Last May, 37 years after their final concert at London's Royal Albert Hall as the legendary supergroup Cream, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton returned to the venerable venue for a sold-out, four-nights-only reunion. "A unique moment in music history," wrote The Washington Times. "It was a long time coming, but worth the wait."
Fans old and new can see why when Thirteen/WNET New York’s GREAT PERFORMANCES celebrates the occasion with the gala Cream Reunion Concert, Wednesday, November 30 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). From the opening "I'm So Glad" to the closing "Sunshine of Your Love," the magical evening offers a trip both back and forward in time.
Acquitting himself as first among equals is guitarist Clapton, at 60 the youngest of the group. The Times called his soloing "simply outstanding, as was Bruce's vocal performance, especially on 'Politician'." Other highlights include the 61-year-old Bruce on harmonica in "Rollin' and Tumblin' " and the surprise inclusion of "Pressed Rat and Warthog," deliciously narrated by Baker, 65, in full cockney growl at the drums.
Releasing just four albums as a group, Cream, as the Albert Hall telecast audience was well aware, left an unquestioned mark on the worldwide music scene. From 1966 to 1968 with hits like "White Room" and "Badge," the trio dominated the charts with a bluesy, masterful approach to the psychedelic rock of the late-1960s, selling 35 million albums.
But could their steamroller splendor be summoned anew in the 21st century? Many, particularly in the press, thought so. "This edition of the heaviest group of the '60s was, if anything, better than its younger version," assessed The Financial Times, "with three musicians playing with a subtlety that in their early days was often lost in the barrage of sound. All three have developed immeasurably. Cream seems more of a group now."
Says Clapton at the top of the telecast, "Thanks for waiting," adding that the group had been cut off in its prime. "What do you mean?" retorts Jack Bruce. "This is our prime!"
A co-production of Thirteen/WNET New York and Rhino, Cream Reunion Concert is directed by Martyn Atkins, with David Horn and John Beug as executive producers. An expanded version of the telecast, which was recorded at Royal Albert Hall May 2, 3, 5, and 6, is available on DVD from Rhino and on CD from Reprise Records.
The program marks the third recent appearance by Eric Clapton on GREAT PERFORMANCES. Last December he headed Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival from the Cotton Bowl, following his March 2004 appearance in Concert for George, the all-star celebration of the late Beatle George Harrison, also from Royal Albert Hall.
As to the Cream reunion, Clapton noted "It's been so long since I've been around something from somebody else that's inspired me. For the last 20 years, it's been up to me to inspire me," he said.
"There isn't a drummer on this earth that has the dexterity that Ginger has," the legendary guitarist added. And Jack Bruce? "Jack has this power thing that happens when he starts to sing and you're off on the side."
GREAT PERFORMANCES is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public television viewers and PBS. Major corporate support is provided by Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services.
Visit GREAT PERFORMANCES ONLINE at thirteen.org and pbs.org for additional information about this and other GREAT PERFORMANCES programs. The colorful Web companion contains a wide variety of images, in-depth information about the programs, and activities for teachers including lesson plans, tips and resources.
David Horn is series producer for GREAT PERFORMANCES; with Bill O'Donnell as director of program development. Barry Schulman is executive producer.
