San Francisco area venues as Winterland, and the Oakland Coloseum in 1968, Jack, Ginger, and Clapton stretch out full force on strong live versions of "White Room," "Politician," "Sunshine Of Your Love," and a hypnotic version of "Tales Of Brave Ulysses."

Bruce's "Deserted Cities Of The Heart" is sung with intensity, and the final cut "Steppin' Out" is a high powered 13 minute blues jam, showcasing each member of The Cream.

THe way these guys jam on their extended live cuts is full of jazz-like fluidity, bluesy rhythm, and the intensity of hard rock. And it all comes together on this disk.

Clapton's solos are extraterrestrial, and Bruce's voice is in good form.

Definately some of the coolest hard rock from the sixties.

This recording was one of the first I have heard of Eric Clapton. His performance on this recording is exemplary. Although most of us are probably most familiar with his work on "From the Cradle" and the single "Tears in Heaven", Cream is a point in time of Eric's career that any Clapton fan would most likely find enjoyment from listening with an open ear. The music is much heavier than anything he has done since those times(1966-1968). He teams up with Jack Bruceon vocals, bass, and harmonica and Ginger Baker on drums. These gentlemen were highly regarded jazz musicians on the the London Scene in the mid-sixties. When listening to these recordings, done live at various venues in the States in March of 1968, one will see the high energy and explosive inventiveness in Clapton's playing that has not been heard in any of his other groups. Bruce and Baker push him to experiment with tone, phrasing and volume. His solo on "Sleepy Time Time" is especially juicy and "Sweet Wine" is a nearly 17-minute journey into the then-uncharted territory of jazz-rock. Other recommendations for live Cream include "Wheels of Fire" (Crossroads, Spoonful), "Goodbye" (live versions of Sittin on top of the World, Politician and I'm so Glad), and , if available, Live at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit (Oct 1967) is an example of Cream at their highpoint with Clapton experimenting with feedback techniques ala Hendrix.

This is quite simply the greatest live album ever made. Astonishing performances of great songs, wonderfully recorded and mixed. From the opening notes of NSU to the crescendo close of Sweet Wine, the sonic attack never lets up for a second.

Jack, Eric and Ginger were like three racehorses desperate to cut loose from the gate. The nature of their musical relationship has to be unique in music history. All three having huge competitive egos, they were still totally, absolutely in sync at this magical moment in the short life of Cream. The resulting combined firepower is breathtaking; no wonder no other band wanted to be on the same bill. Clapton is simply phenomenal, and he is by far the weakest of the three musically. Bruce and Baker take the creative spirit to another level, completely free of cliche or repetition.

The heart of the matter is Sweet Wine, essentially a throwaway tune from the first album. Here it is the launch pad for the most complex, evolving, intuitive improvisation in the history of electric music. 35 years later, this music continues to shock and awe and astonish. Play it as loud as you can physically stand it.

I am 19 years old and therefore can not say I ever saw Cream Live on stage in person. However, I can say that this band, and I speak as a musician and a classic rock dj, is the most talented rock band ever who are only challenged by that of Rush. Eric Clapton, who I feel did nothing noteworthy after 1971 shines in this band. Jack Bruce, the bassist, is underrated. He sang and wrote most of the songs. Ginger Baker. Have you ever seen a crazier drummer. He took double bass rock drumming to where it is today. Now personally, I say that every Cream song is great and should be heard. Hwever, those who have only heard the legend and are curious should pick this cd up. It has all the best. "I Feel Free", which is currently a car commercial, is a great tune. It seems simple but there is far more than meets the eye. "N.S.U." speaks for so many people with just one line: "The only time I'm happy's when I play my guitar." How about the classic tunes from the Disraeli Gears album. "Strange Brew" is an interesting venture into a new realm for the band. And are any other ten bass hits(7 notes) in music more memorable than the intro to "Sunshine Of Your Love". The dueling vocals on this tune and Baker's odd drumming make this track still amazing to this day. "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" has become a recent favorite of mine. The lyrics and the melody(which will appear later in the album as well) just work too well together. "White Room" What many consider to be Cream's masterpiece. I love the intro. Bruce's voice never sounds as good. The melody from "...Ulysses" comes back for this tune. A true CLASSIC. I love "Crossroads". It is a great tune with a great repeating riff. "Anyone For Tennis" is at the end of the band's career. It is an odd song(drugs) but is fun to listen to nonetheless. Baker's conga playing and Clapton's accoustic set the scene on this one. Mind you, there are many more tunes on this cd that are worth listening to. After hearing this, you will want to buy all the Cream you can find. Box Set, live cds, anything. Well, i reccomend it all. But if you want the best on one cd or are a new fan, Pick this one up. If you are a metal or hard rock fan and want to see where it began, check out this cd. They were heavy before you could be heavy. Cream may have only been around for a little over 2 years, but the impact made will last forever.