User Reviews

For any who saw Cream live or collected their albums, this video will provide a perspective on the short but intense career of the band. It will further enhance the viewing of their reunion gig at Albert Hall in 2005. Cream, truly the cream of the crop at the time and even now, representative of the best in rock and roll. The lead in to the video provides a backdrop on the development of each of the members of Cream, the bands they played in prior to the formation of Cream and the musicians that influenced them. The studio and concert footage is typical of the time, complete with quirky camera techniques and lighting. The interviews reveal how the band formed and the distress they experienced as a result of the grueling tour schedule and the greed of the music industry. What comes through, beyond any bitter memories, is the pride they felt as a group and the joy they experienced together.

This video is a bit long-winded, but it nevertheless features some excellent footage of Cream playing live, throughout their brief career. I would rather see a complete recording of a well-regarded show, with commentary available following. That format flows much better. Still, listening to Ginger Baker mumble his way through stories of tripping acid with Eric Clapton makes a person grin, especially when they follow that up with a killer performance of "Tales of Brave Ulysses". Ginger also makes one wary of taking acid, as he has obviously had way too much, but damn can he play. My only regret is that I didn't get to see Cream's reunion show. Hopefully the one from New York will soon be available on DVD.