Cream, the original super group and power trio, enjoyed slightly over two years of creative time in the spotlight. Then as quickly as they arrived, they were gone, leaving behind a legacy of great innovative output that sounds just as large today as when it first hit the turntables back in 1966.

The personalities that drove this band, Baker, Bruce and Clapton, were a capricious mix of inspired ability that made sparks fly when they worked together, leaving an indelible stamp on recorded music standards as well as setting the “bar” that much higher for all live performances that followed.

As with other releases in the BBC Sessions series, the over all fidelity of the recordings are lower than one might want or expect. The BBC studio of the mid- sixties was primitive. Most early recordings were done on 2 track machines allowing one for the basic track and a second for nominal overdubbing, then mixing down to mono for broadcast. Also, recording engineers who, unfamiliar with the new music, were hampered by equipment that was incapable of capturing the incredible volume at which the new bands performed. As the 1960’s played out these shortcomings would eventually be overcome. Advances in BBC’s live recording abilities are evident in the time span covered by this collection (1966-1968). Technology, however, never distracts one from the magic in the grooves. This collection of Cream’s BBC recordings are a great addition to your collection, warts and all.

Many people consider Cream the father of the extended solo. These tracks show that they could say just as much in a 2 to 4 minute format as anyone. Without a doubt, they were one of the most inventive and exciting live bands of that era. The tightness of this consortium of players is evident in tracks like "Crossroads". And here it packs just as much power at 1:53, as the later 1968 version we know from "Wheels of Fire".

These tracks provide a provocative overview of their time together; from the debut single "Wrapping Paper" through nascent versions of "Rollin’ & Tumblin’" and "Traintime", ending with the influential classics of "Sunshine of your Love" and "Politician".

The liner notes by John McDermott are extensive and illuminating. Accompanied by a timeline of what was recorded at which session and a number of photos of the band, the package is nicely put together and tastefully done.

I give this disc a very strong three and a half stars. I would not recommend this disc to someone unfamiliar with the group; I would recommend they start with "Fresh Cream" or "Disraeli Gears". If this were to fall into the hands of a freshman fan I don’t think they would be totally put off, but it's really not for everyone. The folks who will ultimately get the most from the recordings are long running fans. There are also included in this set, 4 short Eric Clapton interviews that provide a bit of insight to Cream and the sessions.

Like the other titles in the BBC series, this release will satisfy the “got to have it all” collectors in the crowd. It won’t shed any new light or give us any deeper insight to what we already know to be the genius of the players, but it will give us 1.1 hours of some of the hottest moments in music history.

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Cream

The BBC Sessions

Released: March 25, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: 70:46
Tracks: 26
Produced by: ?
Compilation Produced by: Bill Levenson
Engineered by: ?
Mastered by: ?
Style: Live
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Polydor Records
Website:
N/A

Sweet Wine
Clapton Interview 1
Wrapping Paper
Rollin' and Tumblin'
Steppin' Out
Crossroads
Cat's Squirrel
Traintime
I'm So Glad
Lawdy Mama
Clapton Interview 2
I Feel Free
N.S.U.
Four Until Late
Strange Brew
Clapton Interview 3
Tales of Brave Ulysses
We're Going Wrong
Clapton Interview 4
Born Under a Bad Sign
Outside Woman Blues
Take It Back
Sunshine of Your Love
Politician
Swlabr
Steppin' Out