“ วงที่รวม ยอดมนุษย์สามคน Eric Clapton กีร์ต้า , Jack Bruce กีร์ต้าเบส and Ginger Baker เล่นกลอง, ถ้าหากถามคนเล่นกีร์ต้าคงจะน้อยคนนักที่ไม่รู้จักเพลง Sunshine of Your Love ที่มีริฟฟ์กีร์ต้าเท่ห์ๆ เป็นเสียงพระเอกของเพลง ซึ่งเป็นสไตล์การแต่งเพลงของอีริก แคลปตัน ที่มักจะเริ่มแต่งเพลงจากริฟฟ์กีร์ต้าเจ๋งๆก่อน แล้วค่อยใส่เมโลดี้และเนื้อร้องตาม สิ่งที่คุณจะสัมผัสได้จากอัลบั้มนี้คือความงามบนความเรียบง่าย เงี่ยหูฟังกีร์ต้า ไลน์เบส และจังหวะกลอง คุณจะพบความงามในความเรียบง่าย ”

 

1. Strange Brew

2. Sunshine Of Your Love

3. World Of Pain

4. Dance The Night Away

5. Blue Condition

6. Tales Of Brave Ulysses

7. Swlabr

8. We're Going Wrong

9. Outside Woman Blues

10. Take It Back

11. Mother's Lament

 

Rolling Stone

Within the grooves of this record are miles of listening pleasure. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker are simply superb musicians with the gift of unending virtuosity. The title of the album, as Eric explains it, is a pun. The group was driving along one day trying to think of names for the record, coming up with things like "Elephant Gerald" (Ella Fitzgerald) and hit upon "Disraeli Gears," a word play on English racing bicycles which have derailer gears.

Unfortunately the album does not totally hang together, marred by some poor material. They usually compensate for what they lack as composers and songwriters by thorough brilliance of performance. But in some tracks ("We're going Wrong," "Dance the Night Away" and "Blue Condition," among them), the material is too pale to support the heavy instrumental work which makes Cream such an overwhelming trio.

"Strange Brew" stands out as the most complex song and rather an unusual one in that Eric uses reverb—to stunningly mean and sensual effect—and it is really very far away from the usual blues stylings for which he has been noted. In some places in the song, it sounds like the guitar has been triple-tracked.

"Sunshine of Your Love" (an incredibly strong number) and "Tales of Brave Ulysses" are typical Cream pieces. They are structured on a simple, repeating run of heavily syncopated descending (or ascending) chords. In these songs, and on "Outside Woman Blues," where the chord structure is classic, the beauty of Cream becomes readily evident: Clapton's lines, Baker's dynamics, and, to a slightly lesser extent, Bruce's runs are so simply put together that the listener has no choice but to stand in awe of their precision, grace and exquisite sense of time.

"Swlabr" (pronounced "Slobber"?) and "Take It Back" are also two excellent cuts (these written by Jack Bruce and Peter Brown). Cream's new album is more difficult to get into, and thus more rewarding, then the first one. Fresh Cream was recorded over a year and a half ago, at a time when the group was less than two months old. This new LP reflects a more original direction, greater musical sophistication (the guitar is double-tracked throughout) and the polish of a year together.

Despite their recorded shortcomings, Cream happens to be one of the great modern rock and roll groups. If you aren't already hip to it, pick up on Fresh Cream (Atco 33-206) and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (London PS 492), a highly polished album which features Eric in a strict blues context.

On top of the music in the new LP, there is the cover done in exploding day-glo style. The photo-montage on the back is reflective of the fact that Eric Clapton happens to be a Nikon-freak.

Adrian’s Album Reviews

Focus is made on Eric Clapton of course - he was 'the star', or at least, would later become so. But little in Eric Clapton's subsequent solo career could prepare you for this, Cream's classic work of blues psychadelia. Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker both make important contributions not least in terms of songwriting. And, the vocals are great! Well, no, they're not, but they sound good and, shall we say, suitable. Certainly on the likes of 'Strange Brew' which is hard to pin down but strangely addictive all the same. 'Sunshine Of Your Love' is more what you might expect from Clapton with an insidious guitar riff and a blues vocal. Even here the hazy psychedelic harmonies come into the play during the chorus parts. Those opening two songs are dead famous of course but listen to the likes of 'World Of Pain' and especially 'Dance The Night Away' and you'll have a whole different kettle of fish. Stoned but beautiful vocals, intriguing melodies touched by the summer of love. The album was released in 1967 after all. 'Blue Condition' sounds like Punk/New Wave practioners 'The Only Ones'. They came much later of course and its possible they were influenced by this. Still, 'Blue Condition'. Ahead of it's time!

'Tales Of Brave Ulysses' is full of top guitar work, the strangely titled 'Swlabr' possesses lots of great riffs and an urgent exciting rhythm. 'We're Going Wrong' doesn't impress me. It's all pattering drum patterns but lacks much of a tune. 'Outside Woman Blues' is as it's title suggests but it's also a whole load of fun. 'Take It Back' also 'takes it back' - to the blues of course. Whilst these blues based numbers are all good - they don't match the fun, weird psychedelic nature of some of the other material here. The closing 'Mothers Lament' is all 'Small Faces' but also all novelty. Thankfully it's short - but really I could have done without it. Still, an impressive album. Lots of good songs, especially during the first half. A decent album overall.