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Post by MikeMusic on May 1, 2016 8:36:36 GMT
Cream's third album. A double LP, we could not believe our luck. The best band around giving us a double
LP 1 studio tracks which are great, continuing on from Disraeli Gears and improving.
LP 2 live and for most of us a big surprise with the improvisation of the 3 sounding like many more.
I have yet to hear a better version of Crossroads, Ry Cooder runs them close, but then into Spoonful. 16 minutes of bliss
Besides Jack, Eric and Ginger you have Pete Brown supplying lyrics and Felix Pappalardi doing a fine job producing.
Little did me and my mates know this was about to end as they were tired and fed up, having no idea of how massively popular they were.
Play this all the way through, remember this was 1967 and 1968.
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Post by ChrisB on May 1, 2016 9:00:01 GMT
The Spotify link seems have disappeared, so here it is again.
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Post by Slinger on May 1, 2016 10:31:49 GMT
In my old local I sort of 'assumed' control of which singles (vinyl 45s) went on the jukebox. That version of Crossroads was released as a single. Job Done. Oh, but we had some cracking tunes on that jukebox. Roadhouse Blues by The Doors was another one that annoyed a lot of people.  |
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Post by Barrington on May 6, 2016 19:46:34 GMT
I'm not fond of Clapton , Cream singles I've heard are ok , I've never listened to an album of their's , so here we go  |
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Post by John on May 7, 2016 6:15:44 GMT
This is a tough one for me I think Cream were a very influential to music and at times such as White Room and Crossroads (if at this standard throughout a easy 10) you really get that sense of power a band at the height of their powers. However the album lacks consistency I find at times I switch off as just to many songs that just do not really engage me
5
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Post by ChrisB on May 7, 2016 6:35:45 GMT
I feel the same way about Cream John, I always have. I see the musicianship and passion in the playing but the jamming bores me to tears. And I usually love a good jam! They did some utterly sublime singles but I hate 'Sunshine of Your Love', for example because it sounds to me like an unfinished impromptu jam with a clumsy riff (obviously it's not on 'Wheels of Fire' but I say it to illustrate the point).
'White Room' is just perfect though.
5 out of 10 for me too.
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Post by ChrisB on May 7, 2016 6:40:23 GMT
'Pressed Rat and Warthog' is always good for a nonsense lyrical quote too! Saw this in Colorado last year.  |
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Post by MartinT on May 7, 2016 9:41:11 GMT
There are some true epic moments here, interspersed with what I can only call 'filler'. I must admit to not having played the full album in a long time and I don't have it in my collection (I have Disraeli Gears and Fresh Cream). Nothing really touches White Room. Their sound becomes a little 'samey' when listening to the whole album and they lack the innovation of some of their contemporaries, I think. 6/10.
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Post by MikeMusic on May 7, 2016 11:04:09 GMT
Listen to the live tracks and what's going on a few more times guys. I'll let you skip Toad once or twice This is a *band* with the sum of the parts much more than the individuals. When they split I assumed Jack would be the one to really make it. Clapton was a different artist after this Stigwood was right to call this the first supergroup. Not when they formed but as they came fully on song. Since then of course there are many supergroups (joke) |
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Post by John on May 7, 2016 11:34:51 GMT
For me when I think of good Jam Bands I think Deep Purple mk2 or something more modern like Govt Mule
The biggest issue on this album is the difference between the highs and lows
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Post by MikeMusic on May 7, 2016 16:28:12 GMT
There is a big difference between the studio LP and the live
Is there something else ?
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Post by Slinger on May 8, 2016 16:52:36 GMT
There's a new(ish) release in the Classic Albums series which has Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, Wheels Of Fire (split over 2 CDs) and Goodbye for £12.99 if anyone's interested. |
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Post by MikeMusic on May 8, 2016 20:15:47 GMT
"celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cream’s inception in 1966"
Can't believe it was 50 years ......
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 23, 2019 20:23:23 GMT
Revisiting this after upgrading most of my system.
The 2 classic tracks
Crossroads and Spoonful
delivering so much more than I thought was there.
Give it another spin
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Post by MartinT on Mar 23, 2019 21:10:37 GMT
I'm revising my vote to 9/10.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 15, 2020 10:52:41 GMT
Wheels of Fire, live album stuck in my playlist for months now.
Still here but might be about to be moved over...
SACD UIGY-15003 recommended
Remastered by young Mr. Hoffmann, this is said to be the best version you can get.
I read Jack, Eric and Ginger were impressed by Steve Hoffman's work when they heard it
Special birthday present was vacant so I asked stepson to provide.
My existing CD had been treated with my 4 different treatments and responded very well to each one.
Considering this was recorded live the amount of extra detail and clarity forthcoming was quite a surprise.
First play was this treated CD.
Wonderful of course
SACD next. Had to adjust volume as the CD is a low.
Glad to say the untreated SACD out performs the CD - phew. Not a waste of money then.
CD treatments on the SACD :
Nespa first
Step up. Vocals slightly better, cymbals clearer
AUDIO DESK - CD Lathe
Step up, more separation, even more clarity in the vocals and drums. More of the playing together Eric, Jack and Ginger did so well.
Acoustic Revive RIO 5 II Negative Ion Generator
More separation, more clarity
Acoustic Revive RD-03 Demagnetiser
Another step up
Amazing what can be dragged out of a 1968 live recording by 3 musicians
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