3) "Politician": I have to thank Nick Moss for reminding me of this little gem. The trippy rhythms meld with more of Clapton's great guitar leads and Jack Bruce sings a timely and timeless message.
4) "Badge": This is one of Cream's best pop songs and it was co-written by George Harrison, who also played rhythm guitar. This is my favorite song by Cream and one of my favorite things Clapton has ever done. There are some great stories about how the song was written and how it got its name because Clapton, Harrison, and Ringo Starr all remember it slightly differently. Time and the presence of chemical complicators have made a true telling all but impossible but the feeling and the melody are the only truth you need.
5) "Crossroads" (Live): Robert Johnson's greatness stands on its own but few have done as much to raise the mythical musician's profile as Eric Clapton and this live performance of one of Johnson's great haunting compositions is where that started. Cream transformed a song that Johnson recorded solo acoustic into something vastly different and in the process pay respect to it.
6) "Spoonful" (Live): We celebrated what would have been Willie Dixon's 95th birthday by remembering some of the great songs he wrote and the many times they've been covered through the years. This is one of them. Howlin' Wolf's version is still my favorite but Cream gave it a more than respectable go. This live version from Wheels Of Fire shows Cream at their expansive, indulgent best.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
You left off my favorite Cream tune: Tales of Brave Ulysses finds that band at their psychedelic best. EC on his first recorded use of the wah wah pedal and Ginger's cascading cymbals back Jack's myth-infused lyrics. Damn I think I need to get a hold off Fumo Verde
2 - Josh Hathaway
I listened to "Brave Ulysses" tonight while writing this, both studio and live versions. That's a definite highpoint for them.
3 - Glen Boyd
"Sweet Wine" and "N.S.U." are favorites for me. I love that first Cream album.
-Glen