Can you give us more details of the show? I am green with envy that you were able to see them! I was a huge fan of Cream in high school, but never saw them live. What was their set list?
If you go to Cream 2005, they posted the London setlist. It was identical, save for the inclusion of Tales of Brave Ulysses before NSU.
What struck me the most was that I was hearing these guys play through modern instruments and amplification. It changed the sound for the better though I’m hard pressed to qualify it.
The interpersonal dynamics were in a much lighter tone; they seemed to be having a blast; Clapton hasn’t sounded this inspired in ages.
I pray they are filming these shows too (like London) and that we get our own set of DVDs/CDs.
Color me envious; I’ve been a huge fan of Cream since the '60s and did seriously consider trying to make it to either the London or MSG shows. I’ve bought the DVD from London and enjoyed it, but as great as it is, they don’t really seem like the fire-breathing Cream of old. All the right elements are there, and Jack especially is wailing his head off, so it’s hard to say exactly why everything seems so…almost mellow compared to the last time these guys rocked the Albert. I suspect a lot of it is down to Ginger driving the band in a more relaxed fashion. Having said that, I did notice that the songs from the Tuesday show (the ones with Eric in a black shirt) are consistently stronger and edgier than the Friday performances that dominate the DVD, so maybe the guys were just getting a little too comfortable at the end of the run.
Now if they’d just come out here and do a run at the Fillmore for old time’s sake…
I was really lucky to attend. When the shows were announced I figured it was a bit expensive and it was during the work week which meant with the travel I wouldn’t get to bed before 1am and I get up at 5:30, so it seemed like a no-go.
But one of my best friends from high school got tickets in one of the corporate boxes (from a company that he does a lot of business with), and so I got the invite.
My wife (God bless her) encouraged me to go, saying it was probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this band.
But I was right about the late bed-time and today 2 days later I still feel it.
It’s hard to make up for lost sleep! (The World Series isn’t helping matters).
I only wish I could see them! I have friends who work at MSG and will get the scoop on the concert when I talk to them this weekend.
A quick story - years ago I was involved with a new teen center being built in my little Midwestern home town. To raise funds, they decided to have a concert at the local gymnasium. They called a booking agent in Chicago, gave the price they could afford for talent and the agent said, “I have two group in that price range - pick one: Cream or The Buckinghams.”
I was out-voted.
The Buckinghams came to the local gymnasium.
The turn-out was dismal and we wound up doing car washes and baked sales for years later to make up for that debacle.