Cream - Live Cream
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CD Details
Artist: CreamEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Live, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 1998-04-07
Music Label: Polydor / Umgd
Product features:
- CREAM LIVE CREAM
- N.S.U.
- Sleepy Time Time
- Sweet Wine
- Rollin' And Tumblin'
- Lawdy Mama
Music reviews of Live Cream
Music Review: a living document
Rating: 3 Stars
'Live Cream' was released in June of 1970, more than two years after most of the tracks were recorded at the Fillmore West and Winterland sites in San Francisco, and 3 years after 'Lawdy Mama', the predecessor to 'Strange Brew', was laid down at Atlantic Studio's. All of the live tracks are extended versions of songs found on the band's first studio release, 'Fresh Cream'. There is a 'Live Cream - Volume Two' (released in March of 1972) disc also available, and those tracks are drawn from Cream's second and third studio releases, 'Disraeli Gears' and 'Wheels of Fire', so it appears some forethought and planning went into these live documents. Together with live tracks from 'Wheels of Fire' and 'Goodbye', there is as much live material available from the band as there is studio work.
Since 'Fresh Cream' was primarily a blues-rock album, 'Live Cream' exudes the same feel. On most of the numbers, however, such as the opener, 'N.S.U.' and 'Sweet Wine', the blues are fairly rapidly clicked up a notch as the band jams in rock mode. While 'N.S.U.' only timed out at 2:47 on 'Fresh Cream', it burns for over ten minutes here, while 'Sweet Wine' keeps pouring out for over fifteen minutes. Mercifully, especially given the year was 1968, we are spared any extended drum solo's, although if any drummer was worthy of an extended drum solo, it would be Ginger Baker. 'Sleepy Time Time' and a fine cover of Muddy Water's 'Rollin' and Tumblin' are only broadened by a few minutes over their studio counterparts on this disc. Jack Bruce contributes all of the lead vocals while Eric Clapton supplies occasional background support. The musicianship is exemplary, with Bruce's bass improvisations predominant. Clapton's guitar is certainly exceptional, but by his standards this isn't his most accomplished recordings. I believe the live tracks from 'Wheels of Fire' put on a finer display of his talents, although my own perception may be biased as I favor his playing in the psychedelic, wah-pedal mode.
For my money the real gem in this collection is the shortest, and most out-of-place track on the disc, that being the closer, 'Lawdy Mama'. If you never heard the song that 'Strange Brew' is based upon, here's your chance. The author of this traditional blues number is unknown, but here we get Cream's version, arranged by Clapton. The lyrics to 'Strange Brew' are better, and as you listen to the song the effects of years of conditioning will most likely compel you to 'hear' those lyrics over the verses of 'Lawdy Mama'. It's a great historical piece, even if it is completely out of place on this disc.
'Cream' had already disbanded when 'Live Cream' was released in 1970. In fact, Clapton had already written the next chapter in his career by recording the 'Blind Faith' album with Steve Winwood the year previous. So the two live discs that were released in the early 1970's were an attempt to further document, and profit from, the short-lived phenomenon that was 'Cream'. We're fortunate to have these recordings, even if they were only dusted off and released because there wasn't anything else being produced. The sound is tremendous, but since the disc was remastered there was an opportunity to expand on the track listings and the liner notes. Unfortunately, the producers did nothing to go beyond what was made available on the original vinyl release.
Description of Live Cream
CREAM LIVE CREAMClassic Rock CDs
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