Amazing! The power trio of all time to reunite for shows in England.
Man, I'd pay anything to see them here in the states :thmbsp:

At their ages they should rename the band "cottage cheese" or "sour cream".
Jimmy

I heard the same a couple days ago on NPR.
They talking about a week run at the Royal Albert Hall.

I hate to say it, but I don't think it will live up to expectations, mine at least. :no:

I just don't think they'll be able to rekindle the fire of their youth and the times back then. I loved "Crossroads" off ""Wheels of Fire", but Clapton hasn't come close to to that version in years; just check out any of his live recordings since "Just One Night"

And we won't even talk about the "Michelob" version of "After Midnight"

Dust off your vinyl guys and play it on the systems you have now, and wish you had then

I'm with Andyman on this one. Can't see much good coming out of it.

The last Clapton album I could listen to was "Journeyman". I think he's been coasting since then, if not longer.

The last two times I saw him, it was more to say I saw Clapton live. The performances were (to put it kindly) lackluster even with all the talent he dragged along. I still have the review of the triple bill at Alpine Valley back in '90 (SRV's two final shows) and they said Clapton was just going through the motions while SRV blew the crowd away.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with him coasting on his reputation (but the unplugged version of Layla however still makes me cringe....)

At their ages they should rename the band "cottage cheese" or "sour cream".
Jimmy

:lmao:

I LOVED Cream when I was younger. Now I stick with half-and-half.

:D

But seriously, folks....

I would go see them if they came. I've noticed though that I generally like my rock raw, before they cook their brain (somebody stop me!), and that usually means bands' earlier material.

I tend to dislike the unplugged stuff. I want acoustic, I go outside of rock.

I rented a Cream dvd off netflix, I can't remember if it was "Strange Brew" or "Farewell", but it had an interview with Clapton and I was so impressed with his... seriousness.... obviously these musicians weren't just a couple of wankers hacking at their instruments.

Pete

Gonzo, I'm with you- A bud of mine said that version of "Layla" was like a politically correct version of the Bible. They left out the best part-the piano exit. Coupled w/Clapton's guitar, that was simply one of the best pieces of recorded music to come down the pike in the modern era, anyway. -Sandy G

Don't forget some of that great guitar playing on "Layla" was the late, great Duane Allman! :yes:

I cant believe some of the negative remarks about one member of The Cream!
I must admit that Clapton has had a lot of ups and downs, at least as far as my tastes are concerned. When someone has such a large discography and a lot of time in the biz we must realize that that artist could not make the same great album over and over. They change with the times (many times unfortunately) and try new things and ideas. Some work others dont. I bet anyone can pick the worst Clapton recording they ever heard and bet it sold millions. I'm not saying this because I'm a big Clapton nut. I'm really not. Just have to give him the respect he has earned.

Now Cream, they did not sing Layla, or After Midnight, nor did they EVER do ANYTHING unplugged. As a matter of fact unplugged would have been a rediculous idea at the time for these awesome musicians. What Cream DID do was JAAMMM and were about as plugged in as you can get. (at least at the time) Cream was as much a phenomenon as a band. On stage these three musicians combined Rock, Blues, and Jazz with the added atraction of Psycedellia in a way that has really never been topped. There was a definit chemistry between them that allowed each member to almost do their own thing during their extended jams done in many songs. Where the chemistry comes in is the fact that they could do this and still hold the show together. If you watch them on DVD or whatnot you will see what I mean. I am a musician and when I see these guys jamming I scratch my head and wonder how they know what is going on and when to bring it all back together and end the songs. Again they JAAMMed and they did it well. Hell Jimi Hendrix thought Cream was the greatest.

Sure they are older. We all get that way. I think it would be rediculous to assume that age would hinder their ability to play. Sure there have been faster, louder, whatever floats your boat. I don't know if it will be any real BIG deal. At least to us in the states if they only do England. If they cut a recording of it I will be the first to get one. If you dont know anything besides Crossroads, White Room, Sunshine Of Your Love, I recommend checking out Live Cream Volume's 1 and 2 or Wheels Of Fire which is a double mix of live and studio work. Personally I rarely listen to any of their studio work. Live is a whole different story. Theres not a big discography since they were only around for like 2 years.

Rock On!
Tube

These types of situations always rely on personal experience. I never saw Cream perform live. Were they an important part of my musical schooling? Certainly- in 1967 and 1968. Do I expect them to recreate that personal experience in 2004? Certainly not. I would be disappointed in myself if I expected such a magic recreation of confluences. I don't put a lot of stock in retro acts. They did what they did, and it was fine. I have 35 + years of living behind me since then, and hardly ever listen to "fossil" rock- not because it wasn't good, but because there is too much truly wonderful new music to try to get to. "Time keeps on slipping into the future", and all that stuff..........

Can you recombine Cream once it has separated?

I dunno, but REO Speedwagon, Journey, Heart, Berlin and Styx sounded pretty damned good. As did the Moody Blues, the Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller may be losing his voice like Kevin Cronin, but I didn't hear the screaming decrease in any noticable fashion.

If you go, you are going to hear old music (and maybe new) expressed as men and women who've been perfecting and reworking their performances for 30-45 years will do. There will be a vast change in equipment, sound, style and personas. Old problems will be known and usually worked over for the benefit of all members (who are trying to make a $$$ and some need it more than others). Unless you're Axl Rose there won't usually be the eruption of Vesuvius 15 minutes into the concert (we hold the record in Boise, Idaho for quickest Axl meltdown) :no: In other words, the gentlemen will demonstrate the talents and faculties gained through playing in and outside of Cream by playing live versions of Cream and others music which they have specially arranged to showcase said talents. They will receive remuneration and split.

Any questions?

I didn't say they couldn't play because they were getting old. Heck, watch "Bridges to Babylon"; Mick and the boys still rock, and the Allmans Brothers still can play.
What I said is I don't think they could rekindle the fire. Clapton has a documented track record of more mellow performances; the few times I've seen him in the late 70s early 80s he was OK, not Cream kicking fantastic. Heck, to be blunt, I'm on record as saying the stuff I liked best was when he was on heroin. I'm not advocating he go there again, but I just don't think the magic will be there.

But, I'd prolly listen to the recordings made, not rush out and buy them.

I'm sure I would like to hear something like the recorded original, but face it, you don't WANT every artist to sound like they did in 1968--certainly that would be a waste when they've gained so much more insight and talents!

I thought that was what karaoke was for :yes:

I used to make the mistake of assuming that any older artist that put out a bad album (to my ears) was headed on the road of decline. Thank goodness I'm not so narrow anymore.

Musicians aren't atheletes. Radio perpetuates this myth by playing heyday hits but never even mentioning new releases.

While I'm no longer convinced Clapton is God I like some of his newer material ("Riding With the King" anyone?) I would expect the new Cream shows to be nothing like the original shows and musically very interesting.

The last thing I want is a nostalgia act. The last thing I expect live is a recreation of my favorite live albums.