Cream

Cream

Last year (2005) the rock group Cream got back together for a few concerts. I saw them on a TV special on PBS. They had not performed as Cream for 37 years. Being old enough to have heard them when they first appeared back in the sixties, and feeling rather old myself, it was great to see them. All three men are now in their sixties; Jack Bruce (the bass player and vocalist) 63, Ginger Baker (drummer) 66, and Eric Clapton (lead guitar and vocalist) 60.

Maybe it's because I'm older too, but I really thought they are better now. They slowed down their tempo oh so slightly and sang in lower tones. It was mellow and even a little exciting. And when I heard Jack Bruce sing "We're Going Wrong" I felt chills. I never really cared for the sixties version, but today, age and health problems have changed Jack's voice into something so full of feeling; haunting. And he is still a great bassist.

Ginger Baker played the drums flawlessly, as always; driving, active. I remember when I was a kid, people said Ginger did so many drugs, though he was 29 years old when Cream broke up, he had the insides of a man of 60. Now he is 66 and he has not lost the beat.

Eric Clapton................................................... Any true rock fan needs no explanation. The name means "Rock Guitar God." He is arguably the best guitar player of all time. No serious music lover can rate him out of the top five. Off drugs and sober, the man is better than ever. He plays so fast when he wants, so soft when he wants, and with so much feeling all the time. Painful pleasure, joyful sorrow, up, down, across the fingerboard he moves me to a place where I rarely go; euphoric escape on my air guitar. And he is in great voice. I think he could put down the guitar and just sing! (No, no! Please don't put down your guitar Eric!)

Some say that Cream was the first "Super Group." I'm no expert but it sounds right to me. I know for sure that their music has meant a lot to me for all these years and I am thankful for the new twist on their old, but never tired sound.

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