RIP Jack Bruce

[Jonathan Mallard]

I watched a documentary about Cream a while ago.  Ginger Baker absolutely hated Bruce.  It was palpable.  Clapton was pretty diplomatic about the whole experience.

While true, they patched it up enough to head out with Gary Moore as another power trio - BBM. This was short lived as they only released one album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OcOTzVARDA

[Craig Disher]

I'm glad Jack Bruce's passing didn't go unnoticed on this board. I've been alternating DG and Fresh Cream on my turntable most of the day. No one has mentioned the incredible Live Cream performance of Crossroads. Bruce's bass notes bumping up against Clapton's lead still mesmerizes me.

As great as Clapton was with Cream, nothing he recorded tops this - with John Mayall's Blues Breakers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkulcvRkd4I

How old was he - 19? 20?

[Thomas Dai]

No one has mentioned the incredible Live Cream performance of Crossroads. Bruce's bass notes bumping up against Clapton's lead still mesmerizes me.

Craig,

See the first track linked in reply 11 above or - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHO-CKfxvH0 - 'Crossroads'.

atb

[Sean_A]

I am convinced that once Clapton went through his blues revival phase in the mid 90s that he actually became a better guitarist.  Check out this 1968 version of Crossroads against 2005

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=becWr0vc6cA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHO-CKfxvH0

Ciao

[Doug Wright]

This vignette from Cream's induction into the R&R Hall of Fame (2011) is pretty good (first 5 minutes, then you'll see Bruce/Clapton/Baker accept the award)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tly8etwOcDQ

Born under a Bad Sign from the same event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CcbH3xjdBw&list=RDtly8etwOcDQ&index=2

RIP Jack

[David_Tepper]

Clapton vs. Beck, like Shinnecock vs. NGLA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSnsyzfhY_E

You decide who is which!

[Jim Franklin]

I watched a documentary about Cream a while ago.  Ginger Baker absolutely hated Bruce.  It was palpable.  Clapton was pretty diplomatic about the whole experience.

While true, they patched it up enough to head out with Gary Moore as another power trio - BBM. This was short lived as they only released one album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OcOTzVARDA

One of my favorite Blues discs. I am glad I was not the only one that is familiar with BBM. Gary Moore is a pretty good guitarist in his own right.
RIP Jack

[Adam Lawrence]

I watched a documentary about Cream a while ago.  Ginger Baker absolutely hated Bruce.  It was palpable.  Clapton was pretty diplomatic about the whole experience.

While true, they patched it up enough to head out with Gary Moore as another power trio - BBM. This was short lived as they only released one album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OcOTzVARDA

One of my favorite Blues discs. I am glad I was not the only one that is familiar with BBM. Gary Moore is a pretty good guitarist in his own right.
RIP Jack

'Was', unfortunately. Died of a heart attack in 2011.

[Craig Disher]

I am convinced that once Clapton went through his blues revival phase in the mid 90s that he actually became a better guitarist.  Check out this 1968 version of Crossroads against 2005

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=becWr0vc6cA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHO-CKfxvH0

Ciao

The 1968 Farewell version is a little too mannered - as though they're just trying to get through it one last time. This earlier version on LIve Cream is a better example. All three at their best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvouiDJSTUE

[Sean_A]

I am convinced that once Clapton went through his blues revival phase in the mid 90s that he actually became a better guitarist.  Check out this 1968 version of Crossroads against 2005

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=becWr0vc6cA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHO-CKfxvH0

Ciao

The 1968 Farewell version is a little too mannered - as though they're just trying to get through it one last time. This earlier version on LIve Cream is a better example. All three at their best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvouiDJSTUE

Craig

I would characterize that version is more harried rock n' roll and the 2005 version as more bloozy.  I wonder if the reduced speed has anything to do with the ageing rhythm section.  Ginger Baker is a shadow of his previous form...trying to drum Cream as a 70 year old is a bloody tough gig. 

Ciao

[Andrew Mitchell]

Thomas, that looks like a template Stones's Tongue & Unit stage on that Knebworth clip.. or was it an original?

Quite right Steve, a Stone's stage. I'm guessing it was the original as the RS were the headline act that year, although I recall my mates returning and commenting that the RS weren't very good but that Ronnie and Co were amazing, which they certainly are on the video.

atb

I remember Knebworth 1976 & Channeling Max Boyce "I was there"
I went to see the Stones and had barely heard of Lynryd Skynryd beforehand but they certainly stole the show

[Jim Franklin]

I watched a documentary about Cream a while ago.  Ginger Baker absolutely hated Bruce.  It was palpable.  Clapton was pretty diplomatic about the whole experience.

While true, they patched it up enough to head out with Gary Moore as another power trio - BBM. This was short lived as they only released one album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OcOTzVARDA

One of my favorite Blues discs. I am glad I was not the only one that is familiar with BBM. Gary Moore is a pretty good guitarist in his own right.
RIP Jack

'Was', unfortunately. Died of a heart attack in 2011.

Yes, unfortunately he did. GM will always be one of the best guitarists.