Cream - BBC Sessions (1966-68) {2003 Polydor Remaster}

Cream - BBC Sessions (1966-68) {2003 Polydor Remaster}

EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 209 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 159 Mb

Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 52 Mb | 5% repair rar

© 2003 Polydor / BBC | 076 048-2

Rock / Blues Rock / Psychedelic

This compilation of 22 Cream BBC tracks from 1966-1968 marked a major addition to the group's discography, particularly as they released relatively little product during their actual lifetime. All of but two of these cuts ("Lawdy Mama" and the 1968 version of "Steppin' Out," which had appeared on Eric Clapton's Crossroads box) were previously unreleased, and although many of these had made the round on bootlegs, the sound and presentation here is unsurprisingly preferable. As for actual surprises, there aren't many. It's a good cross section of songs from their studio records, though a couple, "Steppin' Out" and "Traintime," only appeared on live releases, and some of these BBC takes actually predate the release and recording of the album versions, which makes them of historical interest for intense Cream fans. (There are also four brief interviews with Eric Clapton from the original broadcasts.) There's a mild surprise in the absence of a version of "White Room," but otherwise many of the group's better compositions and covers are here, including "I Feel Free," "N.S.U.," "Strange Brew," "Tales of Brave Ulysses," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "Outside Woman Blues," "Crossroads," "We're Going Wrong," "I'm So Glad," "SWLABR," and "Politician." Cream took better advantage of the live-in-the-studio BBC format than some groups of similar stature. There's a lean urgency to most of the performances that, while not necessarily superior to the more fully realized and polished studio renditions, do vary notably in ambience from the more familiar versions. The sound quality is good but not perfect, and variable; sometimes it's excellent, yet at other times there seem to be imperfections in the tapes sourced, with "Sunshine of Your Love" suffering from a (not grievously) hollow, muffled quality. If there's any other slight criticism of this set, it's that a handful of BBC tracks don't appear, including some that don't make it onto this CD in any version, like "Sleepy Time Time," "Toad," and "Sitting on Top of the World." Given Cream's tendency to over-improvise on the band's live concert recordings, however, the concise nature of these BBC tracks (none of which exceed five minutes) makes them preferable listening in some respects. Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Jack Bruce (bass, vocals, harmonica, piano); Ginger Baker (vocals, drums). tracklist: 01 - Sweet Wine 02 - Eric Clapton Interview 1 03 - Wrapping Paper 04 - Rollin' And Tumblin' 05 - Steppin' Out 06 - Crossroads 07 - Cat's Squirrel 08 - Traintime 09 - I'm So Glad 10 - Lawdy Mama 11 - Eric Clapton Interview 2 12 - I Feel Free 13 - N.S.U. 14 - Four Until Late 15 - Strange Brew 16 - Eric Clapton Interview 3 17 - Tales Of Brave Ulysses 18 - We're Going Wrong 19 - Eric Clapton Interview 4 20 - Born Under A Bad Sign 21 - Outside Woman Blues 22 - Take It Back 23 - Sunshine Of Your Love 24 - Politician 25 - Swlabr 26 - Steppin' Out