For years I just used to obsess over Jacks bass, but truth is you can pick out any one of the 3 performances here, and it’s the best, totally in harmony with each other.
Having seen Cream many times and contributed to a book about the band, I can testify that this is probably the finest four minutes of live rock/blues ever recorded. Nice one!!😁😁🎸
Hi Jelani, thanks for knowledgeable reactions...as a 73 year old jazz drummer, l really appreciate all good music...these 3 guys take a jackhammer to "Crossroads"...is the stage on fire? Unbelievable performance..
I'm a 67 year old bassist/percussionist..... Jack Bruce was a major influence when I first started playing bass, along with Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin. Thanks for your great reaction! 👍
Rock on! I love each of those iconic musicians. I love the how Bruce and Eric complement each other even as each of them are jamming their brains out! LOVE IT!!!
I grew up in the 80s playing guitar and loving this song...one of the first I just had to learn on guitar. Learned the chords, which were easy enough, then just tried to make up my own solos. Back then I never had a good stereo system with bass that you could hear well. It was probably only 10+/- yrs ago I actually heard all the bass lines....and am still absolutely astounded😮. 😅😅 The really cool thing about UA-cam is, while you cant really isolate tracks, you can adjust the speed a little ..(or a lot!!) Just went back last nite and listened to this again on 0.75x...really helped me hear Bruce's lines better on my JBL bt spkr...to think they were doing it all live too..😅😅 WOW! This was like my fav song eve for the longest and still probably will be lifetime top 10. And I listen to all different genres and time periods.
I've always considered it the greatest rock song ever. It's a Robert Johnson blues played live by British invaders at their most transcendent peak. It encapsulates just about everything possible that core rock is about. Was amazed that Joe Bonamassa said it was the greatest blues/rock song of all time. Excellent analysis you did...spot on!
@@TheNoncritical1 : yep, but my thoughts were poster was informing those who don't know that Bruce was a great vocalist - in fact Cream's lead vocalist
"The Crossroads" is a symbol in The Blues of a place where folks experience confusion, challenges, and a time of crucial decision-making. It's where someone who's down on their luck are tempted by the Devil to sell their soul for a solution to their problem. The challenged person is confused about which way to go, which road to take out of the four (or more) roads that intersect at a scary time in their lives.
I think Jack Bruce may have turned in the best electric bass line ever in Crossroads. There's no way to know what he's going to do next, and it all works beautifully. Several bass players have written Crossroads bass tabs and posted UA-cam videos of their attempts at duplicating Jack's line. Some of them are very good but I don't think anyone has gotten it perfectly yet.
And Honestly I think anyone will. People can transcribe, play it, replicate it, but what Jack played came from deep inside and produced an energy that can never be replicated.
I went to see Derek and the Dominoes when Layla was in the charts, but what were the audience shouting for.... yes Crossroads! If you can dig out the recording of Eric's early band, Powerhouse, you can hear the genesis of this performance.
In the '70s, if you were in a local band that played any kind of blues, the Cream version of "Crossroads" was a staple item on the playlist. And that's for the reason you gave, bro. It's a great jam song.
Oh yeah! My band used to play it and I remembered we always tried to hurry up and get through the vocals so we could just jam out on it for the next 10 minutes!
There's a 14 yr guitar prodigy that just wrote his (ode) to the Robert Johnson's Crossroads. He's Taj Farrant and he even plays every instrument on his recording and of course sings. The blues seems to be a part of him. He has many videos of him covering Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others for the last 6 years. His Crossroads premiered as #1 on the US and Australia Blues charts.
Amazing and inspirational piece of music. Learning songs like this and other Cream songs turned me into a very proficient bass player. Great reaction and knowledge by Jelani.
Glad you like it! I LOVE HEARING Jack Bruce on this track! Not only is he hanging tough with Eric, but he's also holding down that pocket with Ginger. Truly remarkable!
@@JelaniStokes excellent content & a pleasure to watch your journey as you experience musical masters.. Gary Moore (The Messiah will come again. Live version. or Parisienne walkways (live version). Dire Straits, sultans of swing alchemy live. or Brothers in Arms. Roger Waters, Amused to Death album. I hope you get time to react to the above. Much Peace & Love from Northern Ireland ❤️
Hello Jelani- I loved hearing this throwback (way back lol) of Cream. How lucky we are to have the ability to see such performances and the progression of the band members as time passed. I would like to request a reaction of Dimash and the Super Vocal Boys, Queen medley, Singer 2019. I believe you would enjoy it. I have been watching some of your videos of you and past band members. Your talent and the others is just incredible. Thank you for sharing. I'll get to all of them eventually. -Vickie
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! You are much too kind and I truly appreciate your kind words! I just put your request on my upcoming video list so I hope to share my thoughts on it in a future video! Again thank you soo much Vickie for your kind words!
Really aggressive bass in this cut. Forget the stay-in-the-pocket stuff. Bruce is all over the fret board, playing counter melodies and really competing for the spotlight with Eric and Ginger. Maybe the best blues break, especially break number 2, of all rock.
Good reaction, JS, and, to me (an amateur pianist), the more musicians on YT reacting to music, so much the better. To me, articulation and informed analysis (somewhat hard to find amongst your peers) are key, and you appear to have those things DOWN (this is the first time I've heard of you). Musicians reacting to other musicians adds a whole new level to the 'reaction' playing field and I appreciate it. Keep up the good work! LL
One of the biggest disappointments of my youth was the day (April 7, 1968) my friend and I had tickets to see Cream at the Eastman Theater in Rochester, New York. We were really psyched as we took our 2nd row seats, because we were about to see and hear 3 of the greatest musicians in the history of Rock music. I idolized them. Well, we're sitting there waiting anxiously, when an announcement is made over the PA system. Cream has canceled their performance at the last minute. No reason was given. It was also announced that the opening act, Vanilla Fudge, would play an extended set. But my friend and I were there to see Cream, so we walked out. Just recently, and more than a half century after the canceled show, I found out that the reason they had canceled was that their equipment failed to show up! Bummer!
WOW....Yeah I know that's something that would stay with you forever. I know that's what I tell my students that as a performer, you do everything you can to get on that stage because they've come to see you so it's time to give them a show.
@@JelaniStokes My friend questions whether that was the real reason they canceled. I know that they were known to take hallucinogens, especially Ginger Baker, and I had read that Baker had made them miss concerts, because he was so wasted. Regardless of the reason, it still was such a disappointment. I was lucky enough though to see the Jimi Hendrix Experience twice in the Winter/Spring of 1968; once in Rochester, New York and 2 days later in Buffalo, New York; 2 "experiences" I'll never forget .....
This appears to be the studio recording overdubbed over a different live video of the song. The solos and everything are note for note with the recorded version - which is an amazing performance. One of my favorite songs.
Believe it or not, this is actually a live performance, which is a testament to the Cream. They never recorded a studio cut of this song, even the version on their 1968 double LP Wheels On Fire (which is where the version in this video originally appeared) is a live track.
Like your style young man. I invite you to discover Pink Floyd, Pulse Concert,, ComfortablyNumb & Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Best wishes & love from Mississippi ! RIP Ginger & Jack
@@JelaniStokes JS , I’m a 65 year old white dude here in Mississippi & the keyboard hanging behind you reminded me of something my dad told me long ago ; it takes both the black & white keys to make beautiful music. Thanks
Of all the reaction covers that have done Crossroads on UA-cam, is there ANYONE that has not been impressed and been really into this song??????? Well, not that I am aware of. It's just too damn good!!!
As everyone else was! The singing was almost seemed like an obligation to get out of the way so they could truly express themselves on their instruments!
All the guitars??? There was only ONE. This was Clapton at his best. If anyone liked this, they are gonna LOVE the next song on the album, Spoonful. That's 16 minutes of the hottest, ripping, down and dirty, searing blues ever recorded. And showing why Clapton is one of, if not the best guitarist to ever come out of England, or anywhere else for that matter.
I want to suggest some fairly unknown artists of 80's 90's that had a few great songs Grayson Hugh "Talk it over" "Bring it all back" "Blind to reason' "Finally found a friend" Henry Lee Summer "Wish i had a girl" "I've got everything" Jude Cole "Time for letting go" "Houseful of reasons" "Baby it's tonight" Curtis Stigers "You're all that matters to me" "Sleeping with the lights on" "I wonder why' "Never saw a miracle" Joshua Kadison "Jessie" "Beautiful in your eyes" Oh and another one Marc Cohn "Walking in Memphis" "Silver Thunderbird" "Ghost Train" "True companion"
WOW! Thank you for the vast list of songs! I just added them to my upcoming music playlist. I can't wait to get a quiet moment when I can just enjoy this music without interruption!
@@JelaniStokesi'm glad you will hardly anyone has reacted to them and they have such soulful terrific voices surrounded by some amazing musicians you'll be thrilled i believe
@@timetravellingone Grayson Hugh still gigging in the NY area and Connecticut. I think he's been a music teacher for a couple of decades now. Great talent. Inexplicably he fell of the face of the earth, musically speaking. Should've had a nice career.
A very knowledgeable review. I remember the day I bought the double album in West London in the 60s. Don’t forget the great Robert Johnson who wrote the words. Try listening to the original. Yes, Jack Bruce was rated the greatest bassist of that time.
Jack Bruce was on another planet entirely on this tune.
That ain't no bass. Jack's playing rhythm guitar. :)
@@DenCon143 He was playing a short-scale 4-string Gibson EB-3 electric bass.
Jack Bruce's bass playing on this track is so off the chain I can't even wrap my brain around it.
It what even more amazing is that it NEVER takes away from Clapton's solos! Truly remarkable!!
John Entwistle and John Paul Jones weren't bad , but think Jack Bruce RIP was the greatest bassist ever.
For years I just used to obsess over Jacks bass, but truth is you can pick out any one of the 3 performances here, and it’s the best, totally in harmony with each other.
@@pigstrotters4198 I dunno bout dat as Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorieus, Jeff berlin, Victor Wooten, John Wetton etc are all amazing
Having seen Cream many times and contributed to a book about the band, I can testify that this is probably the finest four minutes of live rock/blues ever recorded. Nice one!!😁😁🎸
All 3 of these guys made a deal at the crossroads !
The focus may be on Clapton, but jack Bruce is the engine that drives this. It’s a powerhouse playing performance.
U have to listen 3 times each instrument
3 different instrumental solos in 1 song , just amazing.
Literally it is the ultimate form of individual musical expression at its finest!
Just 3 guys all playing lead, what a sound!!!
Please note that the audio is recorded live, but the video is from the farewell concert, which are different performances. The audio is amazing.
Jack Bruce was one of the best bass players ever Scotland's genius RIP
Hi Jelani, thanks for knowledgeable reactions...as a 73 year old jazz drummer, l really appreciate all good music...these 3 guys take a jackhammer to "Crossroads"...is the stage on fire? Unbelievable performance..
I'm a 67 year old bassist/percussionist..... Jack Bruce was a major influence when I first started playing bass, along with Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin. Thanks for your great reaction! 👍
Rock on! I love each of those iconic musicians. I love the how Bruce and Eric complement each other even as each of them are jamming their brains out! LOVE IT!!!
I grew up in the 80s playing guitar and loving this song...one of the first I just had to learn on guitar. Learned the chords, which were easy enough, then just tried to make up my own solos. Back then I never had a good stereo system with bass that you could hear well. It was probably only 10+/- yrs ago I actually heard all the bass lines....and am still absolutely astounded😮. 😅😅 The really cool thing about UA-cam is, while you cant really isolate tracks, you can adjust the speed a little ..(or a lot!!) Just went back last nite and listened to this again on 0.75x...really helped me hear Bruce's lines better on my JBL bt spkr...to think they were doing it all live too..😅😅 WOW! This was like my fav song eve for the longest and still probably will be lifetime top 10. And I listen to all different genres and time periods.
They were my favorite of all time.
I've always considered it the greatest rock song ever. It's a Robert Johnson blues played live by British invaders at their most transcendent peak. It encapsulates just about everything possible that core rock is about. Was amazed that Joe Bonamassa said it was the greatest blues/rock song of all time. Excellent analysis you did...spot on!
Jack Bruce is off the fuckin charts incredible bass player Scotland is extremely proud
Their version of Robert Johnson's "Standing at the crossroads". Taken from "Wheels of Fire" live at the Fillmore.
Bruce is amazing on bass and vocals.
Oh yeah he is just KILLING on the bass here! I love how their individual expressive playing combines soo well to make a unified sound.
Clapton sang this one.
@@TheNoncritical1 : yep, but my thoughts were poster was informing those who don't know that Bruce was a great vocalist - in fact Cream's lead vocalist
"The Crossroads" is a symbol in The Blues of a place where folks experience confusion, challenges, and a time of crucial decision-making. It's where someone who's down on their luck are tempted by the Devil to sell their soul for a solution to their problem. The challenged person is confused about which way to go, which road to take out of the four (or more) roads that intersect at a scary time in their lives.
Great reaction to one of the best songs in recording history (my opinion of course}.
Exactly my reaction when I first heard this at 13 years old
Check out young girl band Dea Matrona's version of Crossroads. Amazing up and coming band!
Jack Bruce is my favorite bass player EVER ! Whenever I listen to Cream, it's Jack I listen to, that's it.
I think Jack Bruce may have turned in the best electric bass line ever in Crossroads. There's no way to know what he's going to do next, and it all works beautifully. Several bass players have written Crossroads bass tabs and posted UA-cam videos of their attempts at duplicating Jack's line. Some of them are very good but I don't think anyone has gotten it perfectly yet.
And Honestly I think anyone will. People can transcribe, play it, replicate it, but what Jack played came from deep inside and produced an energy that can never be replicated.
I went to see Derek and the Dominoes when Layla was in the charts, but what were the audience shouting for.... yes Crossroads! If you can dig out the recording of Eric's early band, Powerhouse, you can hear the genesis of this performance.
When I listen to cream find myself listening to jacks bass more than the guitar
In the '70s, if you were in a local band that played any kind of blues, the Cream version of "Crossroads" was a staple item on the playlist. And that's for the reason you gave, bro. It's a great jam song.
Oh yeah! My band used to play it and I remembered we always tried to hurry up and get through the vocals so we could just jam out on it for the next 10 minutes!
There's a 14 yr guitar prodigy that just wrote his (ode) to the Robert Johnson's Crossroads. He's Taj Farrant and he even plays every instrument on his recording and of course sings. The blues seems to be a part of him. He has many videos of him covering Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others for the last 6 years. His Crossroads premiered as #1 on the US and Australia Blues charts.
Rest in Peace Jack Bruce. You were/are THE best ever.
Clapton said they would take solos…simultaneously.
I think that Berry Oakley played a similar "outstanding yet blending" role on bass in the Allman Brothers Band that Jack Bruce did in the Cream.
Man what a great reaction you didn't cut the song to comment but as a musician your body felt every note of guitar bass guitar and drums of that song
Amazing and inspirational piece of music. Learning songs like this and other Cream songs turned me into a very proficient bass player.
Great reaction and knowledge by Jelani.
Glad you like it! I LOVE HEARING Jack Bruce on this track! Not only is he hanging tough with Eric, but he's also holding down that pocket with Ginger. Truly remarkable!
You could say they had almost had 2 lead guitars..
@@JelaniStokes excellent content & a pleasure to watch your journey as you experience musical masters..
Gary Moore (The Messiah will come again. Live version.
or Parisienne walkways (live version).
Dire Straits, sultans of swing alchemy live.
or Brothers in Arms.
Roger Waters, Amused to Death album.
I hope you get time to react to the above.
Much Peace & Love
from Northern Ireland ❤️
Hello Jelani- I loved hearing this throwback (way back lol) of Cream. How lucky we are to have the ability to see such performances and the progression of the band members as time passed. I would like to request a reaction of Dimash and the Super Vocal Boys, Queen medley, Singer 2019. I believe you would enjoy it. I have been watching some of your videos of you and past band members. Your talent and the others is just incredible. Thank you for sharing. I'll get to all of them eventually. -Vickie
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! You are much too kind and I truly appreciate your kind words! I just put your request on my upcoming video list so I hope to share my thoughts on it in a future video! Again thank you soo much Vickie for your kind words!
Great technical analysis of the bass playing.
Really aggressive bass in this cut. Forget the stay-in-the-pocket stuff. Bruce is all over the fret board, playing counter melodies and really competing for the spotlight with Eric and Ginger. Maybe the best blues break, especially break number 2, of all rock.
Great to see this guys reaction!
They were and are an influential and legendary group, even though they were only around for a few years. Eric Clapton is still rolling...
This song was written by Robert Johnson a blues player he recorded this song in the30’s
Thank you soo much for the insight!
Yes and the myth is that he made a deal with the devil at the crossroads. And is the first rock star in the 27 club.
man knows his music
Ginger and Jack playing together in the Graham Bond Organisation previously,paid off eventually.
Good reaction, JS, and, to me (an amateur pianist), the more musicians on YT reacting to music, so much the better. To me, articulation and informed analysis (somewhat hard to find amongst your peers) are key, and you appear to have those things DOWN (this is the first time I've heard of you). Musicians reacting to other musicians adds a whole new level to the 'reaction' playing field and I appreciate it. Keep up the good work! LL
Thank you soo much for your kind words! I truly appreciate it!
One of the biggest disappointments of my youth was the day (April 7, 1968) my friend and I had tickets to see Cream at the Eastman Theater in Rochester, New York. We were really psyched as we took our 2nd row seats, because we were about to see and hear 3 of the greatest musicians in the history of Rock music. I idolized them. Well, we're sitting there waiting anxiously, when an announcement is made over the PA system. Cream has canceled their performance at the last minute. No reason was given. It was also announced that the opening act, Vanilla Fudge, would play an extended set. But my friend and I were there to see Cream, so we walked out. Just recently, and more than a half century after the canceled show, I found out that the reason they had canceled was that their equipment failed to show up! Bummer!
WOW....Yeah I know that's something that would stay with you forever. I know that's what I tell my students that as a performer, you do everything you can to get on that stage because they've come to see you so it's time to give them a show.
@@JelaniStokes My friend questions whether that was the real reason they canceled. I know that they were known to take hallucinogens, especially Ginger Baker, and I had read that Baker had made them miss concerts, because he was so wasted. Regardless of the reason, it still was such a disappointment. I was lucky enough though to see the Jimi Hendrix Experience twice in the Winter/Spring of 1968; once in Rochester, New York and 2 days later in Buffalo, New York; 2 "experiences" I'll never forget .....
This appears to be the studio recording overdubbed over a different live video of the song. The solos and everything are note for note with the recorded version - which is an amazing performance. One of my favorite songs.
Yeah I picked up on that! Although I thought it was an awesome combination of live video with the studio recording.
Believe it or not, this is actually a live performance, which is a testament to the Cream. They never recorded a studio cut of this song, even the version on their 1968 double LP Wheels On Fire (which is where the version in this video originally appeared) is a live track.
Like your style young man. I invite you to discover Pink Floyd, Pulse Concert,, ComfortablyNumb & Shine On You Crazy Diamond.
Best wishes & love from Mississippi !
RIP Ginger & Jack
Thank you soo much for the kind words! I'll definitely check it out! Thanks again!!
@@JelaniStokes
JS ,
I’m a 65 year old white dude here in Mississippi & the keyboard hanging behind you reminded me of something my dad told me long ago ; it takes both the black & white keys to make beautiful music.
Thanks
If you want to know about the crossroads study a blues singer named Robert Johnston. One of the best blues singers of his time
Of all the reaction covers that have done Crossroads on UA-cam, is there ANYONE that has not been impressed and been really into this song??????? Well, not that I am aware of. It's just too damn good!!!
I absolutely agree 💯
I'll have to go back and listen to the words because I was so caught up in all the guitars.
As everyone else was! The singing was almost seemed like an obligation to get out of the way so they could truly express themselves on their instruments!
All the guitars??? There was only ONE. This was Clapton at his best. If anyone liked this, they are gonna LOVE the next song on the album, Spoonful. That's 16 minutes of the hottest, ripping, down and dirty, searing blues ever recorded. And showing why Clapton is one of, if not the best guitarist to ever come out of England, or anywhere else for that matter.
Nice job, man. Interesting commentary…
Yes you went for the live version 🤟👹❤
I want to suggest some fairly unknown artists of 80's 90's that had a few great songs Grayson Hugh "Talk it over" "Bring it all back" "Blind to reason' "Finally found a friend" Henry Lee Summer "Wish i had a girl" "I've got everything" Jude Cole "Time for letting go" "Houseful of reasons" "Baby it's tonight" Curtis Stigers "You're all that matters to me" "Sleeping with the lights on" "I wonder why' "Never saw a miracle" Joshua Kadison "Jessie" "Beautiful in your eyes" Oh and another one Marc Cohn "Walking in Memphis" "Silver Thunderbird" "Ghost Train" "True companion"
WOW! Thank you for the vast list of songs! I just added them to my upcoming music playlist. I can't wait to get a quiet moment when I can just enjoy this music without interruption!
@@JelaniStokesi'm glad you will hardly anyone has reacted to them and they have such soulful terrific voices surrounded by some amazing musicians you'll be thrilled i believe
@@timetravellingone Grayson Hugh still gigging in the NY area and Connecticut. I think he's been a music teacher for a couple of decades now. Great talent. Inexplicably he fell of the face of the earth, musically speaking. Should've had a nice career.
FANASTIC!
best played at volume 11
I created a special speaker rig to get it all the way to 11.5!! 😁😁🎸🎸🎸🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
@@JelaniStokes ah! yes I love the drip of bleeding ears in the morn 🔊🔊
A very knowledgeable review. I remember the day I bought the double album in West London in the 60s. Don’t forget the great Robert Johnson who wrote the words. Try listening to the original. Yes, Jack Bruce was rated the greatest bassist of that time.
Jack Bruce was the shit! AWESOME.
Jack Bruce,the best bass player of his era.
Farewell concert overdubbed with Wheels of Fire track.
The Cream of the crop!
Cream was like having 3 Michael Jordans on the same team ...just unfair :)
Cream were awesome, you should check out live zeppelin too!
Warfare at its best...
That's not a double kick drum. It's one drum and Baker's fast foot.
The video is from the farewell concert and is not the music you are hearing here.
Yes you are correct. I wanted to find a live versions with a dub of the recording as I wasnt satisfied with the quality of live recordings.
The original supergroup
It sounds sped up.
They get a lot out of a 3 piece band.
This version is not in the proper key.