Cream
- Royal Albert Hall
(London May 2,3,5,6
2005)
Performance
Production
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Cream
- Royal Albert Hall
Performance
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Formed in 1968 by three of the eras most reputable and skilled musicians, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton, Cream was the original rock and roll power-trio. It was probably a stretch to call these guys a supergroup, at the time of their formation, since Clapton was the only really well-know member of the band, due to his earlier stints in The Yardbirds, and then with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, whose album, Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, prompted all of that "Clapton is God" graffiti to be spray painted all over the streets of London. Cream only managed to stay together for a little more than two years, producing two full-length studio albums, Fresh Cream, and Disraeli Gears, and two half-live, half-studio albums with Wheels Of Fire, and, the appropriately titled, Goodbye. Their music was a brilliant fusion of blues-rock, pop, and psychedelia that went on to influence countless bands, and eventually earned them a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - which must be a record for the band with the shortest lifespan to be inducted. After their "farewell tour" of 1968, Cream did not play together again until their 1993 Hall of Fame induction - 25 years after breaking up. This appeared to be a one-off thing, until, in 2004, it was officially announced that Cream would reunite for a series of shows at London's Royal Albert Hall, the site of their final concerts in 1968. Cream played four nights, May 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2005, at the Albert Hall, and this recording captures performances from the last three nights, with most of them being taken from the May 6th concert. The best of these performances were seamlessly edited together into a 19-song, two-disc set, that also includes alternate takes on three of the songs. This show was filmed beautifully, from the opening shot of the front of the Albert Hall, through the backstage hallway leading to the stage, to peering out at the crowd right as the band walks by and takes their places on stage, and on to the brilliant closing finale of "Sunshine Of Your Love". The cinematography and widescreen presentation is amongst the best I have ever seen. The show begins when the band casually walks out on stage and is greeted by a rousing standing ovation, which was to be expected. Clapton and Bruce glance over at each other with these two huge grins, which is a sign of the chemistry you are about to witness. Clapton kicks off the phenomenal opening number, "I'm So Glad", with some gentle fingerpicking on his black Stratocaster, before Bruce and Baker unleash the rhythm. The harmony vocals are right on the money, and these three legends have never sounded tighter. "Spoonful" certainly proves that Jack Bruce is deserving of the same legendary status as the man on the Strat standing beside him. Bruce is very thin, and doesn't look to be in the best of health - he plays sitting on a stool during many of the songs - but his phenomenal bass playing is still a marvel to watch, and his singing is as strong and passionate as ever. As old as Bruce looks, Ginger Baker could almost pass for his father. It's amazing to look at the guy and realize that he is still one of the world's best drummers. His incredible drum solo on "Toad" would have killed lesser men his age. Clapton is the baby of the bunch, and has aged rather gracefully for a 60-year old, road-weary, rock star with his storied past. As good as Clapton still sounds on the guitar, his playing has definitely dropped a notch since his heyday of the 60's and 70's. I don't know if it is so much his technical ability, but more his current refined style and sound. I've complained in the past about Clapton's lackluster performances of some of these once ferocious old Cream songs, and it is still evident here, although not as much as on some of his recent solo outings. If this Cream reunion didn't inspire him to break out some of his old Gibsons and Marshalls to give these songs the meatier sound they deserve, then I'm afraid nothing ever will. With that being said, this is still one of Clapton's most inspiring performances in the last decade. He seems to get inspired by the people playing around him, whether it be Doyle Bramhall II giving him a good kick in the ass during the last few tours, or playing with his old Cream mates again. The slightly modified version of "Badge" he performs this night, was perhaps Clapton's finest. His singing has never sounded so good, and I loved the ultra distorted power chord he lets ring for about fifteen seconds at the end of the first two verses. Bruce immediately does him one better with a passionately sung and played "Politician". The real highlights of the show came on the second disk, beginning with an awesome performance of "Crossroads", which was highlighted by Bruce's superb fretless bass work. Oh, and Clapton's solo wasn't too shabby either. "White Room" was pretty lackluster, but they rebounded nicely with the epic "Toad", which, just like the old days, featured a heroic Ginger Baker drum solo. At first, I dreaded an extended solo from the old guy, but Baker soon won me over with his dazzling skin work, leaving no doubt that he is still a force to be reckoned with. I'll certainly take a Baker drum solo over him singing that horrendous "Pressed Rat And Warthog" again. "Toad" brilliantly closed out the set, as the director perfectly captured the atmosphere of the theater, letting you absorb the crowd's standing ovation as the band left the stage, and then taking you backstage to show the guys taking a well deserved breather, before coming back out to perform the stunning encore, "Sunshine Of Your Love". You couldn't ask for a much better performance of this classic song, and a more perfect way to end the show. Royal Albert Hall was easily one of the best filmed concert videos I have ever seen. The director, Martyn Atkins, must be a big fan of the concert experience himself - and how refreshing that is! You get all of the essential close-up shots of these masters at work, as well as sweeping shots of the entire stage. One of my favorite shots is the wide angle view from behind the drum kit, looking out over the band at the entire hall. What a marvelous place to see a concert. Instead of constantly switching back and forth between each musician every few seconds, like most directors do, Atkins would linger on a remarkable shot from the side of the stage, capturing all three musicians jamming together. The audio tracks were as impressive as the cinematography, with both DTS 5.1 surround and PCM stereo mixes provided. You cannot go wrong with either one, but the DTS mix added an incredible amount of depth to make you feel as if you were one with the crowd. The hi-def, widescreen picture was exceptionally clear and sharp. The only extra features were alternate takes of "Sleepy Time Time", "We're Going Wrong", and "Sunshine Of Your Love", from different nights, and a 16-minute interview with the band, which begins with Baker saying "It was Eric's idea." Thank you Eric. |
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Set List |
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Running Time: 131 Minutes |
DVD Release Date - October 2005 |