As I was organizing my books, CDs, and DVDs in my basement, I found CREAM: ROYAL ALBERT HALL – LONDON – MAY 2-3-5-6 O5 in a box full of miscellaneous stuff. I had completely forgotten I owned this CD/DVD set.
Cream broke up in 1968 after a farewell tour and the release of their final album, Goodbye, in 1969. Cream chose to reunite in 2005 and play a total of seven concerts: four at the Royal Albert Hall and three at Madison Square Garden. As with any reunion, the questions of “Could they pull it off?” and “Would they be too old?” could only be answered by the music and the DVD of the concert.
Fortunately, the answer to my eyes and ears is: “YES!” Granted, Ginger Baker looks like a seventy-year-old, but sounds like the drummer on those Cream albums from the 1960s. Jack Bruce leans against a chair from time to time, but his bass sounds as good as ever. And Eric Clapton delivers red hot solo performances.
The DVD also includes bonus interviews with Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton that Cream fans will find informative. I need to spend more time rooting around in my basement finding treasures like this! GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
| 1-1 | I’m So Glad Written-By – Skip James | 6:19 | |
| 1-2 | Spoonful Written-By – Willie Dixon | 7:29 | |
| 1-3 | Outside Woman Blues Written-By – Arthur Reynolds | 4:33 | |
| 1-4 | Pressed Rat & Warthog Written-By – Ginger Baker, Mike Taylor | 3:22 | |
| 1-5 | Sleepy Time Time Written-By – Jack Bruce, Janet Godfrey | 6:08 | |
| 1-6 | N.S.U. Written-By – Jack Bruce | 6:02 | |
| 1-7 | Badge Written-By – Eric Clapton, George Harrison | 3:59 | |
| 1-8 | Politician Written-By – Jack Bruce, Pete Brown | 5:09 | |
| 1-9 | Sweet Wine Written-By – Ginger Baker, Janet Godfrey | 6:29 | |
| 1-10 | Rollin’ And Tumblin’ Written-By – Muddy Waters | 5:03 | |
| 1-11 | Stormy Monday Written-By – Aaron “T-Bone” Walker | 8:10 | |
| 1-12 | Deserted Cities Of The Heart Written-By – Jack Bruce, Pete Brown | 3:56 | |
| 2-1 | Born Under A Bad Sign Written-By – Booker T. Jones, William Bell | 5:31 | |
| 2-2 | We’re Going Wrong Written-By – Jack Bruce | 8:27 | |
| 2-3 | Crossroads Written-By – Robert Johnson | 4:25 | |
| 2-4 | White Room Written-By – Jack Bruce, Pete Brown | 5:39 | |
| 2-5 | Toad Written-By – Ginger Baker | 10:07 | |
| 2-6 | Sunshine Of Your Love Written-By – Jack Bruce, Pete Brown | 8:47 | |
| Bonus Track | |||
| 2-7 | Sleepy Time Time (Alternate) Written-By – Jack Bruce, Janet Godfrey | 6:07 |
Sweet indeed. My brother was a huge Cream fan back in the ’60s and I’m pretty sure he saw them more than once. He used to go on and on about Ginger Baker’s drumming.
Jeff, watching this DVD of the concert shows Ginger Baker as wild on the drums as he ever was!
Also was a fan of Cream, though I could not afford to buy their LPs or even go to a concert as a student in the 60s.
But of course there was always someone whose records you could copy to compact cassette.
But my partner and I were lucky enough to visit a concert by Clapton and another of his collaborators – Steve Winwood.
It happened in June 2010 at the Königsplatz in Munich – 15 000 peple watching, open air, lovely wather.
We wanted to travel to Hungary that weekend so when I heard that there were tickets available I called my sister who lives near Munich. She and her husband were very happy to let us stay overnight and care for our lovely dog Alexa.
Fon memories!
PS:
Cream was one of those short lived groups too where the artists had problems with each other and drugs and … like Blind Faith and many others.
They were not able to continue for long – what a pity.
Wolf, many rock groups and solo artists had problems with drugs. That continues today…
I never got into this supergroup.
I was obviously spoiled by all the great music coming out at the time.
Beth, Cream had a short life-span–1967 to 1969–but their loyal fans keep them relevant.
Their music was an important part of my college days.
Jerry, Cream echoed in the halls of my dormitory all hours of the day and night!
I wish they’d done “Tales of Brave Ulysses”, but there’s plenty of good stuff here. I think both Jack and Ginger have now passed on…and Clapton has unfortunately entered his “old man yelling about vaccines” stage.
Deb, all three of these guys look old on the DVD of the concert back in 2005.
I’m a fan! I remember White Room playing a lot when I was a prisoner at West Point!
Bob, “White Room” is certainly iconic! And…so are you!