Disraeli Gears [Original recording remastered, Import]

I can't believe this. just recieved Disraeli Gears remasters. This CD was never remastered, I played it along with the orignal CD, AND THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE. Moral of this story, Don't waste your money on cream remasters. Also, no additional text, and no bonus tracks. I also bought Fresh Cream remasters, can't wait till it comes in the mail, so I can throw it in the trash along with Disraeli Gears!

Forged from technical expertise and personal animosity---remember Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce did not like each other back then---Cream came screaming across the music scene of the late '60s as a powerhouse that demanded to be heard. Though he did not write much of the material and what he did write tended to be eccentric, Ginger Baker clearly powered this trio with his amazing time signatures and ability to match Bruce or Clapton's inventiveness. Jack Bruce seemed to be in his element here: solid, clean bass lines and gutty vocals. Clapton was on a mission back then, and he is inspired throughout this recording.

"Tales Of Brave Ulysses" and "We're Going Wrong" are stands out on a stellar album. If you only buy one Cream CD (excluding the artifical anthologies and best of's), I think this is the one to have.

After their blues based debut album "Fresh Cream," these three brittish virtuosos came to America to record something a little different. Recorded in three days, these three musicains cranked out some of the era's hardest blues and rock. The album kicks off with "Strange Brew" which is a TOTAL ripoff on Albert King's style (one picture from these sessions actually shows Clapton with an Albert King album in his hand!). The song itself is a sharp and catchy opener with some entertaining pschedelic lyrics. Next comes a rock monster-"Sunshine of Your Love." Starting out with a damn catchy hook, and basing itself around driving guitar and drum underpinning this track really emphasizes what Cream was all about (note Clapton's "Blue Moon" quote going into the middle solo). After the ferosity of "Sunshine" they take it down a notch with "World of Pain." Even though it has rather elementary lyrics, Baker's drumming makes this song. Notice his wonderfully off-beat mid tempo drums during the choruses and his blitzkreig bass drums at the fade out. Keeping in the same toned down vein, "Dance the Night Away" follows with a gorgeous ringing twelve string intro by Clapton. This is a very unique Cream song, it almost sounds like The Byrds and contains some excellent eastern guitar by Clapton. This is certainly an underrated track in Cream's recording career, and one which fits the psychedelic era like a glove. Sadly this song is followed by Ginger's slow and sloppy "Blue Condition." This is definitely filler, as Ginger recites (yes recites, not sings) lyrics which aren't entertaining to a melody that can't even save it. "Tales of Brave Ulysses" makes up for "Blue Condition." Starting out with a group one chord intro, Bruce does a slow decending bass line over mythological/psychedelic lyrics. Then Clapton joins in with his sharp piercing wah-wah splashes (the first ever recording of a wah-wah pedal). As the song continues on, Bruce's soaring vocals get louder, and Clapton's guitar becomes harder edged. This is truly a masterwork of Cream and the psychedelic era. "S.W.L.A.B.R." picks up the tempo with some great instrumentalism but odd lyrics ("but the picture has a mustache" WHAT?!?!?). After the furious "S.W.L.A.B.R." the tempo is again slowed down for "We're Going Wrong," which starts out with a very high vocal line by Bruce and wonderful drumming by Baker. Clapton quietly strums in the back until the volume increases and he rips some great solo lines. If Bruce's vocals were perhaps lower (like on the demo version on the Those Were the Days box set) I would love this song, but regardles, it's still a keeper. Now reverting back to the blues, "Outside Woman Blues" follows. Clapton owns this song, as he takes on the singing duties and showcases some great rythem and lead playing. Next it's Bruces turn at the blues with "Take It Back." This song has a great swing element, and Clapton's beefy backing guitar keeps it going. Also, the audience in the back is a great touch! Unfortunatley the album ends on a bum note. "Mother's Lament" is a singalong song with no guitar and just a piano in the back. One thing I would like to see is "The Clearout" from the Lost Sessions (March 1967) added on as a last track. This is a great piece of music with Clapton's power chord lead and Bruce's rampaging bass. It has the Disraeli Gears feel, but I doubt that track will be added anyway. If you own the box set, play "The Clearout" after "Take It Back," the feel is great. However by and large, "Disraeli Gears" is a great album which showcases Eric, Jack and Ginger's talent along with the aims of the psychedlic blues rock movement.