Cream: Royal Albert Hall – May 2,3,5,6 – 2005

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Elly Roberts reviews

Cream: Royal Albert Hall – May 2,3,5,6 – 2005
Distributed by
Warner Music Vision

    Cover

  • Cert:
  • Cat.no: 0349704212
  • Running time: 167 minutes
  • Year: 2005
  • Pressing: 2005
  • Region(s): 2,3,4,5, PAL
  • Sound: DTS 5.1 Surround Sound
  • Languages: English
  • Subtitles: Interviews only – English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese
  • Widescreen: 16:9
  • Disc Format: DVD 9
  • Price: £24.99
  • Rating: 10/10 (Music); 10/10 (DVD)
  • Extras:Alternate takes (27 mins), Interviews – Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton

Power-trio Cream rises to the top once again.

Along with Live 8, it was the musical highlight of the year – some might saythe past three decades. Thirty seven years on, the venue’s the same (RoyalAlbert Hall) as their Farewell Concert on November 26, 1968 caught by TonyPalmer’s epoch-making film. But my how they’ve changed.

Clapton, Baker and Bruce give us another large spoonful of their groundbreakingheavy-blues which rocked the world for too short a time, 1966-68. They’dreached a crossroads and split.Captured on their much publicised reunionearlier this year, B-B-C rolled back the years in front of an ecstaticcapacity crowd. With tickets selling way beyond face value on the openmarket (for as much as £1,500 ), only the lucky ones stood any chanceof seeing their heroes – until now.

In 1968, film and sound recording rock concerts was primitive, now we getthe full works – better techniques and sound.

The trio were special then, and so they are today, as they still exhibitthe qualities that propelled them to god-like status – inspiration,profound understanding of each other, and outstanding skill. Their loud musicintroduced the ‘cutting-edge’ guitar solos to popular music: a prototype for‘70s progressive rock bands.

From this footage, it’s obvious they retain the respect they had way back intheir heyday. In fact it was musical appreciation society: it still is. Theirintense rivalry seems to have dissipated over the decades, as envy and hatredhave all but melted away. At the time it drove them on, now it brings rock’sfirst ‘Super-Group’ back once more. Filmed over four nights, unlike theone-off ‘Farewell’, we’re given the opportunity to see them on a consistentbasis – consistently brilliant.

Incredibly, Clapton only gets one composition (co-written with George Harrison)the memorable Badge from ’69, and their last UK single. The rest ofdisc 1 is devoted to legendary bluesmen Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, BookerT. Jones and Bruce and Baker collaborations. Disc 2 features only one Claptonsong again: a collaboration with Bruce and Pete Brown – Sunshine Of YourLove, with the remainder Baker, Robert Johnson and Chester Burnettstandards, all exquisitely delivered to the crowds delight.

Most songs bring a thrilled reaction –it’s Sunshine that gets the biggestcheer and gets them on their feet for the finale.

Performance wise, by comparison with ’68, the music is less urgent and edgy,replaced by more finesse and refinement, bordering on smugness.

Each song, some not played since way back, is delivered with self-assured confidenceappreciated by a crowd more familiar with head-bangers (check the ‘gingerhead’on Farewell)

In ’68 Bruce was 27, Clapton 25 and Baker 30 – they’re getting on a bit now,but as an ensemble they’re better than ever.

Essential viewing and listening – sit back in awe.

The full list of tracks included are :

Disc 1:

1. I’m So Glad
2. Spoonful
3. Outside Woman Blues
4. Pressed Rat & Warthog
5. Sleepy Time Time
6. N.S.U.
7. Badge
8. Politician
9. Sweet Wine
10. Rollin’ And Tumbling
11. Stormy Monday
12. Deserted Cities Of The Heart
13. Born Under A Bad Sign
14. We’re Going Wrong

Disc 2:

1. Crossroads
2. Sitting On Top Of The World
3. White Room
4. Toad
5. Sunshine Of Your Love
6. Sunshine Of Your Love (alternate take)

More info atCream 2005.com /Rhino.com

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