"Crossroads" - Cream (Live - 1968)

Few groups have ever achieved the stature of Cream, the forerunner of all hard rock music as we know it today. Although founding member Eric Clapton never has never “kissed the sky” in quite the same way as Jimi Hendrix, he did kick music in the ass a bit when he left The Yardbirds to form a new sound of his own.

And what a sound! Along with virtuoso bass player Jack Bruce and the maniacal drummer Ginger Baker, Cream went on to mesmerize the entire world of rock and roll in the last half of the 1960’s. By the time 1970 rolled around Clapton was already in Blind Faith and on his way to creating some of the best music of the time with 1970’s double album “Layla.”

Of course, today he is known as the Ambassador of the Blues, and is sort of in charge of keeping classic blues alive. His goal seems to be to pass the music on in as pure a form as possible.  But every now and then I hear some of the old Cream records on the radio; “Badge” has weathered time particularly well; and then I start to look around on You Tube for something I haven’t heard in a while.

This clip is of Cream at their “farewell” concert at Royal Albert Hall on November 26, 1968. It was broadcast on BBC the following January, but never released in the United States until 1977. The group Yes opened the show; along with Rory Gallagher, who was in a band called Taste at the time.

There are many problems with the film; the most notable being that the cameramen seemed to have no real experience filming music;  most of the footage is focused on the faces; rather than the hands; of the musicians. Guitar players everywhere are disappointed when watching this film. We already know what they look like. We just want to see their hands.

Also, if you do watch the entire concert you will notice that Clapton and Baker seem to change clothes in the middle of some songs; and Clapton even has a different guitar for part of some numbers. This is because the film was cobbled together carelessly, with footage from the first show as well as the second show. Still a good video, in spite of the annoying camerawork. 

"Just Dropped In" - The First Edition (1968)

If you’ve seen “The Big Lebowski”, then you’ve heard this incredible piece of psychedelic music before. Funny thing is, unlike a lot of the old records from the time, this one still holds up. It’s got something special; and sincere; about it which keeps it forever relevant. Hey, we all wonder what we’re really made of, and this record explores one man’s journey into his inner self. It’s not as pretty as it is confusing; and unlike “Lucy in the Sky” by The Beatles, with its gentle surreal imagery; I suppose that many people would find themselves less sure of what they believe after listening to this record.

The song itself was probably the impetus for many young people of the time to “expand their minds” through the use of LSD. The irony in that is rooted in the fact that Mickey Newberry wrote it as a warning against the use of psychedelic drugs. First recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1967, it was this 1968 rendition of the recording by Kenny Rogers, with The First Edition, which will always be remembered.

Evidently, it didn’t scare many folks; rather; it might have made them a bit more curious about expanding their minds. Just listen to that guitar solo- which is, by the way, none other than Glen Campbell. Talk about versatility! Glen Campbell was, and still is, one of the greatest studio guitarists ever. His skills ranged from songs like this, to writing scores of hits of his own, doing a stint as a Beach Boy while Brian Wilson was stuck at home, and eventually moving on to have his own Sunday night variety show.

Of course, Kenny Rogers would split from The First Edition and achieve fame as a solo artist, with hits such as “The Gambler” and “Coward of the County” being just two of the ones which spring immediately to mind.

This is one of those songs which I keep on ipod, flashdrive, and even a disc in the car. Whenever, or wherever it comes on, I’m always pleased with the sound and imagery it conjures up. My favorite part of the lyrics is at the end, when he sings “8 miles out of Memphis and I got no spare, 8 miles straight up, downtown somewhere.” It’s a dark and foreboding image, one which reeks of danger and irresistible adventure all at once. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.