Album: Disraeli Gears
Artist: Cream
Born: London
Released: November 1967
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Influenced: Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath
Though often labelled as the first "supergroup", I'm really not sure Cream deserve that tag; they were certainly missing a good songwriter, as well as a charismatic frontman. On top of that, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker were two of the least likeable figures in pop history. That said, it would be churlish to overlook their influence and this brilliant album on the basis of their personal views or behaviour. Disraeli Gears really did break new ground when it was released, a hard rock fusion of the blues and jazz that put more emphasis on musicianship and guitar solos over the standard verse-chorus format of pop. The songwriting did often lack for quality, a charge that can be levied at many of the harder-rocking groups that Cream influenced like Led Zep, Sabbath and Deep Purple. One real exception on this album though is Tales of Brave Ulysses, written by Australian artist Martin Sharp (who also created the psychedelic album artwork) and brilliantly performed, including Clapton's innovative use of wah-wah pedal.
Both sides of the LP make a strong start and then fizzle out, which makes the album a little short of a stone cold classic. Mother's Lament is a real oddity; its only worthwhile legacy was that it perhaps inspired the Small Faces to make a proper East End psychedelic music hall album. Only Ginger Baker had any real claims to be a Londoner (as one of Lewisham's most famous sons) and his drumming on this album is a real highlight. On Sunshine Of Your Love, he really shines, while this is also one of Jack Bruce's best vocal performances. Other highlights are album opener Strange Brew, with its pulsating groove pointing to Clapton's heavy blues influence, and Dance The Night Away.
Artist: Cream
Born: London
Released: November 1967
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Influenced: Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath
Though often labelled as the first "supergroup", I'm really not sure Cream deserve that tag; they were certainly missing a good songwriter, as well as a charismatic frontman. On top of that, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker were two of the least likeable figures in pop history. That said, it would be churlish to overlook their influence and this brilliant album on the basis of their personal views or behaviour. Disraeli Gears really did break new ground when it was released, a hard rock fusion of the blues and jazz that put more emphasis on musicianship and guitar solos over the standard verse-chorus format of pop. The songwriting did often lack for quality, a charge that can be levied at many of the harder-rocking groups that Cream influenced like Led Zep, Sabbath and Deep Purple. One real exception on this album though is Tales of Brave Ulysses, written by Australian artist Martin Sharp (who also created the psychedelic album artwork) and brilliantly performed, including Clapton's innovative use of wah-wah pedal.
Both sides of the LP make a strong start and then fizzle out, which makes the album a little short of a stone cold classic. Mother's Lament is a real oddity; its only worthwhile legacy was that it perhaps inspired the Small Faces to make a proper East End psychedelic music hall album. Only Ginger Baker had any real claims to be a Londoner (as one of Lewisham's most famous sons) and his drumming on this album is a real highlight. On Sunshine Of Your Love, he really shines, while this is also one of Jack Bruce's best vocal performances. Other highlights are album opener Strange Brew, with its pulsating groove pointing to Clapton's heavy blues influence, and Dance The Night Away.
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