The Very Best of Cream - Cream (CD 1995)

Track number 15 of this 20-song greatest hits album is called, "Those Were the Days." Yes, they certainly were. For two glorious years in the late sixties, Cream produced some of the best and most influential music ever recorded. In my opinion, Cream is the greatest band ever assembled.

Everyone knows that Eric Clapton's guitar playing is phenomenal (see my review on Eric himself), but Jack Bruce's bass and vocals and Ginger Baker's guitar playing are often overlooked. My dad was lucky enough to see Cream live when he was in college and marvels at Ginger Baker's drum solos. People don't even do drum solos anymore! Also, I have mentioned this in my review of "The Cream of Eric Clapton," but it is worth noting again: it is incredible that a THREE-MAN BAND was able to produce the kind of sound these guys do. And with the equipment they had in the 1960s! They certainly weren't working with the modern studios that have a dozen or so tracks to work with.

I have had this CD for a few months now and love it more and more every time I listen to it. The music is bluesy and experimental except for certain main-stream rock hits like "Sunshine of Your Love". Every song is unique. One problem is that some of the songs are too short. I would like to hear more guitar solos in some of them. Nine of the 20 songs are under three minutes long.

The lyrics are interesting and thought-provoking, as well. I grew up listening to Cream and one of the most memorable songs from my childhood is SWLABR, from their amazing "Disraeli Gears" album. The song is obviously drug-induced ("And the picture has a mustache..." "And the rainbow has a beard..." etc.) but it really rocks and the lyrics are a lot of fun. That brings me to another good aspect of this CD: It has great liner notes with a history of the band and critical analysis of their songs. I learned from the liner notes that "SWLABR" stands for "She Walks Like a Bearded Rainbow."

Another thing I discovered last night is how interesting it is to listen to Cream in earphones. It was late and I didn't want to wake up anyone in my dorm. Listening to "White Room" (which I think is the best song ever recorded) in earphones is incredible. There is so much intricacy to Clapton's guitar that you miss when you listen to it in speakers.

I have a replica of a 1968 poster in my dorm room that says "HISTORIC FAREWELL CONCERT: CREAM: This Philadelphia Concert is Your LAST Opportunity to See THE CREAM Before They Break Up Forever." They reunited for one night when they were inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, but other than that, the poster is accurate. At least I have this CD and my dad's story of hearing them play to console my grief of their dissolution.

Cream has two greatest hits albums: this one and one called "Strange Brew: The Best of Cream". I got this one because it has all of the songs on the "Strange Brew" CD and more.
In addition to "SWLABR" and "White Room," some of my favorites include "Strange Brew," "Sunshine of Your Love," (which features one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time) "Politician," "Born Under a Bad Sign" and "Badge" (which features George Harrison, who co-wrote the song with Clapton).