Royal Albert Hall (London 2-6 May 2005) - Cream

...of Concerts initially at the Royal Albert Hall but then going world wide for a tour.

I saw Eric Clapton with Blind Faith at one of the early free concerts in Hyde Park in the late sixties, I think june 1969, as a teenager so was quite upset that I missed the Albert Hall Concerts especially as one fell on my birthday 5th May 2007.

However I first recorded the concert from TV and then was bought the album and DVD the Christmas ...
...60 year old rockers who hadn't played all together in a band for forty years. Playing the songs as the did all those years ago. They play, in my own personal opinion, better than they did back then. The CD consists of:-

Tracks on first disc

1. I'm So Glad - written by Skip James. This was a big Cream song and is played very well, the vocals have lost none of their punch and Jack Bruce's Bass playing stands out as usual, ... more

Eric Clapton is my favourite guitarist not only for his longevity but for the skill in his guitar playing. He with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker reform in 2005 for a series of Concerts initially at the Royal Albert Hall but then going world wide for a tour.

I saw Eric Clapton with Blind Faith at one of the early free concerts in Hyde Park in the late sixties, I think june 1969, as a teenager so was quite upset that I missed the Albert Hall Concerts especially as one fell on my birthday 5th May 2007.

However I first recorded the concert from TV and then was bought the album and DVD the Christmas following it's release. The concert is magical. There are three 60 year old rockers who hadn't played all together in a band for forty years. Playing the songs as the did all those years ago. They play, in my own personal opinion, better than they did back then. The CD consists of:-

Tracks on first disc

1. I'm So Glad - written by Skip James. This was a big Cream song and is played very well, the vocals have lost none of their punch and Jack Bruce's Bass playing stands out as usual, he is one of the best.

2. Spoonful - written by Willie Dixon. Dixon was a bass player and jack Bruce again brings out a strong bass line with excellent vocals. The guitar solos are outstanding. The drumming is faultless This song is and always will be a Cream classic. With credit to Mr Dixon.

3. Outside Woman Blues - written by Blind Joe Reynolds. This is a song that I've seen Eric use to describe the different styles he plays. The main riff comes from another song and has been slightly changed to fit this track, Eric is on vocals and his solos are top class

4. Pressed Rat And Warthog - written by Ginger Baker/Mike Taylor. I like this song the least, no offence to the writers or Ginger. Ginger Baker provides the lyrics and has a little joke at the end about selling T shirts in the auditorium I presume and Neasden comes into it too. It could be termed more as a verse or poem to music.

5. Sleepy Time Time - written by Jack Bruce/Janet Godfrey. This track is one that I hadn't heard very often but fell in love with and have played more than any other track. On one of these takes on the DVD Eric is seen looking over to Jack Bruce and has a smile on his face obviously enjoying the moment. He doesn't usually do this, from what I have seen. He seems to me a very humble man who usually gets lost in the moment when playing a solo, eyes closed.

6. NSU - written by Jack Bruce. I am not really fond of this one it does display a different style of playing and veers away from a Blues base the solo guitar is good and the other musicians play well. Really way back to Psychadelia.

7. Badge - written by Eric Clapton/George Harrison This is a classic made famous by a solo Eric Clapton with various bands. The only thing that annoys me is the crowd clapping because they think the pause is the end of the song and this happens in two places. They can't all be first timers. This track allows Eric to let fly with his solos and he is very comfortable doing that.

8. Politician - written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown A classic Cream track with heavy Bass from Jack Bruce with fine vocals, Erics playing is as good as ever. Did Cream ever disband???? Eric plays some excellent guitar on this track.

9. Sweet Wine - written by Ginger Baker/Janet Godfrey I love the various instuments on this track but am not keen on the vocals although this is Cream as I imagine they would have sounded forty years ago.

10. Rollin' And Tumblin' - written by Muddy Waters - Although a great Blues song by as great a Bluesman this is one that is not a great favourite of mine personally but, Jack Bruce does play the harmonica on this, it is a fast repetitive Blues.

11. Stormy Monday - written by T-Bone Walker This is a beautiful slow blues showcasing the musical ablility of the whole band with Eric on vocals

12. Deserted Cities Of The Heart - written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown A typical Cream track with Jack on vocals. There are no guitar solos on this song

Tracks on second disc

1. Born Under A Bad Sign - written by Booker T James/William Bell Another slow blues, Jack on vocals all the music is tight and the solos still seem fresh. The drumming is great.

2. We're Going Wrong - written by Jack Bruce This is another I don't particularly like but it has it's qualities, it is a story of one of Jack's relationships.

3. Crossroads - written by Robert Johnson Eric doing what he does best singing and playing one of his favourite tracks and he and the rest of the band are playing really well. The solos are sublime. During one of the solos on the DVD the camera cuts to Brian May of Queen fame looking on in admiration, a compliment indeed.

4. White Room - written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown Eric has been playing this song for years so has been practising it for a long time, he doesn't go wrong and compliments Jack Bruce vocals with his back-up vocals. The drumming is as tight as always.

5. Toad - written by Ginger Baker This is essentially a drum solo and Ginger Baker is on of the best in the world, it is a delight to hear a long drum solo after all these years played with so little effort but such energy.

6. Sunshine Of Your Love - written by Eric Clapton/Jack Bruce/Pete Brown This is another that Eric has played for years, The vocals are shared by Jack and Eric. Again the drumming is tight. The guitar solos to me sound special as Eric is just let go the rest looks after itself and the Bass, we'll leave it at that, Jacks bass has always been great. This song showcases his talent.

7. Sleepy Time Time (alt. take) - This take obviously brings a different solo from Eric and as described previously he and I'm sure the others enjoyed this track which is probably why it is on twice.

The personnel of Cream are: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Ginger Baker (vocals, drums); Jack Bruce (bass guitar).

If you like Cream then this is the CD for you, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Thanks for reading.

© dvdsprks2 2007 

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