FRESH CREAM - CREAM
Cream is one of the first, and is some times called the first, super groups. Each one of the members were excellent in songwriting, and musicianship. Eric Clapton, one of the best guitar players to ever walk the earth. Jack Bruce, one of the most influential bassists to ever play. He also played a 6-string bass. And last but certainly not least, Ginger Baker. He probably in the top ten for greatest drummer of all-time. This outstanding line-up is what made Cream the "cream of the crop" no pun intended. With this debut release, Cream transcended the way we think of blues. Clapton ecspecially with his elaborate improvisation during live shows. I now give you the sensational debut album from Cream.
BAND
Eric Clapton : guitar, vocals
Jack Bruce : bass, harmonica, vocals
Ginger Baker : drums, vocals
SONGS
1.) I Feel Free
One of Cream's first hits. This is a short, poppy song that is very catchy. It starts out with backing vocals singing the chorus, with Jack Bruce humming over top. Then, into the heart of the song with the verses, and choruses. The song is fast, with a great bass line through out the song. Clapton has a good little solo, while the chorus is being sung. Then back into another verse. The song fades out on the band singing.
5/5
2.) N.S.U.
This song starts on with some heavy drumming by Baker. Then Jack Bruce and Clapton start in. They sing a verse, and the chorus is the whole band yelling at once. Baker has some great fills through out the entire song. mid-song Clapton breaks into a fast paced solo that fits the song perfectly. One more verse is sung, and the song ends abruptly after the bands done yelling. Overall, This song is very catchy, and is one of my favorites by Cream.
5/5
3.) Sleepy Time Time
This is the first bluesy song on the album. Jack Bruce sings while Clapton plays some great fills. This is the first song that breaks three minutes on the album. Clapton really shows off his improvisation skills in this song, compared to the last two songs. He has a good solo at mid-song, Bruce and Baker include some good backing music. The song ends abruptly after the chorus is sung. Ifyou like blues, you'll probably like this song a lot. Overall, not one of my favorites on the album, but it's Cream so it's still amazing.
4.5/5
4.) Dreaming
This is the shortest song on the album at 1:58. Ths song starts out with Bruce immediately singing. This is a very upbeat song asyou can see by the title. Clapton and Bruce kind of layer their vocals in a way that sounds just great. The musicianship isn't the staple of this song. It is mostly concentrated on the vocals, which are very good. But Baker does have a few fills that are pretty good. Not the best, sort of a filler.
4/5
5.) Sweet Wine
This is another one of my favorite Cream songs. The song starts out hard with all instrumented playing the same thing, while the bands yells at the smae time. Then, Bruce sings a verse to the rythme of the music. The music then gets very light real quick, and Bruce sings another verse. Then, Clapton plays a medium legnthed solo, with a great bass line in the back ground. Bruce sings another soft verse, then into a hard solo with the band telling in the back ground. The songs ends on the whole band yelling. Overall a sensational song, and is even better played live.
5/5
6.) Spoonful
This is another blues song. Spoonful is probably their most well-known blues song, and is the longest on the album at 6:30. It starts out with a little harmonica playing, and then right into a verse.Clapton has some of his best fills through out the whole song. Bruce playing the harmonica gives the song a real bluesy song. Bruce has a harmonica solo, at the same time Clapton is playing his guitar solo. This his best solo on the album by far. Bruce plays harmonica and bass at the same time, which I am guessing is not the easiest thing in the world to do. After teh solos it's right back into another verse. One more chorus is sung, and the song fades out. Then, Bruce sings,and the song ends abruptly. Overall, the greatest blues song by Cream, in my opinion. This is also a song origanally written by Willie Dixon.
5/5
7.) Cat's Squirrel
It starts off with a cool little riff by Clapton. Bruce starts to play the harmonica along with the riff. Then, Bruce says "alright" a bunch of times, and Clapton breaks out into an awesome solo. This if followed by the orginal riff heard at the beginning of the song. The song ends on a little harmonica solo, with Baker pounding hard on the drums in the back ground. Not one of the best songs on the album, but the harmonica does give the song a cool sound. This is also a traditional song, Cream seems to love to throw a traditional song onto an album.
4/5
8.) Fout Until Late
This song sounds like it has a faint hint of country influence in it. The guitar style sounds a little bit like country, and the harmonica adds to the country aspect. This is a very short song at 2:07. There is on solo, and it isn't guitar, it's harmonica. Bruce also adds some great harmonica fills inbetween verses. Overall, not another real standout on the album, but it still sounds good.
4/5
9.) Rollin' and Tumblin'
Originally written by Muddy Waters, this song has been remade countless times. But this is probably the best I've heard (with Canned Heat coming in at a close second). This is a very fast paced song. Clapton does a great job playing this song.It starts out with the riff every one knows, and the band starts in yelling to the rythme of the music. Thsn, Bruce starts in singing the verses, and plays harmonica inbetween singing. After the first couple verses, bruce starts a harmonica that sounds great, with Baker pounding away at the drums in the background. Bruce shows that he does have some skill at playing the harmonica. After the lengthy solo is over the song reverts back to the original riff. The band yells just like at the beginning,and then one final verse is sung. After the verse is over the song ends abruptly. This is another Cream classic that is always a great listen.
5/5
10.) I'm So Glad
This is one of my all-time favorite cream songs. The riff is just great, Clapton does a fantastic job of guitar strumming on this song. Then, the bass joins in, and the whole song comes toghether in all its glory. Clapton does a great job of singing, and his voice fits perfectly with the song. After a few verses, Clapton has a medium length guitar solo, that fits pretty well with the song, it's the perfest pace. Then, the music pauses for a second, and the beginning riff starts up again. The whole band then joins in and sings the chorus. The song ends shortly after the band is done singing the chorus. This song cheers me up every time I hear it, and is a overall great classic rock song.
5/5
11.) Toad
This is Ginger Baker's moment in the spotlight. The song starts out with Bruce, and Clapton playing, and Baker adding great fills. Clapton has a little solo, then fades out. Baker takes over from here. This is a great example of why Baker is one of the best rock drummers of all time. I don't think he ever slows down once in this song, it's just constant rapid paced drumming that sounds fantastic. This song is the equivaleny to Moby Dick for Cream. The rest of the band joins back in at the end of the song, and the song ends on a ending fill by Baker. This is an absolutely great song, and is perfect for drum lovers everywhere.
5/5
This album was the start of the band that died to young. If you are a classic rock lover, then this a an essential album to have in your collection. This probably the second best cream album, next to the flawless, Disraeli Gears. Hope you enjoyed the review, and hope this pursuaded you to go out and buy the album if you haven't already.
PEACE
