Eric Clapton and his music

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Cream rises to occasion
By Joan Anderman, Globe Staff | October 26, 2005

NEW YORK -- It is the mother of all reunions. Cream -- the original supergroup, seminal power trio, and egomaniacal virtuosos who in a mere two years laid the foundation for heavy rock, jam bands, and celebrity feuds -- is back together for at least a few fleeting moments. Ironically, there was little heaviness, jamming, or feuding Monday night at Madison Square Garden during the opening show of Cream's three-night stand here -- the only concerts the band has scheduled in the United States.

The only nod to psychedelia was an oozing rainbow backsplash, against which drummer Ginger Baker sat ramrod straight, peeling off taut rhythms with marvelous efficiency. Eric Clapton, ever the laid-back guitar god, seared his instrument to perfection. Bassist Jack Bruce, the evening's revelation, crisscrossed his bandmates' sensible paths with mischief and daring.

Nearly four decades after the British trio's brief, illustrious run in the late '60s, however, mastery never quite translated to synergy, and supreme balance trumped magic and chaos every time.

But what balance. This mix was so democratic one imagines that lawyers were involved. It was clear from the start of Cream's 20-song set -- a glistening, streamlined version of the Skip James gem ''I'm So Glad" -- that the signature three-headed assault of the band's early days was a thing of the past. In short order ''Spoonful," which stretched out graciously but never wandered too far or too long from center, confirmed Cream's shift into the mature musician's comfort zone -- forsaking the wildfires of youth for clean lines and predictable plots.

''Crossroads," gilded with the solo Clapton gleam, was pared to three minutes. The classic-rock radio staples ''White Room" and ''Sunshine of Your Love" promised great peaks but were reined in soon after the ascent began. Again during ''Sweet Wine," the elusive riveting groove emerged only to disappear before liftoff, the victim of careful scheduling.

Oddities like Baker's spoken-word piece ''Pressed Rat & Warthog" and the skewed blues ''Politician" stood out all the more for their distinctive textures. And a show-stealing version of ''Rollin' and Tumblin' " -- a careening mess of Bruce's harmonica, Clapton's slide guitar, and Baker's snapping snare -- was a too-fleeting foil to the night's wealth of tasteful restraint.

It's worth noting that with the exception of a brief set at the band's 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Clapton, Bruce, and Baker hadn't played together in 37 years until this past May, when Cream did four dates at London's Royal Albert Hall. All got what they've candidly revealed they came for -- Clapton the collaborative spark, Bruce and Baker the paycheck, and the audience a massive jolt of quality nostalgia -- which inspired the group to book the New York shows.

One wonders what might happen if Cream continues on as a trio and makes an investment in unearthing the magic as well as relearning the songs.

Review #1
What a show! I am completely exhausted and completely 'death'! This was as good, well almost, as good as the Thursday night at the Royal Albert Hall (5/5/2005). And it was loud!
Songs that were outstanding? Spoonful, Tales of Brave Ulysses, Politician, Sweet Wine, Stormy Monday, Born Under A Bad Sign, We're Going Wrong, Toad and Sunshine Of Your Love. A bit strange was that Eric didn't do a solo on Sitting On Top Of The World. I don't know if that was intentional or not. Overall a great concert! No jamming like last night, but there was more energy on stage. Last night it was Ginger who was great and tonight Jack was fabulous! Eric was not playing in the relaxed way he was playing last night and he played some fantastic solos! And I have to say that there was a big difference in the audience compared to last night's show. Tonight they were far more enthusiastic and that probably inspired the band too.

One more show to go... I wonder what the last night will bring. No change in the set list I think. But if the concert is better than tonight's concert than it will be a wonderful ending of the Cream shows! Let's hope for it! But after having been to the 6 Cream concerts so far I have no complaints, every single show was worth every penny I paid for it (and that are a lot of pennies I can assure you).

Review #2
Tonight I viewed the show from the 11th row, of section 2. (The audience did not stand through the entire show this time) Jack's voice seemed noticabley weaker at the start of the show, and certainly faultered several times after the initial recovery, but the instrumentation of each member was noticably better, and more free flowing. Eric's solo contributions were astounding to say the least. His speed blinding at times. Crossroads came closer than I have ever heard in tempo to the version on "Wheels of Fire".
Ginger's solo on "Toad" was riveting, and longer than last nite. By the time they got to "Sunshine" I was halfway expecting a generic 4 minute reheated serving, but the solos were fresh Cream.
I can't wait to hear them tomorrow night.

Review #3
well this review is only going to address a few musical thoughts after a safe, wet ride home.
YES I AM GLAD I SAW the Second NY Cream Reunion Show

Claptons playing was fluid and at times looser than i would have ever thought i would hear him in person however for the most part so focused on his incredible tones in this venue with such a small ensemble, numbers only

jack well his voice is still such a great story teller, i had to look at my brother and say hey Sunshine(the chorus) finally sounds perfect
thought his playing was tight and on the fretless bends some notes in a really unique way, stayed very safe, aggresive safer than i can ever remember hearin him play wiht cream,

ginger, enjoyed every moment, thought it really odd pacing to end the show with drum solo, essentially, at least jam or extension of some kind would have seemed to nrought the guys back together, and ginger looked focussed and happy to be part of IT again

NOW A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS NOT COMPLAINTS
did anyone else hear some weird timing or off timing accents in the tempo for the two quiet parts of badge towards the beginning, sounded to me like eric was more relaxed and ginger was rushing ?, not a real distraction... not a sweet part
also the beginning of white room eric wailed on the wahwah and really made it expressive and when that part between verses were repeated, the wah seemed on but not being used and the distortion made some intense power tones on the closed wah tone very strong tones but like he couldn't hear that the wah was on in his stage monitors so didnt use it

great to see the men get along again, would it be cool if they got some time to write some songs again,

thanks men for trying to give us a modern day quality performance and recording of your incredible talents in playing together,

thanks ny for a good nght and lots of listening, not as many talkers near me yipeeeee

Видеорепортаж REUTERS.

http://tv.reuters.com/ifr_main.jsp...6d862x1072b2983ffx4c7b&rdm=840700.6193695277&wl=false

Strange brew with a vintage Cream froth

BY RAFER GUZMÁN
STAFF WRITER

October 27, 2005


Ginger Baker's nine-minute drum solo came near the end of Cream's two-hour show Monday night, and it was worth the price of admission - even if you did pay $354.50 for your seat.

Drum solos are a thing of the past, as is Cream itself, and there was certainly something nostalgic about this reunion show. The souvenir programs were square, like album covers, and even the tickets, emblazoned with the band's art nouveau logo, were collector caliber. But on stage, the three musicians - Baker, guitarist Eric Clapton and bassist-singer Jack Bruce - seemed less interested in revisiting glory days than in continuing Cream's original mission: channeling the blues into a form of powerful, pounding, mind-altering rock and roll.

Some in the audience altered their own minds (the smell of marijuana was powerful) and they probably enjoyed the vintage color swirls on the video backdrop, not to mention the band's famously nonsensical lyrics, better than most. But you didn't need a controlled substance to enjoy the spectacle of three astoundingly good musicians doing what they do best. Baker provided the thudding beats (and some delicate, jazzy fills) while Bruce drove the melodies with his bass and Clapton painted glowing canvases with his guitar.

Clapton generally took a back seat to Bruce, who resumed his role as the band's front man as if only a few months, rather than nearly 40 years, had passed. (Cream played its last U.S. concert at the Garden in November 1968.) Bruce opened the show with "I'm So Glad," then delivered a snarling version of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful." On "Rollin' and Tumblin'," a blues numberplayed at steam-engine speed, he traded his bass for a harmonica while still belting out the lyrics. He juggled all three on the mournful "Sitting On Top of the World."

(Near the end of the show, Bruce's fast-working left hand appeared injured - he frequently dropped it from the neck of his bass, flexing his fingers or pressing them to his thigh as if trying to work out a cramp - but there was no audible change in his playing.)

Clapton revealed more spirit and imagination than he has of late. He sang passionately on "Stormy Monday" and worked up some friction with his guitar. And during the closing "Sunshine of Your Love," he delved into the distorted, swirling jams that made him a legend in the first place. Clapton has obviously eclipsed Bruce and Baker since the demise of Cream, but his old band mates served him well Monday. Clapton's take on "Crossroads" would have fallen flat without Baker's punchy drumming, and it was Bruce's hard-hitting bass that gave "Tales of Brave Ulysses" its power.

The show had more than a few meandering moments - but then, this is a '60s band we're talking about. Overall, Cream made its version of the blues sound once again very much alive.

CREAM. Past its expiration date but still fresh. Monday through Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Seen Monday.

ВОТ ОЧЕНЬ ИНТЕРЕСНОЕ НАБЛЮДЕНИЕ СВИДЕТЕЛЯ...

I was 10th row on the floor - dead center - for Monday night - and watched Jack and Ginger torment each other through about a third of the sow. It was great! Just like the good old days. Jack was on fire. He came out and was literally snarling as he was playing. Unlike the RAH show, he played his ASS OFF during Stormy Monday and I think pushed Clapton to one of the best solos he's ever taken. It was the first time they did that song where it sounded like Cream - not like Clapton with a back-up band.

But as Jack got louder and busier - Giner started holding his ear. Finally, he's yelling at Jack to turn it down. Meanwhile Jack is shaking his head, "no". And so it goes. And Ginger is getting more and more pissed. And Jack is unstoppable - until.....

"We're Going Wrong".. (How's that for irony). Ginger's got the tympany mallets out and he's swinging them real hard. And as most Cream fans know, there are several points in the song where it is supposed to go down to a whisper before the big build-up. Well, Baker was having none of that. He's slamming away. And now Jack is gesteuring to Ginger to softern it down. But now it's Ginger's turn to piss off Jack. And he continues to pound at the drums.
Finally, Jack stops singing, turns around and the two engage in some sort of "argument" which most was mostly hand gestures and screaming at eah other. Finaly, Ginger quiets it down. Jack goes to the microphone and starts to sing and -
WHAM- Ginger hits the drum as hard as he can! Jack sings again and BLAM!!! Another loud hit! Meanwhile, Clapton is soloing through all of this nonsense. And I'm sure most of the audience is focused on him instead of the so called rhythm section.

Anyway - they semed to have made up after Toad - because they were in good spirits when they came back for Sunshine.

It was really fun watching the three of them making faces and goo-goo eyes at each other. And it added drama to the great music.

Overall, they were pretty sloppy -missing cues left and right. But the energy was much higher than RAH (due to Bruce) and they were pushing. Other postings complained about Clapton not wanting to play out on the jams. But what I saw on Monday was Ginger continuing to be the one that brought it back. They had an incredible groove going on NSU and Ginger would bang and BANG and BANG!!!! until the two came back. Jack looked at Eric - shrugges his shoulders and walked back to the mike. On Deserted Cities, Eric was already into an extended solo when Baker insisted on going back into the song instead of flowing with the groove.

I was also pleasantly surprised when Eric seemed to decide, on the spot, that he'd to to the wahwah pedal for the White Room outro.

And I was glad to see Jack addressing the crowd, not Eric. NYC just frikkin' loves Jack Bruce. As well they should.

I had a great time. It was like a party with a bunch of old friends, even though I had actually met all of those people for the first time. The love and the insanity of this great NY crowd, plus just having these incredible seats, made for an incredible and memorable time. Even Cream with missed cues and ego fights were so much better than anything that passes for live music these days....it was beyond my capabilities to describe the intense delight of seeing these guys do their thing.

And, btw, I don't know what the News is talking about - Ginger's solo was not a bunch of shuffling - he was tighter, more controlled while also taking more chances than he had previously. Another words - awesome. Of course.

This performance reminded me more of old Cream than anything I saw from the FAH shows.

Ginger behaved himself for the rest of the song

Коля, лови своего любимца! ;)

Фоток более сотни. Отсортирую - выложу.

Послушал оба концерта - впечатления даже в чем-то лучше, чем от RAH'а. Более раскованно играют, хотя это и приводит к ошибкам, но они то как раз не особо портят впечатление, это же все-таки живое выступление. Даже немного жаль, что эти шоу (если я не ошибаюсь) не будут запечатлены на видел для потомков.

2SergeK:

>Коля, лови своего любимца! ;

А как же насчёт другого?;)))

Кстати, слава Богу, что Клэптон хоть постригся, а то ему совершенно не идёт быть волосатым:)))

October 26, 2005
Cream - Madison Square Garden, New York

Review #1
The last night.... I was a bit worried to see this show after last night's show. I still think that was one of the best Cream shows. I had high expections, the last show should be even better!
But by the time they played Sleepy Time Time I had the feeling the show like Sleepy Time Time... Nothing exciting so far. Don't get me wrong, the playing was great on the first few songs but not really exciting. I got a bit worried, to me the guys looked tired. Tales of Brave Ulysses was fine, still a great song to play live. But the concert really took off with N.S.U., amazing guitar solo! Fantastic! And after that there were great versions of Politician, Stormy Monday, Badge, Born Under A Bad Sign, We're Going Wrong. It is very interesting to hear the way the guitar solo built up in We're Going Wrong. It makes me remind of the music from the Edge of Darkness!
Sunshine Of Your Love was fantastic too. Nice interplay between the three of them. And than... All of a sudden it is all over! Three times bowing, waving and that's it....

Last time ever? Well, the only thing I can say is that I enjoyed every single Cream concert that I have been to. I have seen about 150 Clapton concerts and these Cream concerts definitely are on top of the list of the best concerts I have ever been too!

Review #2
Let me start by stating that I am not qualified to comment on the first two songs, thanks to Ticketron, who for no apparent reason thought it would be cool to cancel my Section 3, Row Y seat 7 Will call ticket. And I'd like to thank the extremely rude and insensitve (save one) MSG ticketing employees and supervisors who could not give a rats ass. So I had to go to the Touts and rustle up a single...
So I had to calm myself down to enjoy the show. Now it may be the mood I was in, but in spite of the fact that I love Cream, and all 3 members shined tonight from time to time, I did not think tonights show had as much to offer as the first night, and certainly not last night. For instance, crossroads went back to a more pedestrian tempo akin to EC's versions of the 80's and 90's. (Tuesday night's version was way better) There was a big glich in Sweet Wine when Bruce sang the wrong lyrics (His comment after the song was: "that was fun"). Then again in Sitting on top of the World, at least tonight (unlike last night) EC at least took a solo. I might add that this song was a low point of each night for me, as my all time favorite song is the live version of Sitting on Top of the World found on "Goodbye" Eric blazes his solos on that version, and I had hoped to witness something similar first hand (no such luck). Ginger's solo was a great crowd pleaser as always. He is in my humble opionion, the greatest living Rock/Blues/Jazz drummer alive, and when I told him so back at Trancus Market in 1990, he politely agreed with me!

Jack tossed his Mouth Harp to the audience (and a lucky sole) at the conclusion of Rollin and Tumblin, which was certainly good.

Anyway, they ended on a great note, with some fierce improvisation and distortion/feedback in Sunshine of your Love.

Last night I noticed that Eric had a Gibson stashed on the stage, and I half way expected him to break it out and play it. Again, no such luck.

Review #3
Oh, man. After being at MSG for Nights 1 and 2, and seeing the progress made in those shows, I was expecting either more, or more of the same.
There was so much promise in the air: EC finally took charge on Night 2, delivering spirited and passionate solo after solo, freeing himself from his modest confines, and trying to leave Ginger and Jack in his dust.

There was so much anticipation: it was their last (?) show, Little Steven was there, Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz... all the musical stars were here to watch their swan song.

High (low) lights: Clapton... he didn't play badly, but the person on the stage tonight was clearly different from the guy who plugged into his amp yesterday evening.

Let's face it: For the most part, Cream lives or dies by Clapton. You ask any casual person what they think about when they think about Cream: they think about loud, improvisational jams. True, bass and drums are integral parts of that 3-part formula, but it's the guitar and guitar player that leads the charge. It's the element most people gravitate toward, it's the clearest, loudest, and most distinct instrument. If the guitar and/or the guitar player falters, the rest of the formula will not work out. The '60s Clapton enjoyed taking long improvisational jams, bending those strings, straining for the feedback, pushing himself further and further. In order to keep up with EC, Jack and Ginger had to naturally push themselves even further. This dynamic of EC being selfish with the solos forced the rest of the band to play even louder and more creatively; thus, creating a phenominal live act.

So, when Clapton shows up to gigs like he did last night, JB and Ginger must kick it up an notch, which takes Cream to another level. Oh, how great it was last night.

Oh, but, not tonight.

Tell-tale moment: I knew we were in trouble during Spoonful (Song #2!). EC just finished his solo and was waiting for JB to start up back into the vocals. Instead of beginning the vocals after the guitar break (which had been done on every performance this tour), JB hangs back and plays an *extended* (not so grand) solo. EC is looking around just gently strumming his chords waiting for JB to wrap up. I was close enough to see EC sigh multiple times during the bass solo.

You're playing your last concert, two songs into the show, and you're sighing?? You certainly don't want God on your bad side... 40 days and 40 nights of unspirited guitar playing ahead!

I may sound extreme, and to give EC credit, he did come back with his sporadic fireworks. But, he clearly wasn't in the mood as he was in last night. Toward the end of the set, he was just phoning it in (i.e., compare Crossroads last night to tonight... no comparison).

JB and certainly Ginger (whose performance I think kept getting better and better after each show) rose to the occasion. But, the guitar and its player drive the success of a band's live performance, and EC wasn't all there tonight.

Oh well, I went to all 3 shows... saw the excitement and felt the anticipation of Night 1, was transported to another realm with the playing and effort delivered by EC and the boys on Night 2, and saw perhaps Cream's last performance (from the first row!) tonight. All in all, I think it was money and time well spent.

Long live the Cream!

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