Cream

Ever since renting the DVD Disraeli Gears, which is interviews and highlights of the second Cream album, I have been getting back into Cream. Cream was the original jam band, and was the first of a string of jam bands, through Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam, that I loved.

Cream was a band comprising Eric Clapton on guitar, fresh from John Mayall's Blues Band, and Jack Bruce on bass, and Ginger Baker on drums, both innovative jazz musicians.

This combination proved to be very influential on rock music, even though they broke up after 3 years and 3 studio albums. While they were around from 1966 to 1968, I was but 12-14, so didn't get a chance to see them.

They reunited in 2005 to play at the Royal Albert Hall, and the DVD of this show is incredible. After 37 years, they sounded as fresh and their musicianship had improved, if that is possible. The songs were a bit shaky in places, but the magic was still there.

While they had some hit songs (I Feel Free, Sunshine Of Your Love, I'm So Glad), they were all about their live performances. They brought a freshness and emphasis on musicianship not seen before in rock music. They never played a song the same twice, with improv and jamming on every song. Ginger Baker is the only drummer whose drum solos I actually enjoyed (and they were long, but never less than fascinating). He would keep 4/4 time with one foot on the hi-hat, while his hands and other foot explored jazz, african and other beats, even in 12/8 time. He would switch easily from emphasizing the 1st and 3rd beats to 2nd and 4th, giving Cream a very unique sound. Jack Bruce played his bass like a lead instrument, and the synergy between he and Eric was fantastic. Jack's voice was strong and fit perfectly the trippy words of the songs. Eric also sang some, but it was the first time he sang, and over the years, his voice has become masterful, and it was amazing to see the difference in the 2005 reunion show.

Here's hoping they will reunite again; I would pay anything to be there this time.