Not as strong as I had hoped it would be. A real disappointment. The band just doesn't sound tight or as inspired as on other live efforts.
February 2, 2008N.S.U. ,Sleepy Time Time, Rollin and a Tumblin' and Sweet Wine are all from the debut Fresh Cream. This is what those 4 songs sound like on stage. The Cream's strength is live improvisation and this is their best live document hands down.
Also included is the backing track of Strange Brew with different bluesy lyrics.
February 27, 2007a big fan of clapton i just got around to buying this and was surprised how heavy it was. the first song reminded me of sid barrett floyd, and for the rest I thought of hendricks, sabbath, and song remains the same zepplin. very worth buying for clapton fans to see where he came from.
February 21, 2007It came as expected. I was familiar with the album, and was a great old album. Prompt delivery, good condition, definitely okay.
November 7, 2006 |  | The most exciting live band in rock history |  |
While Cream released recorded three fantastic studio albums during their short career that spawned several classic rock staples, most notably the huge hit singles "White Room" and "Sunshine of Your Love", it was their live shows which brought them to another level. Quite simply, there has never been a more exciting live band than Cream was in the late-60's. What made them so exciting? It was a combination of things. First of all, bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker were among the best rock musicians to emerge during the late '60s. The second reason was the massive egos, particularly those of Bruce and Baker, which came with the territory of being masters of their craft. But the most important reason why Cream was so exciting was their live performances. They were the first as well as one of the very few bands that can take a 3-minute pop song and stretch it into a long jam without a wasted note. While some may call this indulgence, the beauty of Cream was the incredible interplay between the members. Live Cream, released in 1971, long after the band had broken up, shows the band at the height of their powers. While bands such as the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead would become legends in their own right due to their stellar live shows, neither possessed the raw energy and improvisation of Cream. The fact that their amazing sound was created by only three musicians made this even more impressive.
Right from the first notes of "N.S.U.", the magic of their live show is in full force. Bruce's vocals are very enthusiastic and the long jam that follows is nothing short of amazing. With Baker providing the anchor, Clapton lays out a long solo which bounces between tasty lead work and relentless power chords. Bruce's bass playing matches the proceedings, whether he's providing fast runs or slower melodic work. The mid-tempo blues of "Sleepy Time Time", while not quite as electrifying, provides a showcase for Clapton's lead work while Bruce and Baker's playing remains busy while not abandoning the original theme. "Sweet Wine" is an awesome example of the band's interplay. Bruce's counter bass lines provide the perfect accompaniment for Clapton's solos. However, it is Baker's drumming which holds it all together, changing in mood throughout while Clapton and Bruce follow his lead. At over 15 minutes, there is not one boring moment to be heard. Their cover of the blues standard "Rollin' and Tumblin'" is awesome, as this time Clapton and Baker provide the backbone for Bruce's energetic harmonica playing. The album concludes with a studio version of "Lawdy Mama", which is basically "Strange Brew" with different lyrics. In conclusion, Live Cream is an excellent album that showcases one of the best live bands that have ever performed. Highly recommended.
November 9, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(15 reviews)
