The first Cream album introduces a great power trio to the world
5
It is rather ironic that Cream stands out in the history of music as the first great power trio in rock 'n' roll. First, because some of the other great power trios are not always considered as such because they have a vocalist (to wit, the Who and Led Zeppelin). Second, because the band was composed of like-minded muisicans who really wanted to play the blues rather than rock. Third, because while on the one hand they approached music with the sensibilities of jazz musicians, interested in improvisation whenever possible, their performances sometimes went from showmanship to indulgence. But any group that has Eric Clapton on guitar and gives him free reign is going to have its place in music history.
At that point Clapton ahd already played with the Yardbirds (but before "For Your Love" was relased) and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Bass player and vocalist Jack Bruce had been with drummer Ginger Baker in the Graham Bond Organisation, had briefly played with both the Bluesbreakers and Manfred Mann. The trio released their first album, "Fresh Cream," in 1966, and while their follow-up effort "Disraeli Gears" better defines the Cream sound, this is still an impressive debut effort. The opening track, "I Feel Free," written by Bruce and lyricist Pete Brown, was actually the second single released by the group ("Wrapping Paper" was the rather odd choice to go first), but it is the right song to introduce the world to the group (even if it was not on the original British release of the album). The a cappella vocals that begin the song set up a sense of anticipation because you know that cannot be all there is to the song, and then the band starts playing. Even if you reduce the formula to simply setting up a Clapton guitar solo, it is hard to fault the logic.
"Fresh Cream" made it to the Top 10 on the album chart in the U.K. and to #39 in America. At this point the best way of describing the collection of songs is that the group takes traditional blues and electrifies them with more than a touch of psychadelia. "I Feel Free" and "N.S.U." both move beyond the blues, but they are just as clearly not the musical area of emphasis at this point. At this point the band's goal is manifested on "Spoonful," a Willie Dixon song that allows the group to strut their stuff and provides Clapton's bona fides for all time when it comes to playing blues guitar. When people talk about Cream the role of Jack Bruce is primarily discussed in terms of his vocals, but attention should be paid to his bass playing. Even if he is the weakest member of the group in comparison to the other two, his bass playing is pretty good and there are times when he is doing the melody of the song. Also pay attention to his harmonica blowing on "Rollin' and Tumblin'." As for Baker's unique way of playing the drums, just check out the solo on "Toad" at the end of the album. The first Cream album is not their best, but you have to round up just because it introduced them to the world and set the bar higher for not only themselves but everybody who followed.
Posted by Anonymous, on 2005-12-10
4 stars for the music, 2 stars for the mix
4
This is great music, don't get me wrong. But listening to this on stereo headphones, I can't help but complain how terrible this mix is. On pretty much all of the songs, the bass and drums are muddled together on one channel, while the vocals and the guitar (sometimes) and other random instruments such as tambourines and harmonica are split on the other channel at a much higher volume than the rhythm section. It's a travesty to Bruce and Baker. I would hope that someday this will be rereleased in the 360-degree surround sound mixes like Columbia's been putting out. Once again, this is an essential album. Probably the most concise and the one that front to back, holds together the best out of all the Cream albums. If you can put up with a bad mix, you will have no complaints.
Posted by Anonymous, on 2005-10-27
Creams First
4
Fresh Cream is the first album by the legandary Cream.
Cream at this time knew they were a blues band but were in the process of figuring out which direction to go. Ginger Baken had drummed for the Graham Bond Organization and had been primarily a jazz drummer. Jack Bruce was more of a jazz bass player as well. To this day Baker and Bruce think Clapton is actaully a jazz player. Clapton is adamant that he is infact a blues player.
This CD is probably the only legitimate blues album in their catalog. There are two songs on this collection that stand out.
The first would be Spoonful by Willie Dixon. Spoonful only appeared on the British import in the 60's and now appears on the CD. Spoonful is one of the finest songs in their catalog.
Rollin and Tumblin is a shortened version of the Robert Johnson song "If I had possession over judgement Day.
The slide guitar on this recording is exquisite.
Toad gives Ginger Baker a chance to show off on the drums.
Toad provides the finest drum solo ever, at a time when every band did a drum solo.
Creams' boggest problem was their vocals and Jack Bruce took on the lions share. Clapton at this time lacked the confidence he needed. Clapton does do the vocals on Sweet Wine and Four until late.
If you are a Cream fan this is a must.
At that point Clapton ahd already played with the Yardbirds (but before "For Your Love" was relased) and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Bass player and vocalist Jack Bruce had been with drummer Ginger Baker in the Graham Bond Organisation, had briefly played with both the Bluesbreakers and Manfred Mann. The trio released their first album, "Fresh Cream," in 1966, and while their follow-up effort "Disraeli Gears" better defines the Cream sound, this is still an impressive debut effort. The opening track, "I Feel Free," written by Bruce and lyricist Pete Brown, was actually the second single released by the group ("Wrapping Paper" was the rather odd choice to go first), but it is the right song to introduce the world to the group (even if it was not on the original British release of the album). The a cappella vocals that begin the song set up a sense of anticipation because you know that cannot be all there is to the song, and then the band starts playing. Even if you reduce the formula to simply setting up a Clapton guitar solo, it is hard to fault the logic.
"Fresh Cream" made it to the Top 10 on the album chart in the U.K. and to #39 in America. At this point the best way of describing the collection of songs is that the group takes traditional blues and electrifies them with more than a touch of psychadelia. "I Feel Free" and "N.S.U." both move beyond the blues, but they are just as clearly not the musical area of emphasis at this point. At this point the band's goal is manifested on "Spoonful," a Willie Dixon song that allows the group to strut their stuff and provides Clapton's bona fides for all time when it comes to playing blues guitar. When people talk about Cream the role of Jack Bruce is primarily discussed in terms of his vocals, but attention should be paid to his bass playing. Even if he is the weakest member of the group in comparison to the other two, his bass playing is pretty good and there are times when he is doing the melody of the song. Also pay attention to his harmonica blowing on "Rollin' and Tumblin'." As for Baker's unique way of playing the drums, just check out the solo on "Toad" at the end of the album. The first Cream album is not their best, but you have to round up just because it introduced them to the world and set the bar higher for not only themselves but everybody who followed.