Something Different: "Cream's" Reunion Concert

self ^ | 11/15/05 | LS

[LS]

For those of you interested in late 60s-early 70s-era rock, I just watched the "Cream" Reunion Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Wow. Can those guys still play. Ginger Baker is 60 or older. Jack Bruce nearly died of, I think, a kidney disease.

While some of the tunes may have lacked their electricity (no pun intended) of 30 years ago, it was a joy to hear "White Room," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "Badge," "Toad," and, of course, "Sunshine of Your Love."

If you didn't already know it, Eric Clapton is simply one of the three or four greatest guitarists ever. (I could not choose between him, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck, and I've seen all three live, each more than once, except Clapton, whom I only saw one time with Cream).

Watching this concert, you certainly gain appreciation for Jack Bruce as an original bassist, and Baker "lays it down" much better than he did as a "youngster." For being apart for 30 years, however, they all played extremely well together: all the tunes were tight, and there were no extra musicians, such as rhythm guitarists or keyboardists---just the three.

I'd be interested in learning how they decided to get together (I know the cynical answer is that they had to pay bills), and there is some commentary at the end that suggests that someone (Baker?) said some uncomplimentary things about (I think) Clapton prior to the reunion.

Anyway, if you ever liked Cream, this concert is a must see.

[billorites]

This was a charity event.

[Renegade]

Have you checked out the ticket $$$$$$ yet?? Need EXTRA cream at those rates .

[billorites]

"If you didn't already know it, Eric Clapton is simply one of the three or four greatest guitarists ever."

Because he got clean 30 years ago.

Period.

Dot.

[nuconvert]

you might be interested in this thread...................

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1497682/posts

[DB]

The heroin still left its mark on him. And not for the better...

[nuconvert]

BTW you can see a bit a here....................

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Ginger_Baker.html

[jwh_Denver]

Saw Baker and Bruce play "White Room" when Bruce was touring with Ringo Starr's All Star Band and it was fantastic. That was the only song that Baker played. Bruce showed he still had it when he jammed with Peter Frampton on "Do You Feel Like We Do". Awesome.

The rumor I heard was that the reason "The Cream" broke up was that Baker and Bruce hated each other.

[appleharvey]

Clapton was definitely one of the best, but in the 70's, I saw Johnny Winter and Roy Buchannan. They weren't too shabby either.

[billorites]

"but in the 70's, I saw Johnny Winter and Roy Buchannan. They weren't too shabby either."

I gotta give Johnny the nod by virtue of still being above ground.

[nuconvert]

I got to see Roy once. Fantastic

[beaver fever]

"The rumor I heard was that the reason "The Cream" broke up was that Baker and Bruce hated each other."

Ginger Baker was heavily into smack at the time and during a double bill with the Rolling Stones he kranked up in front of Mick Jagger just, (in Bakers words) to F*** him up.

Eric Clapton said that the group broke up because it was open warfare on stage with Baker, Clapton and Bruce trying to drive each other offstage with impromptu and unagreed upon solos.

Early concert footage of their performanc of Crossroads in a concert in England clearly showed a bass/lead dual between Clapton and Bruce.

Clapton was literally biting his lips trying to keep up with Bruce who was playing his open fret bass in a jazz style as a lead instrument.

Few people realize the Bruce previously was a Julliard trained Cellist which left him with a sense of musical superiority.

The three of them basically wore each other out.

[1066AD]

I read both Bruce and Baker could use some extra money.

[keat]

Lucky bastard.

[raptor29]

".......Eric Clapton is simply one of the three or four greatest guitarists ever."

Yeah, and Barbra Streisand is a top talent too. Gimme a break. I have listened to this Eric Clapton crap for 30 years and for the life of me, I can't even begin to figure out why people continue to make this type of claim. Grossly overrated.

[LS]

I could see that because even on Bruce's web site it says that although Baker recruited him for one of their early bands, he forced him out because Bruce was "too busy."

The way Baker plays now, they fit perfectly. Baker does NOT play "with" the bass player, but kind of along his own music score.

[LS]

"Johnny Winter And . . ." with Rick Derringer remains one of the all-time classic guitar albums. Never saw him, and he never reall re-captured that magic.

[LS]

Bruce is a musical maniac. Go to his web site and you'll see he plays cello, concert piano (did a concert in Switzerland, I think), and of course guitar/bass.

BTW, one of the incredible hidden contributors to "Disraeli Gears" and "Wheels of Fire" was another bass player, for "Mountain," Felix Pappalardi, who was a Bruce-lite. Good singer, not nearly as good a bass player. But Pappalardi arranged, produced, and it seems really contributed to their albums. FP died when his wife killed him---stabbed him to death, I think.

[LS]

Anyone who thinks Clapton is overrated obviously outdid Baker in the smack department during the 60s.

[Dawgreg]

Hmmmm.......I have "White Room" on an old 45rpm. I could use some extra money.....any takers? *~*