Grand CD Listen Through, Part XIV

[the_eggwhite]

Cream - Ultimate Cream
I'm quite a big fan of Cream as a band, but some of their songs grab me a lot more than others. The whole album is good (All tracks have Ginger Baker on drums, so I'm pretty much bound to like it), but I'm just going to list a few standouts songs and moments all the same.

When I say moments, I mean moments. Even in otherwise strong songs, there are moments that are just brilliant. For example, at about one minute three seconds into "I Feel Free" you meet a sudden demonstration of why Jack Bruce is such a strong vocalist - his voice just kicks right in and suddenly the song stands out. It was good before, but that's where it comes alive.

The next two I'll mention are pretty well known songs, so it might sound like cheap shots to call them out. They're well known for a reason, folks - "Strange Brew" and "Sunshine Of Your Love". Strange Brew still sounds fairly fresh and exciting today... unlike pretty much anything else that Eric Clapton's been up to lately (Strange Brew has Eric Clapton on vocals as well as lead guitar, with Jack Bruce stepping back to just play bass). Clapton's voice isn't quite as memorable as Bruce's, but it's odd, reedy quality works well for this one.

As for Sunshine of your love - it's just really quite well known already. What I didn't know was that the bassline was originally written on a double bass rather than a normal bass guitar. It makes sense, though, and I can see it really fitting the song. The drumming is a little unusual in places too - but I can't put a finger on why other than "It's Ginger Baker, of course it's special!"

This also has one of my favourite songs of all time on it. White Room. I don't know why it resonates for me the way it does, but it's just one of those songs I'll always like. As is Crossroads - I know it's not originally a Cream song, but theirs is the version I know best.

Other standouts: Tales of Brave Ulysses, SWLABR, badge (for the bassline and the guitar solo, mainly), Doing That Scrapyard Thing.

In fact - here's the lyrics to that last one:

When I was young they gave me a mongrel piano
Spent all my time inventing the cup of tea
Writing your name in the sea
Banging my favorite head

Missing the last bed waving the cheery herring
Balancing brass bands on the tip of my toe
Phoning your home from a tree
Drinking my favorite loch

When I was old they gave me a model factory
I met three salads on the motorway
Leaving your name at the door
Breaking my favorite egg

Missing the walrus sharing my last banana
Balancing zeppelins on the end of my nose
Calling your name in the zoo
Blowing my favorite mind

If anything needs a "literal video" to be made of it, it's that song, I think.


Verdict: Keep