The Shaggs, ‘Philosophy of the World’ (1969) not a great song album but look at the attention it gets for the mess it is being a no talented group because their daddy had a vision and it came true . .. Sex Pistols, ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistol ,one of the most offensive names in rock with a very sloppy playing band makes a huge hit with some great songs ...... Dereck and The Dominoes 1 and only maybe is the very best in the category ..
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” ― Hunter S. Thompson
My unsolicited opinion: Steve Winwood’s voice automatically elevates any song he has ever sung on. Looking forward to the Siamese Dream VM episode (nudge nudge)!
Off topic. I am amazed and impressed you can give an entire 20 minute presentation (a brilliant one at that) and never blinking once. Truly impressive.
I remember the EXACT day this record was released, with the original cover, here in Canada. We rushed to Woolco Dept. store's record department to buy this (our fav spot for 45's and LP's at the time in South Windsor, Ontario), it was probably $1.44 at that time, I don't recall... it did NOT last long on the record store shelves, the album artwork controversy was high .... I will say, this is one of the finest albums ever recorded... every tune on the record is perfect! Thanks for your vid Abigail, love it!! Subscribed and liked ;-) I'll be back!
oh to have run out and bought blind faith on the day it came out! the hype must’ve been incredibly high!! thanks for subscribing btw, welcome to the long strange trip
I found a ‘pristine’ U.K. pressing of Blind Faith yesterday, in my local record shop ‘Deadly Wax’ (Chatsworth CA). It has “The” original cover… (Yes, I felt a bit uncomfortable walking out of the store with that cover. I hid it behind the copy of Captain Beyond: Sufficiently Breathless! 😂). Amazing record! Sea Of Joy, Had To Cry Today, Presence… love it so!
AT the time it came out, the cover did not seem pornographic, erotic or offensive. It may seem so now, just because of what has surfaced in the intervening years. We are now not so innocent or naive. Musicwise, the album for me was all about "Presence of the Lord"- Clapton's guitar, Winwood's vocal , the lyrics, the tune combine together to produce a gem of a song.
@@rogersmith7396 Bow Wow Wow's first album cover featured the lead singer fully nude. She was 14. That one DID cause a big stink at the time--and rightly so.
I've never seen this channel before, but it popped up on my recommended list. And I'm So Glad it did. Deserted Cities of the Heart? Absolutely the best Cream song, and your mention of it confirms that you're a person worth listening to. Subscribed! Next up, Paul and Linda McCartney and Ram. Rock on, baby doll.
The Blind Faith album is one of the best recordings of the era. The hype was so big prior to its release that it was bound to disappoint and it took a while for listeners, at the time, to realize how great is was.
The solo on Presence of the Lord is incandescent! Clapton is like a classical violinist on that track moving you with his tone and effortless execution not to mention his choice of notes.
Clapton had this inimitable way of sounding like he was boxing himself into a canyon. Then he'd just play his way out.....I think his Blues roots gave him that skill/flexibility.
@@hurdygurdyguy1 Back in the day, that would depend on his level of toxication. The record deals back then was your money, not the touring. Touring gave you the exposure you needed and satisfied your fans.
Wow! Best review of Blind Faith I've ever heard! Thank you Abigail. I bought it at the time, but missed the free live concert in Hyde Park as I had a summer job. I did make it to the Stones in the Park in 1969 which featured Family (and King Crimson) having seen Family live at the Marquee, standing about 5 feet away from Rik Grech, who were just amazing live. The Ukrainian Grech (who wrote Second Generation Woman about Ukrainian women friends in Leicester - my smoking friend Lessya said it was about her) was, like Jack Bruce, a trained music graduate who played piano, bass and violin and could write arrangements. All these great bands have music directors; not usually the stars; Bruce was the music director in Cream, Chris Wood in Traffic. Blind Faith needed a music director, because Eric and Stevie were not going to do that. so Ginger drafted in the classically trained Grech. As you pointed out Grech was musically gifted, but lacking the ego and arrogance of his fellow musicians. If you want a psyche pop masterpiece check out the first Family album Music in A Dolls House (which title forced the Beatles to retitle the White Album to The Beatles). Not forgetting Pretty Things S.F.Sorrow and the non album psyche single Defecting Grey. I love Vinyl Monday! ;)
Working with producer Jimmy Miller , Andy Johns started recording and I completed this album, recording and mixing at Olympic Studio One … music history and my first American number one success of three altogether.
@caribman10 I was there for their '69 tour, and believe me, the album was well received. Olympia Stadium in Detroit was packed for their concert, and even though the acoustics were terrible, the band was met with cheering after every song. Blind Faith sold half a million copies in the first month and topped the UK and Billboard US charts. Initially the cover that was released was the version with the band's picture. But several years later the disturbing cover with the young girl became available as an imoort. Many people bought the album again, including myself, just to add it to the collection.
Wow! - as always a very informative, and entertaining, review. What really hooked me was your connection to jazz. Well down Abby. You truly are a ‘newmer’!
I had no idea how connected all of these albums and musicians were! You’re single handedly broadening my musical education. I just wish tomorrow was already Vinyl Monday again. Wouldn’t it be nice if I was a week older? Then I wouldn’t have to wait so long!
yes it really is all connected! the eric clapton extended cinematic universe goes WAY deeper than you think. and once you start making the connections it's so much fun! good eye btw 👀
It was a close knit society of musicians during those years. Check out Bobby Keys, saxophone ace. He played with the who's who of rock stardom. Joe Cocker,s Mad Dogs and Englishman, Eric Clapton,s first solo album, George Harrison,s All Things Must Pass (know you mentioned that), Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, that was all the same group of musicians. Band of Gypsy,s like Jimi said. A matter of fact, buy that album like yesterday. You want be disappointed.
there's the clapton extended universe, also impressive is the CSNY family tree of related bands/artists and the rolling stones/small faces/faces/rod stewart/jeff beck/humble pie one. there's actually some books focusing on rock band family trees, last time i checked they weren't easily attainable cheaply though
There was an agreement between Bruce, Clapton and Baker that no two of them would be in another band together. So, when Baker shows up, Eric felt that he was breaking his promise.
You did an AMAZING job covering this album - props, Abigail. Excellent work. My favorite one album wonder might be Derek & The Dominoes, or Jeff Buckley. Honorable mentions to Fotheringay and Jackson Franke.
Holy cow ! Just another amazing deep dive here. This album is by far and away my favorite work by Clapton ever. Winwood's voice and the violins on "Sea of Joy" always gives me chills. The cover of "Well Alright" is so amazing, it takes alot for me to like a cover better than the original when it comes to Buddy Holly. Thank you so much for putting these together, Vinyl Monday is the best thing on UA-cam !
i didn't know "well all right" was a cover until researching this video, it just fits so well! the same thing happened with "have you ever loved a woman" and "it's too late" on layla
I've been listening to this album for over 50 years, and yet again I learned things that I didn't know - like Devil Road. Will definitely have to check that out. I also appreciate you comparing it to a jazz album, I've never heard that take before, but it makes total sense. Thanks for another great video.
Well done, I truly enjoyed your observations about the album, the group and the members' histories. I just discovered your channel. I purchased the BF album new when it was released, and it's been in and out of my collection through the years. Recently, I went back to it again, and rediscovered how strong it can be. I would concur, "Do What You Like" is of particular interest and my favorite on the disc. If you remember, Cream was Ginger Baker's band, and I'm guessing he may have thought Blind Faith was his opportunity to have the band he envisioned when he originally asked Clapton to join him for Cream. Regardless, their playing is so inspiring all throughout the album. Regarding your comments about the work(s) being jazz, it reminded me of the Ginger Baker interview from the 2005 concert when Baker dismissed Cream as a rock group and stated it was a jazz group. I would agree with that - Miles Davis at one point covered songs from the American Songbook and played bebop in the middle of them.... Cream covered songs from the American Blues catalog and played freeform rock/jazz in the middle of them. It's my opinion Baker was right. Again, well done, looking forward to more of your presentations. And yes, Deserted Cities of the Heart is stellar.
I’m impressed with your knowledge and presentation. I heard this as a 15yo when it was released in ‘69. Have 2 copies on vinyl, just so I could have both covers. G’day from Tasmania!
MIND BLOWN. I love jazz, and have always loved the Blind Faith album. Never thought of it as a "jazz album" but damn, this makes sense. Top notch insight!
Interestingly, Eric Clapton was my 1st concert. There was a Blind Faith picture in the tour program. Ginger looked even more out of it than Eric! I wonder how the 2 felt being back in the fold after (as you said, quite appropriately) Cream imploded. The album to me seemed like a grab bag of styles. Eric admitted in an interview he wasn’t too comfortable playing a jazz style but then again, he had a jazz drummer and Steve Winwood exploring jazz. Everybody had their song on it. Clapton took the honors with Presence Of The Lord. Had To Cry Today and Can’t Find My Way Home were Winwood’s. Do What You Like was Baker’s. Though Sea Of Joy was written by Steve, Rick Grech shines brightly. He did get a few songs on the re-issue. One more song- their take on Buddy Holly’s Well All Right. They use their own arrangement. Santana would follow suit. Oh yeah, the cover. Since my parents were very proper, I can only imagine the uproar “Hey Mom, look what I got at the record store!” LOL Houses Of The Holy is another. One guy jokingly said “Then your mother probably wouldn’t approve of my choice for best cover art- Roxy Music’s Country Life!” LOL Wherever the internet guy is, I must say, he’s probably right! “Oh, we’d like some of your money, I mean music. Why don’t you make an album?” That comment made me laugh. How little things have changed!
Abigail !! I just discovered your channel. I love it. You ARE THE ROCK'N'ROLL ORACLE RISEN OUT OF THE MISTS OF THE SEA OF JOY !! Thank you for this "Blind Faith " review. This is one of the very best albums in recording history. Your thoughtful analysis and sense of group history shows your mastery of knowledgeable review. How about a review of Cat Steven's " Catch Bull At Four " ? That album is one of my faves , and almost forgotten in the sands of time. Thank you again for all that you do. , Dean ( in Syracuse)
this has to be a top 10 comment i've ever gotten, i'll remember this a long time. thank you so much i could cover some cat stevens in the future! maybe a double-feature episode of tea for the tillerman and mona bone jakon
I found you from a UA-cam push... I am delighted. Having grown up with rock and roll, and remembering so much of the history of the music I am thornily impressed with the research you have done. Also, your referencing disparate influences from tracks, personnel, and albums is very welcome. I am now subscribed and notified.
i'm so glad i can do right by this music by someone who experienced it first-hand. you're so lucky to have gotten to do that! thanks so much for subscribing
Another great review, Abby! Love how you weaved together George, D&B, Cream and Derek and the Dominos. All of those have been in my favorites stash for decades. I used to travel to China for work and I would listen to Blind Faith for 5 or 6 hours straight. When it was over it was like waking from a coma. I love this album!
with something like the clapton extended universe (as i’ve taken to calling it) it’s fairly easy to weave all those histories together blind faith for 6 hours?? i’d be delirious by the end!
Abigail: I wish you were my grand daughter. What a pleasure to listen to a lovely young lady like you tell this tale. Everybody else: While he is my favorite drummer, Ginger Baker could be a real a-hole. If you don't know much about him, see the documentary "Beware of Mr. Baker." Ginger punched out and literally broke the film maker's nose during the making of the film. Bless him. That film will also help you appreciate Ginger Baker's knowledge of jazz, Cuban, and African rhythm.
I'm a old guy born in 1950. Out of the service when I was doing folk guitar stuff, I moved to Boulder in 1971 and married the most wonderful girl in the world. We had 42 glorious years together until cancer took her from me. I digress. We lived at the top of Boulder Heights in a large ranch house. We occupied one of the 7 bedrooms. One of the occupiers was also a guitar player. Eventually we had some small success with one of our bands. (The Defex, out of Denver in the late 70's. There was a home made stereo amp in the large living room, a very good and powerful one. One of its features allowed one to play two things at the same time. One day someone played "I Can't Find My Way Home". For speakers we had a rather large array of 12" cabs. (Band gear) The guy played the song very loud (We had acres of land so didn't bother anyone) He cued the same song at the same time but tweaked one of the songs ever so slightly. It created the most intense phase imaginable. The two turntables used were manual so as the one turntable slowly caught up to the other this extremely intense phase would happen. It only worked for "Can't Find My Way Home" as the material and speed worked well. But for that particular song it sounded glorious. You probably will never get to experience this as the amp needs to be able to run 2 sources at the same time. Not very common. My rather long winded story about Blind Faith. I enjoy your work. Stay at it young lady!
Abby, great thumbnail! I am a sucker for creative thumbnails and of course Blind Faith/Traffic/Cream/Derrick. this one was just down my street, thanks. I really enjoy your research, growing up in these times we would hear rumors/stories about these albums and artists but there was a lot of fiction also. It is nice to know the less fictionalized version of this crazy time of music. Thanks
Well done my Dear. This album has been my #1 forever. I was already a fan of Eric and I became a fan of Steve after this one. And I learned to play every song on it on guitar. The singing was not so easy but I tried.
Since you brought up Steve Winwood, you might as well do a whole video on the band Traffic. Really cool but quite eccentric early psychedelic rock stuff.
Great review Abby!! Never thought about the jazz connection but you're def onto something there. And I'm replacing the cover art on my digital collection of this album with your thumbnail from this vid! You make a much better album cover!
Love your reviews Abby on all these legendary albums from the greatest era ever, of rock and roll. And yes, the Blind Faith album worked out very well with the uniquely talented combo of Eric and Steve. I especially like the epic “ Do what you Like “. But despite the edginess between Clapton and Baker, I’m glad Ginger was still a part of this project. He’s one of the best drummers ever and helped immensely in making this a gem of an album.
winwood lobbied to clapton really hard for ginger's inclusion (pretty much talking him off the ledge)...and almost immediately regret it. i'm glad ginger was here too, that jazz influence undoubtedly came from him
"Do What You Like" - is it only me, or might Winwood's keyboard solo in this song be inspired by Rick of Pink Floyd? (I mean especially Eugene with axe, but not only...)
@Jarosław Nowosad Wow, that's a really interesting analysis. I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan and yet I'd never thought about making that comparison. And I love " Careful with the Axe, Eugene. " I'll have to listen to those two again. Thanks for the insight. 👍
I have great affection for this album; in school a mate called Buzzer would bring "underground" albums in and this was one. I couldn't even afford albums. Buzzer was a great character, he got girls; he and a girlfriend were entertaining one another on the kitchen floor and her Mum turned up, looking at them through the kitchen window. He and a mate went to see Led Sep at Sheffield City Hall (imagine!). Driving home they were stopped by the police who asked there names and where had they been.Buzzer said, "Jimmy Page," and his mate said,"John Bonham." After leaving school Buzzer got into stuff and is no longer with us. I often think it would be great to go for a pint with him. Whenever I play this album, especialy Can't Find My Way Home I think of Buzzer who just couldn't. Robin Witting England
Thanks for this review Abigail. Really nice. Great album but the way. The Hyde Park show was memorable for me as I blew out my eardrums listening to 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson who supported them (I sat next to their amps as there was room there. Didn't wonder why until... well that happened). Didn't really hear BF play as a result. Big fan of Family incidentally. One of Traffic's greatest albums is the live Welcome to the Canteen where Rich plays bass on tour with the boys. Now that is a great live album. Thanks again. Really enjoyed your review.
i’ve heard a few stories from people at that concert, they all seem to mirror your experience of KC totally stealing the show. i have a copy of welcome to the canteen! i’ll have to revisit it
I remember it being in a shop or two in Australia as a young kid just starting to buy albums and I think eventually THAT cover was phased out.I don't think I was offended by it really and would just carry on looking.Didn't see it as a disgusting,shocking off putting thing at all.Still wonder what the big deal is even today !! I have a NORMAL copy of the album. LOL !
As long as children weren't being obviously sexualized, it was legal. Witness Zeppelin's "House of the Holy" and yes, the Nirvana album. It was a matter of taste....like whoring your kids into TV/Radio commercials to sell product.
It wasn’t Come Together, it was Ballad of John and Yoko because they said Christ in the lyric’s. I’m old enough to have heard Come Together on the radio when it came out
I just found you. Been watching a few of your episodes. Very impressive with your knowledge. I seen on a episode that you said you were 23. I'm 57 and i don't know a 1/3 of what you are telling us. Hats off to you. Keep up the good work.
Nice. Had to laugh out loud when I saw the thumbnail for this video pop up on YT this morning. Brilliant. Yes, the story I read was that Ginger heard around London that Clapton and Winwood were playing together, so he just started showing up and basically wouldn’t go away. That being said, his playing on the album is great. He really added to the music. Observations - 1) For some reason, it took me years to realize that it was Clapton and Winwood both playing at the end of “Had To Cry Today”. I thought it was a Clapton overdub. 2) “Can’t Find My Way Home” is a great song. 3) Love the 5/4 groove on “Do What…”, but always thought the bass solo went on a little too long. I mean he's fine, but he's no Jimmy Garrison...
Ginger Baker is an amazing drummer. And there is a lesser known album he was invited to drum on much later, "Sunrise on the Sufferbus" by Masters of Reality, 1992.... Great stuff.
Ginger Baker reciting Pressed Rat & Warthog is cool (first rap?)...I have a CD by Hawkwind called Levitation recorded 1980 with Ginger Baker on drums...great band!
I have loved this album ever since I first heard it in 1969. The jams are, granted, of a time, but they are really great, some of the best rock ever produced. And almost since I picked up a guitar in 1972, I have been performing Can’t Find My Way Home and will, probably, play it in public on Sunday at an invitational jam.
Family was completely unknown in the US. In the summer of 1970, we hosted a visit by the son of one my Father’s Danish friends. He was a year older than me and his number one mission while in the US was to buy records which cost half of what they did in Denmark. He had a list of records. On it were two albums by Family, Fearless and Bandstand. I had never heard of Family before. I bought my own copies and have listened to them ever since. Great band.
You are so right about this album. Even with its faults it remains an all-time favorite rock album of its time. Winwood epitomized the best of the era in rock music, whatever he put his hand to. On the other hand, Baker's style with Cream was never my cup of tea, and yet he's not so bad on this album. Clapton begins taking steps away from being god with Blind Faith. Although, I'm pretty sure I hear some Hendrix in his "Presence" solo, one of his best ever. I love the acoustic instrumentation of the album too, a very distinctive sound. Great job, Abigail.
I was there that warm afternoon in Hyde Park the summer of '69 and I thought Blind Faith sounded ragged, an impression confirmed by the film footage I've subsequently seen. I eventually bought their album and although I was underwhelmed by it at the time I've come to appreciate it.
That was such a gigantic music time back then as me and my friends graduated from grade school into the post psych 70's world...the lack of internet only made it more mysterious. Great breakdowns of an era, Thanks for all the back story research!
i was in the army in new jersey, summer of 69....a fellow "warrior" and i got a copy of this with the girl on the front....went to his girl friends house, stayed in her bedroom for two nights and one day listening to it over and over.....we did not think the girl on the cover was porno at all........glad i lived through the good times and the bad times...
That's because it's not porn. Anyone saying so is nuts. The media likes to say it, but they have a business reason for it. They like to charge a lot extra when they sell us what they call porn.
I was in 7th grade when this album was released. Already knew about Clapton and his new group. After inspecting the cover at the local head shop/record store one Friday night, I knew there was no way I was able bring it home, lol. Long time ago now.
Great video as always, love your look today! Not sure if you've talked about them before, but what do you think about the Stooges? Can we expect a video on one of their albums, eventually? 🙂
i’m not sure what they were thinking either! digging into exactly what siedemann’s artistic vision was it seems like a truly dumbfounding case of good in theory, bad execution
I bought the album when it first came out. They were teasing us with songs on FM Radio so I got it on day 1 with the original art. Winwood and Clapton were a great team. Also, Rick Grech came from Family. Another one of my favorite bands.
whoosh. a quick call on my journey back to new year's eve 2023 (it's complicated). this was my first vinyl monday. because, well one reason and that is that no one seems to talk about that art. you were dressed like that for a reason I thought. a good reason and I admired your assertiveness abby. the original blind faith cover art, even the thinking in its development and realization, is all a disgrace. it's sickening and no one comes out of it well. the music i think has magic: a strange mix maybe but it creates a compulsive need to revisit this album again and again. baker's arrogance just to march in like that and present himself is just unbelievable. the discussion you present here abby about the music is enlightening and I realized immediately that you were an attentive listener. an explosive start to my vinyl monday journey, i was in big time from this moment on. now for the vinyl monday's of the future. roll transition i mean start the engines. whoosh.
Great video of remember when I got my copy of the album it's the rso pressing from the 80s and it has the original cover I put it on my turntable and I loved it my favorite tracks are can't find my way home and presence of the Lord I remember I read something about the band when they were on tour that they didn't have enough material and the label told Clapton to play cream songs and he got pissed great video I can't wait for next week's episode
When Ginger crashed the initial rehearsals, it was Steve Winwood that welcomed him with enthusiasm (he was a big fan). Clapton was not happy but resigned to the events because he really wanted to work with Steve.
Great Vid. Great to see a younger individual appreciating not only the music, but also the history and connections of artist and bands. BTW.....(a little name dropping brag here.) I saw "The 5" with "Zeppelin" way back in the 60's. (The Grande Ballroom) Thanks for your fun take on Blind Faiths singular footprint on rock and roll history. Love it. New Sub.😎T
you were at that show?? must've been incredible! i've seen photos of zeppelin on stage that night but not the 5. you win coolest subscriber, thanks for joining this long strange trip
@@abigaildevoe It might have been Paul Butterfield after all it was the 60's. I always went to see the 5. Wayne Kramer played at my Guitar players wedding years ago they where good friends. Great Channel Abby. 😎 T
Great review - I love the attention to detail. I just saw that Hyde Park concert on UA-cam a couple years ago. What an amazing performance. At least we got that out of the mess.
Abby I really like your favorite picks off this album. I am 69 and bought my copy back in 69 and still have it. It is a true masterpiece. I'm glad you like it.
I think every now and then for Vinyl Monday, you should do a deep dive into what you think are the worst albums by bands you like. For instance, CCR’s Mardi Gras. It would be glorious seeing the snark flow!
@@abigaildevoe - The fact that that you despise Pink Floyd’s Animals (a personal fave. The 2018 remaster is amazing. It brings so much more clarity to the music… which you don’t like), does give me pause as to what you might rake over the coals, but hey, I’ll just put on my asbestos shorts and enjoy the ride. :-)
The whole album is genius, every track is gold! My favorite track (next to Had to Cry Today, Can't Find My Way Home, Presence of the Lord, Well Allright and Sea of Joy) is Do What You Like!! All the way down to the fading nonsense of music voices and sounds of the outro... when I got a cd of the album, ripped all the tracks I was able to keep the audio level of the fading outro to a non fade level... fun to listen to it all all the way to the "ta-daaa!" end!
Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories for m the days of my youth. I remember opening up that album, tearing open the plastic... grooving to the songs with all my friends... Thank you. Subscribed. BTW... I graduated high school in 1969. What a great time that was...
I grew up in Birmingham, in the same neighborhood as Steve Winwood and for a while at art school I had a part time job in a record shop. One wall was dedicated to local acts; The Move, ELO, Moody Blues, Black Sabbath, Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and at the centre of the display, practically at eye level was the original Blind Faith album sleeve. It had the quality of a portrait that's eyes follow you round the room and to be honest, at least at first, the image made me feel awkward; something taboo and certainly not something to get caught staring at for too long. But after drawing and painting naked life models every week for nearly two years these early proclivities became moot and I came to regard the album and it's artwork as a product of a time when societal morality and ideas around youth and sexuality were at least in the UK far, far more relaxed.
The observation that Blind Faith is pushing into jazz album territory makes perfect sense as far as Winwood's musical evolution goes since the following year he releases the first of his jazz/rock fusion trilogy with Traffic in the shape of John Barleycorn Must Die.
Ginger wrote "Do What You Like" which is very reminiscent of his contribution to the Goodbye Cream LP: "What a Bringdown". Surprised Miss Abby did not mention this since she held up that album during the podcast.
I remember comming home early from work one day in autumn 1968, and switching on the radio, I heard the reporter say, that there were rumours in England, that Stevie Winwood and Eric Clapton were about to form what the reporter called a super-group. And then he said, that because of those rumours, a possible record was already pre-ordered in about 300.000 copies. And when the record came out in summer 1969, the band and record were both called Blind Faith. Quite a title!!! I was in my local record-store when it came out here (live in Denmark). And the copy I got was not with the photo of the young girl with the airplane-toy. It was in black and white with 2 different photoes of the group - 1 in front and the other on the back. And the lyrics was printed underneath the photoes - 4 in front and 2 on the back - nothing on the inner-sleeve. 2-3 months after I got my copy. the record started to come out here with the girl-photo, and as an album with the photoes on the inside - and the lyrics as well. I still to this day consider this release as one of - if not THE best rock and roll record of all time.
According to Clapton’s autobiography (I’m more than a little obsessed, heck my cat is named Clapton), when Clapton saw the cover he didn’t think of it in a sexualized way. He thought of it as the beauty of innocence and purity, similar to nude Renaissance paintings. And honestly, I believe him. It tracks. This was a guy who before music took off was in art school. He’s always loved visual art (I mean, look at his Cream guitar The Fool). Even today he loves graffiti and street culture of all things. It doesn’t make it right at all and the PR team at the record company should have all been fired (even by 1969 standards) but it helps to at least know the intent. Awesome video as always!
Some of the info given here is very much common knowledge. With her phrasing and timing, Abigail gives us a whole new and fresh perspective on this album. An album with a cover that is equal parts obscene, pervy, and artistic all at the same time. As it was written by Dickens "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." That is the only way I can describe the Blind Faith band, album, and album cover.
who’s the best one-album wonder band? comment your pick below!
The La's and The Sex Pistols and...........The GTO's
@@alv4794 excellent choices!
The Shaggs, ‘Philosophy of the World’ (1969) not a great song album but look at the attention it gets for the mess it is being a no talented group because their daddy had a vision and it came true . .. Sex Pistols, ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistol ,one of the most offensive names in rock with a very sloppy playing band makes a huge hit with some great songs ...... Dereck and The Dominoes 1 and only maybe is the very best in the category ..
"Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone" by The Unicorns... I don't know if they count as a wonder band though :D
Myrth (1969)
It's definitely the band's best album.
i wish i had a comments section hall of fame so i could put this there
@@abigaildevoe hi hi hi
you are absolutely right on.
agree
It didn’t get any better than this album for them
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” ― Hunter S. Thompson
%100
classic
I subscribed to RollingStone for 20 years just to read Hunter's works. ROTFLMFAO.
My unsolicited opinion: Steve Winwood’s voice automatically elevates any song he has ever sung on. Looking forward to the Siamese Dream VM episode (nudge nudge)!
siamese dream will happen in time haha, just have to add it to my collection first
Yes, please. Luv me some Pumpkins, aye.
Steve Winwood's work with Marianne Faithfull on her album Broken English is an overlooked gem.
One of the rock n roll hall of whatevers biggest omissions. Winwood not in solo. Absolutely insane.
@@grooverealizations broken english as a whole is an overlooked gem!
"Sea of Joy" is one of my all time favourite songs and vocals.
Fantastic album!
It’s amazing how much you look like the girl on the cover.
Genius re-do of that racy Blind Faith jacket!
Had To Cry Today - I could listen to that song on loop forever. Incidentally, you are totally stunning.
Off topic. I am amazed and impressed you can give an entire 20 minute presentation (a brilliant one at that) and never blinking once. Truly impressive.
Another terrific Vinyl Monday! Abby you are wise beyond your years! And yes I did run down and play the album this morning...
I remember the EXACT day this record was released, with the original cover, here in Canada. We rushed to Woolco Dept. store's record department to buy this (our fav spot for 45's and LP's at the time in South Windsor, Ontario), it was probably $1.44 at that time, I don't recall... it did NOT last long on the record store shelves, the album artwork controversy was high .... I will say, this is one of the finest albums ever recorded... every tune on the record is perfect! Thanks for your vid Abigail, love it!! Subscribed and liked ;-) I'll be back!
oh to have run out and bought blind faith on the day it came out! the hype must’ve been incredibly high!! thanks for subscribing btw, welcome to the long strange trip
I found a ‘pristine’ U.K. pressing of Blind Faith yesterday, in my local record shop ‘Deadly Wax’ (Chatsworth CA).
It has “The” original cover… (Yes, I felt a bit uncomfortable walking out of the store with that cover. I hid it behind the copy of Captain Beyond: Sufficiently Breathless! 😂).
Amazing record! Sea Of Joy, Had To Cry Today, Presence… love it so!
AT the time it came out, the cover did not seem pornographic, erotic or offensive. It may seem so now, just because of what has surfaced in the intervening years. We are now not so innocent or naive. Musicwise, the album for me was all about "Presence of the Lord"- Clapton's guitar, Winwood's vocal , the lyrics, the tune combine together to produce a gem of a song.
See Roxy Music "Country Life", Golden Erring "Moontan".
@@rogersmith7396 Bow Wow Wow's first album cover featured the lead singer fully nude. She was 14. That one DID cause a big stink at the time--and rightly so.
The Scorpions’ “Virgin Killer” cover was far more offensive. They even regret it now.
@@andrewmize823 That was an homage to a Manet painting. Her mother went to the police, but they couldn’t do anything because it wasn’t full nudity.
The problem with a controversial cover is it makes the cover the focus of conversation about the album, and not the music.
I saw the thumbnail and said "Hell yes!". Well done!
I've never seen this channel before, but it popped up on my recommended list. And I'm So Glad it did.
Deserted Cities of the Heart? Absolutely the best Cream song, and your mention of it confirms that you're a person worth listening to. Subscribed!
Next up, Paul and Linda McCartney and Ram.
Rock on, baby doll.
A talented but temperamental group of musicians. 'Can't Find My Way Home ' is a truly beautiful and haunting song.
The Blind Faith album is one of the best recordings of the era. The hype was so big prior to its release that it was bound to disappoint and it took a while for listeners, at the time, to realize how great is was.
The solo on Presence of the Lord is incandescent! Clapton is like a classical violinist on that track moving you with his tone and effortless execution not to mention his choice of notes.
And irreproduceable on any of his live performances imho.. that studio recording is a crystalline gem!!
Clapton had this inimitable way of sounding like he was boxing himself into a canyon. Then he'd just play his way out.....I think his Blues roots gave him that skill/flexibility.
@@hurdygurdyguy1 Back in the day, that would depend on his level of toxication. The record deals back then was your money, not the touring. Touring gave you the exposure you needed and satisfied your fans.
Wow! Best review of Blind Faith I've ever heard! Thank you Abigail. I bought it at the time, but missed the free live concert in Hyde Park as I had a summer job. I did make it to the Stones in the Park in 1969 which featured Family (and King Crimson) having seen Family live at the Marquee, standing about 5 feet away from Rik Grech, who were just amazing live. The Ukrainian Grech (who wrote Second Generation Woman about Ukrainian women friends in Leicester - my smoking friend Lessya said it was about her) was, like Jack Bruce, a trained music graduate who played piano, bass and violin and could write arrangements. All these great bands have music directors; not usually the stars; Bruce was the music director in Cream, Chris Wood in Traffic. Blind Faith needed a music director, because Eric and Stevie were not going to do that. so Ginger drafted in the classically trained Grech. As you pointed out Grech was musically gifted, but lacking the ego and arrogance of his fellow musicians. If you want a psyche pop masterpiece check out the first Family album Music in A Dolls House (which title forced the Beatles to retitle the White Album to The Beatles). Not forgetting Pretty Things S.F.Sorrow and the non album psyche single Defecting Grey. I love Vinyl Monday! ;)
Hi Fred - you confirmed what I had suspected from the title Second Generation Woman, not only that - you know the actual second generation woman!
Working with producer Jimmy Miller , Andy Johns started recording and I completed this album, recording and mixing at Olympic Studio One … music history and my first American number one success of three altogether.
The entire album is a work of art.
It tanked.
@@caribman10 Yet we’re talking about it 50+ years later.
@caribman10 I was there for their '69 tour, and believe me, the album was well received. Olympia Stadium in Detroit was packed for their concert, and even though the acoustics were terrible, the band was met with cheering after every song. Blind Faith sold half a million copies in the first month and topped the UK and Billboard US charts. Initially the cover that was released was the version with the band's picture. But several years later the disturbing cover with the young girl became available as an imoort. Many people bought the album again, including myself, just to add it to the collection.
Wow! - as always a very informative, and entertaining, review. What really hooked me was your connection to jazz. Well down Abby. You truly are a ‘newmer’!
Your commentary is trenchant. I listened to the entire video with interest.
not gonna lie i had to google what that word means but thank you!
I had no idea how connected all of these albums and musicians were! You’re single handedly broadening my musical education. I just wish tomorrow was already Vinyl Monday again. Wouldn’t it be nice if I was a week older? Then I wouldn’t have to wait so long!
yes it really is all connected! the eric clapton extended cinematic universe goes WAY deeper than you think. and once you start making the connections it's so much fun!
good eye btw 👀
It was a close knit society of musicians during those years. Check out Bobby Keys, saxophone ace. He played with the who's who of rock stardom. Joe Cocker,s Mad Dogs and Englishman, Eric Clapton,s first solo album, George Harrison,s All Things Must Pass (know you mentioned that), Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, that was all the same group of musicians. Band of Gypsy,s like Jimi said. A matter of fact, buy that album like yesterday. You want be disappointed.
there's the clapton extended universe, also impressive is the CSNY family tree of related bands/artists and the rolling stones/small faces/faces/rod stewart/jeff beck/humble pie one. there's actually some books focusing on rock band family trees, last time i checked they weren't easily attainable cheaply though
So cool!! Thanks for my cameo at the start, Abbie! 🤩
it was too perfect!
Great insight into one of my favorite albums, you are amazing ! Thanks Abigail.
one if the greatest albums, & greatest short lived bands of all time...❤
There was an agreement between Bruce, Clapton and Baker that no two of them would be in another band together. So, when Baker shows up, Eric felt that he was breaking his promise.
Yeah, and they were too scared of him to tell him no.
"Do what you like" written by Ginger so the album would've been incomplete if he's not in it. Ginger Baker was absolutely necessary.
You did an AMAZING job covering this album - props, Abigail. Excellent work. My favorite one album wonder might be Derek & The Dominoes, or Jeff Buckley. Honorable mentions to Fotheringay and Jackson Franke.
Good for you for having BOTH versions of the album covers!! I too, have them both!
Holy cow ! Just another amazing deep dive here. This album is by far and away my favorite work by Clapton ever. Winwood's voice and the violins on "Sea of Joy" always gives me chills. The cover of "Well Alright" is so amazing, it takes alot for me to like a cover better than the original when it comes to Buddy Holly. Thank you so much for putting these together, Vinyl Monday is the best thing on UA-cam !
i didn't know "well all right" was a cover until researching this video, it just fits so well! the same thing happened with "have you ever loved a woman" and "it's too late" on layla
Great video! I was sent over by one of my subscribers! So glad to find your channel! Thanx Abigail!❤❤❤
thank you so much, and thank that random subscriber too!
@@abigaildevoe already thanked! He spoke highly of you!
I've been listening to this album for over 50 years, and yet again I learned things that I didn't know - like Devil Road. Will definitely have to check that out. I also appreciate you comparing it to a jazz album, I've never heard that take before, but it makes total sense. Thanks for another great video.
Well done, I truly enjoyed your observations about the album, the group and the members' histories. I just discovered your channel.
I purchased the BF album new when it was released, and it's been in and out of my collection through the years. Recently, I went back to it again, and rediscovered how strong it can be. I would concur, "Do What You Like" is of particular interest and my favorite on the disc. If you remember, Cream was Ginger Baker's band, and I'm guessing he may have thought Blind Faith was his opportunity to have the band he envisioned when he originally asked Clapton to join him for Cream. Regardless, their playing is so inspiring all throughout the album.
Regarding your comments about the work(s) being jazz, it reminded me of the Ginger Baker interview from the 2005 concert when Baker dismissed Cream as a rock group and stated it was a jazz group. I would agree with that - Miles Davis at one point covered songs from the American Songbook and played bebop in the middle of them.... Cream covered songs from the American Blues catalog and played freeform rock/jazz in the middle of them. It's my opinion Baker was right.
Again, well done, looking forward to more of your presentations. And yes, Deserted Cities of the Heart is stellar.
First time to your channel, seems to me, you are a super hero.
Thank you!
Can’t wait to dive into another album.
Man, you are really passionate about the era. Good storytelling
I’m impressed with your knowledge and presentation. I heard this as a 15yo when it was released in ‘69. Have 2 copies on vinyl, just so I could have both covers. G’day from Tasmania!
MIND BLOWN. I love jazz, and have always loved the Blind Faith album. Never thought of it as a "jazz album" but damn, this makes sense. Top notch insight!
Interestingly, Eric Clapton was my 1st concert. There was a Blind Faith picture in the tour program. Ginger looked even more out of it than Eric! I wonder how the 2 felt being back in the fold after (as you said, quite appropriately) Cream imploded.
The album to me seemed like a grab bag of styles. Eric admitted in an interview he wasn’t too comfortable playing a jazz style but then again, he had a jazz drummer and Steve Winwood exploring jazz. Everybody had their song on it. Clapton took the honors with Presence Of The Lord. Had To Cry Today and Can’t Find My Way Home were Winwood’s. Do What You Like was Baker’s. Though Sea Of Joy was written by Steve, Rick Grech shines brightly. He did get a few songs on the re-issue. One more song- their take on Buddy Holly’s Well All Right. They use their own arrangement. Santana would follow suit.
Oh yeah, the cover. Since my parents were very proper, I can only imagine the uproar “Hey Mom, look what I got at the record store!” LOL Houses Of The Holy is another. One guy jokingly said “Then your mother probably wouldn’t approve of my choice for best cover art- Roxy Music’s Country Life!” LOL Wherever the internet guy is, I must say, he’s probably right!
“Oh, we’d like some of your money, I mean music. Why don’t you make an album?” That comment made me laugh. How little things have changed!
Abigail !! I just discovered your channel. I love it. You ARE THE ROCK'N'ROLL ORACLE RISEN OUT OF THE MISTS OF THE SEA OF JOY !!
Thank you for this "Blind Faith " review. This is one of the very best albums in recording history. Your thoughtful analysis and sense of group history shows your mastery of knowledgeable review.
How about a review of Cat Steven's " Catch Bull At Four " ? That album is one of my faves , and almost forgotten in the sands of time.
Thank you again for all that you do.
, Dean ( in Syracuse)
this has to be a top 10 comment i've ever gotten, i'll remember this a long time. thank you so much
i could cover some cat stevens in the future! maybe a double-feature episode of tea for the tillerman and mona bone jakon
Very educational, Im back in as a sub , love your schtick
I found you from a UA-cam push... I am delighted. Having grown up with rock and roll, and remembering so much of the history of the music I am thornily impressed with the research you have done. Also, your referencing disparate influences from tracks, personnel, and albums is very welcome. I am now subscribed and notified.
i'm so glad i can do right by this music by someone who experienced it first-hand. you're so lucky to have gotten to do that! thanks so much for subscribing
And don't forget to go back and watch old episodes! There's some good ones!
@@sugadelicsavagesoul8623 yes exactly! watching the old episodes definitely helps with the connections between artists. and the channel lore.
Another great review, Abby! Love how you weaved together George, D&B, Cream and Derek and the Dominos. All of those have been in my favorites stash for decades. I used to travel to China for work and I would listen to Blind Faith for 5 or 6 hours straight. When it was over it was like waking from a coma. I love this album!
with something like the clapton extended universe (as i’ve taken to calling it) it’s fairly easy to weave all those histories together
blind faith for 6 hours?? i’d be delirious by the end!
Abigail: I wish you were my grand daughter. What a pleasure to listen to a lovely young lady like you tell this tale. Everybody else: While he is my favorite drummer, Ginger Baker could be a real a-hole. If you don't know much about him, see the documentary "Beware of Mr. Baker." Ginger punched out and literally broke the film maker's nose during the making of the film. Bless him. That film will also help you appreciate Ginger Baker's knowledge of jazz, Cuban, and African rhythm.
That album cover looks very good on you.
I'm a old guy born in 1950. Out of the service when I was doing folk guitar stuff, I moved to Boulder in 1971 and married the most wonderful girl in the world. We had 42 glorious years together until cancer took her from me. I digress. We lived at the top of Boulder Heights in a large ranch house. We occupied one of the 7 bedrooms. One of the occupiers was also a guitar player. Eventually we had some small success with one of our bands. (The Defex, out of Denver in the late 70's. There was a home made stereo amp in the large living room, a very good and powerful one. One of its features allowed one to play two things at the same time. One day someone played "I Can't Find My Way Home". For speakers we had a rather large array of 12" cabs. (Band gear) The guy played the song very loud (We had acres of land so didn't bother anyone) He cued the same song at the same time but tweaked one of the songs ever so slightly. It created the most intense phase imaginable. The two turntables used were manual so as the one turntable slowly caught up to the other this extremely intense phase would happen. It only worked for "Can't Find My Way Home" as the material and speed worked well. But for that particular song it sounded glorious. You probably will never get to experience this as the amp needs to be able to run 2 sources at the same time. Not very common. My rather long winded story about Blind Faith. I enjoy your work. Stay at it young lady!
no such thing as too long-winded, i LOVE hearing stories like yours! thank you for choosing to tell it in my comments :)
Abby, great thumbnail! I am a sucker for creative thumbnails and of course Blind Faith/Traffic/Cream/Derrick. this one was just down my street, thanks. I really enjoy your research, growing up in these times we would hear rumors/stories about these albums and artists but there was a lot of fiction also. It is nice to know the less fictionalized version of this crazy time of music. Thanks
Well done my Dear. This album has been my #1 forever. I was already a fan of Eric and I became a fan of Steve after this one. And I learned to play every song on it on guitar. The singing was not so easy but I tried.
Since you brought up Steve Winwood, you might as well do a whole video on the band Traffic. Really cool but quite eccentric early psychedelic rock stuff.
Steve Winwood should be in the Hall Of Fame
He is. He was inducted with Traffic.
@@johnapplegate1289 Great😃
Can't Find My Way Home and Well All Right are my fave cuts on the album, though Winwood's voice on Sea of Joy is fantastic, too.
Great review Abby!! Never thought about the jazz connection but you're def onto something there. And I'm replacing the cover art on my digital collection of this album with your thumbnail from this vid! You make a much better album cover!
haha thank you!
Love your reviews Abby on all these legendary albums from the greatest era ever, of rock and roll. And yes, the Blind Faith album worked out very well with the uniquely talented combo of Eric and Steve.
I especially like the epic “ Do what you Like “. But despite the edginess between Clapton and Baker, I’m glad Ginger was still a part of this project. He’s one of the best drummers ever and helped immensely in making this a gem of an album.
winwood lobbied to clapton really hard for ginger's inclusion (pretty much talking him off the ledge)...and almost immediately regret it. i'm glad ginger was here too, that jazz influence undoubtedly came from him
@Abigail Devoe
Can't agree more. Thanks for your response Abby !
"Do What You Like" - is it only me, or might Winwood's keyboard solo in this song be inspired by Rick of Pink Floyd? (I mean especially Eugene with axe, but not only...)
@Jarosław Nowosad
Wow, that's a really interesting analysis. I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan and yet I'd never thought about making that comparison. And I love
" Careful with the Axe, Eugene. "
I'll have to listen to those two again.
Thanks for the insight. 👍
@@jarosawnowosad6973 floyd influence? maybe! i think more piper-era playing than axe, will have to listen to that song’s keys closer
Another great review of another classic. Also, you look fantastic!
thank you so much!
A great, great set of music. I still can't believe how that original cover slipped through.
I have great affection for this album; in school a mate called Buzzer would bring "underground" albums in and this was one. I couldn't even afford albums. Buzzer was a great character, he got girls; he and a girlfriend were entertaining one another on the kitchen floor and her Mum turned up, looking at them through the kitchen window. He and a mate went to see Led Sep at Sheffield City Hall (imagine!). Driving home they were stopped by the police who asked there names and where had they been.Buzzer said, "Jimmy Page," and his mate said,"John Bonham." After leaving school Buzzer got into stuff and is no longer with us. I often think it would be great to go for a pint with him. Whenever I play this album, especialy Can't Find My Way Home I think of Buzzer who just couldn't. Robin Witting England
Thanks for this review Abigail. Really nice. Great album but the way. The Hyde Park show was memorable for me as I blew out my eardrums listening to 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson who supported them (I sat next to their amps as there was room there. Didn't wonder why until... well that happened). Didn't really hear BF play as a result. Big fan of Family incidentally. One of Traffic's greatest albums is the live Welcome to the Canteen where Rich plays bass on tour with the boys. Now that is a great live album. Thanks again. Really enjoyed your review.
i’ve heard a few stories from people at that concert, they all seem to mirror your experience of KC totally stealing the show. i have a copy of welcome to the canteen! i’ll have to revisit it
I remember seeing the real album cover displayed in record stores and wondering HOW IN THE HELL IS THAT LEGAL?
That is what I was about to say. AMAZING what used to be allowable.
or tasteful
I remember it being in a shop or two in Australia as a young kid just starting to buy albums and I think eventually THAT cover was phased out.I don't think I was offended by it really and would just carry on looking.Didn't see it as a disgusting,shocking off putting thing at all.Still wonder what the big deal is even today !! I have a NORMAL copy of the album. LOL !
Is Nirvana's cover any less shocking?
As long as children weren't being obviously sexualized, it was legal. Witness Zeppelin's "House of the Holy" and yes, the Nirvana album. It was a matter of taste....like whoring your kids into TV/Radio commercials to sell product.
Your thumbnail pic is just awesome.
BloWn away with your knowledge and level of love of the music.
It wasn’t Come Together, it was Ballad of John and Yoko because they said Christ in the lyric’s. I’m old enough to have heard Come Together on the radio when it came out
Love your stories...so well researched and entertaining
Great album and I like the cover, you definitely remember it!
I just found you. Been watching a few of your episodes. Very impressive with your knowledge. I seen on a episode that you said you were 23. I'm 57 and i don't know a 1/3 of what you are telling us. Hats off to you. Keep up the good work.
thank you so much!
Just when I start to lament of this generation someone like you gives me a ray of hope. You are an articulate young lady.
Nice. Had to laugh out loud when I saw the thumbnail for this video pop up on YT this morning. Brilliant. Yes, the story I read was that Ginger heard around London that Clapton and Winwood were playing together, so he just started showing up and basically wouldn’t go away. That being said, his playing on the album is great. He really added to the music. Observations - 1) For some reason, it took me years to realize that it was Clapton and Winwood both playing at the end of “Had To Cry Today”. I thought it was a Clapton overdub. 2) “Can’t Find My Way Home” is a great song. 3) Love the 5/4 groove on “Do What…”, but always thought the bass solo went on a little too long. I mean he's fine, but he's no Jimmy Garrison...
Ginger Baker is an amazing drummer. And there is a lesser known album he was invited to drum on much later, "Sunrise on the Sufferbus" by Masters of Reality, 1992.... Great stuff.
Ginger Baker reciting Pressed Rat & Warthog is cool (first rap?)...I have a CD by Hawkwind called Levitation recorded 1980 with Ginger Baker on drums...great band!
He was awesome
I have loved this album ever since I first heard it in 1969. The jams are, granted, of a time, but they are really great, some of the best rock ever produced. And almost since I picked up a guitar in 1972, I have been performing Can’t Find My Way Home and will, probably, play it in public on Sunday at an invitational jam.
Family was completely unknown in the US. In the summer of 1970, we hosted a visit by the son of one my Father’s Danish friends. He was a year older than me and his number one mission while in the US was to buy records which cost half of what they did in Denmark. He had a list of records. On it were two albums by Family, Fearless and Bandstand. I had never heard of Family before. I bought my own copies and have listened to them ever since. Great band.
Only I have ever heard of Masters of Reality..I got it on cassette from a charity event at Old Orchard Mall..only I know how to make a cup of tea.
This was terrific. Well done 👏🏻👏🏻
You are so right about this album. Even with its faults it remains an all-time favorite rock album of its time. Winwood epitomized the best of the era in rock music, whatever he put his hand to. On the other hand, Baker's style with Cream was never my cup of tea, and yet he's not so bad on this album. Clapton begins taking steps away from being god with Blind Faith. Although, I'm pretty sure I hear some Hendrix in his "Presence" solo, one of his best ever. I love the acoustic instrumentation of the album too, a very distinctive sound. Great job, Abigail.
why is this channel actually goated. good vids
Thank you for discussing this album's orig cover, IT WAS NEVER OK ! Thank you for your much better version, substituting for that victimized child.
Thank you for using my term. One Hit Album Wonder. I have long said this should be a thing.
I was there that warm afternoon in Hyde Park the summer of '69 and I thought Blind Faith sounded ragged, an impression confirmed by the film footage I've subsequently seen. I eventually bought their album and although I was underwhelmed by it at the time I've come to appreciate it.
Thanks for reminding me to listen to this album again lol what a fucking all timer!
The drums on Well All Right are stellar.
What a great band - and album! Too bad they didn’t last any longer- But at least we have this
That was such a gigantic music time back then as me and my friends graduated from grade school into the post psych 70's world...the lack of internet only made it more mysterious. Great breakdowns of an era, Thanks for all the back story research!
i was in the army in new jersey, summer of 69....a fellow "warrior" and i got a copy of this with the girl on the front....went to his girl friends house, stayed in her bedroom for two nights and one day listening to it over and over.....we did not think the girl on the cover was porno at all........glad i lived through the good times and the bad times...
That's because it's not porn. Anyone saying so is nuts. The media likes to say it, but they have a business reason for it. They like to charge a lot extra when they sell us what they call porn.
I was in 7th grade when this album was released. Already knew about Clapton and his new group. After inspecting the cover at the local head shop/record store one Friday night, I knew there was no way I was able bring it home, lol. Long time ago now.
Great video as always, love your look today!
Not sure if you've talked about them before, but what do you think about the Stooges? Can we expect a video on one of their albums, eventually? 🙂
I love the Presence of the Lord. Gonna go listen to it now. The thumb nail cracked me up- not sure what they were thinking when it came to that cover!
i’m not sure what they were thinking either! digging into exactly what siedemann’s artistic vision was it seems like a truly dumbfounding case of good in theory, bad execution
I bought the album when it first came out. They were teasing us with songs on FM Radio so I got it on day 1 with the original art. Winwood and Clapton were a great team. Also, Rick Grech came from Family. Another one of my favorite bands.
whoosh. a quick call on my journey back to new year's eve 2023 (it's complicated).
this was my first vinyl monday. because, well one reason and that is that no one seems to talk about that art. you were dressed like that for a reason I thought. a good reason and I admired your assertiveness abby. the original blind faith cover art, even the thinking in its development and realization, is all a disgrace. it's sickening and no one comes out of it well.
the music i think has magic: a strange mix maybe but it creates a compulsive need to revisit this album again and again. baker's arrogance just to march in like that and present himself is just unbelievable.
the discussion you present here abby about the music is enlightening and I realized immediately that you were an attentive listener.
an explosive start to my vinyl monday journey, i was in big time from this moment on. now for the vinyl monday's of the future. roll transition i mean start the engines. whoosh.
Great video of remember when I got my copy of the album it's the rso pressing from the 80s and it has the original cover I put it on my turntable and I loved it my favorite tracks are can't find my way home and presence of the Lord I remember I read something about the band when they were on tour that they didn't have enough material and the label told Clapton to play cream songs and he got pissed great video I can't wait for next week's episode
I was twelve years old when my friend Max pulled this album (with girl cover) out of his Dad's collection to show me. Made quite an impression!
Made impression with music, or with cover art? (considering you were in model's age then, even the latter would be SOMEHOW justified...)
The music or the girl?
Presence of the Lord is being played through a Leslie Speaker. Listen to Badge or the other two studio tracks on Cream Goodbye.
When Ginger crashed the initial rehearsals, it was Steve Winwood that welcomed him with enthusiasm (he was a big fan). Clapton was not happy but resigned to the events because he really wanted to work with Steve.
Man .. I love the way you review records!
thank you! however i'm feeling about the album i want to encourage others to seek it out and see how they feel
Great Vid. Great to see a younger individual appreciating not only the music, but also the history and connections of artist and bands. BTW.....(a little name dropping brag here.) I saw "The 5" with "Zeppelin" way back in the 60's. (The Grande Ballroom) Thanks for your fun take on Blind Faiths singular footprint on rock and roll history. Love it. New Sub.😎T
you were at that show?? must've been incredible! i've seen photos of zeppelin on stage that night but not the 5. you win coolest subscriber, thanks for joining this long strange trip
@@abigaildevoe It might have been Paul Butterfield after all it was the 60's. I always went to see the 5. Wayne Kramer played at my Guitar players wedding years ago they where good friends. Great Channel Abby. 😎 T
You are such a tease … don’t ever stop!
Great review - I love the attention to detail. I just saw that Hyde Park concert on UA-cam a couple years ago. What an amazing performance. At least we got that out of the mess.
Blind Faith for me is easily the best project Clapton has ever been involved in. I’m doing a review of it on my channel soon.
Abby I really like your favorite picks off this album. I am 69 and bought my copy back in 69 and still have it. It is a true masterpiece. I'm glad you like it.
I think every now and then for Vinyl Monday, you should do a deep dive into what you think are the worst albums by bands you like.
For instance, CCR’s Mardi Gras.
It would be glorious seeing the snark flow!
omg that would be SO much fun. some of my ideas of what's the worst album might burn the place down but i'm all for it. grabbing the matches
@@abigaildevoe - The fact that that you despise Pink Floyd’s Animals (a personal fave. The 2018 remaster is amazing. It brings so much more clarity to the music… which you don’t like), does give me pause as to what you might rake over the coals, but hey, I’ll just put on my asbestos shorts and enjoy the ride. :-)
Love Beach is a terrible album by a first rate band
The whole album is genius, every track is gold! My favorite track (next to Had to Cry Today, Can't Find My Way Home, Presence of the Lord, Well Allright and Sea of Joy) is Do What You Like!! All the way down to the fading nonsense of music voices and sounds of the outro... when I got a cd of the album, ripped all the tracks I was able to keep the audio level of the fading outro to a non fade level... fun to listen to it all all the way to the "ta-daaa!" end!
Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories for m the days of my youth. I remember opening up that album, tearing open the plastic... grooving to the songs with all my friends...
Thank you. Subscribed.
BTW... I graduated high school in 1969. What a great time that was...
This was an absolutely great review.
I grew up in Birmingham, in the same neighborhood as Steve Winwood and for a while at art school I had a part time job in a record shop.
One wall was dedicated to local acts; The Move, ELO, Moody Blues, Black Sabbath, Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and at the centre of the display, practically at eye level was the original Blind Faith album sleeve.
It had the quality of a portrait that's eyes follow you round the room and to be honest, at least at first, the image made me feel awkward; something taboo and certainly not something to get caught staring at for too long. But after drawing and painting naked life models every week for nearly two years these early proclivities became moot and I came to regard the album and it's artwork as a product of a time when societal morality and ideas around youth and sexuality were at least in the UK far, far more relaxed.
The observation that Blind Faith is pushing into jazz album territory makes perfect sense as far as Winwood's musical evolution goes since the following year he releases the first of his jazz/rock fusion trilogy with Traffic in the shape of John Barleycorn Must Die.
Ginger wrote "Do What You Like" which is very reminiscent of his contribution to the Goodbye Cream LP: "What a Bringdown". Surprised Miss Abby did not mention this since she held up that album during the podcast.
I remember comming home early from work one day in autumn 1968, and switching on the radio, I heard the reporter say, that there were rumours in England, that Stevie Winwood and Eric Clapton were about to form what the reporter called a super-group. And then he said, that because of those rumours, a possible record was already pre-ordered in about 300.000 copies.
And when the record came out in summer 1969, the band and record were both called Blind Faith. Quite a title!!!
I was in my local record-store when it came out here (live in Denmark). And the copy I got was not with the photo of the young girl with the airplane-toy. It was in black and white with 2 different photoes of the group - 1 in front and the other on the back. And the lyrics was printed underneath the photoes - 4 in front and 2 on the back - nothing on the inner-sleeve.
2-3 months after I got my copy. the record started to come out here with the girl-photo, and as an album with the photoes on the inside - and the lyrics as well.
I still to this day consider this release as one of - if not THE best rock and roll record of all time.
According to Clapton’s autobiography (I’m more than a little obsessed, heck my cat is named Clapton), when Clapton saw the cover he didn’t think of it in a sexualized way. He thought of it as the beauty of innocence and purity, similar to nude Renaissance paintings. And honestly, I believe him. It tracks. This was a guy who before music took off was in art school. He’s always loved visual art (I mean, look at his Cream guitar The Fool). Even today he loves graffiti and street culture of all things. It doesn’t make it right at all and the PR team at the record company should have all been fired (even by 1969 standards) but it helps to at least know the intent. Awesome video as always!
Some of the info given here is very much common knowledge. With her phrasing and timing, Abigail gives us a whole new and fresh perspective on this album. An album with a cover that is equal parts obscene, pervy, and artistic all at the same time. As it was written by Dickens "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."
That is the only way I can describe the Blind Faith band, album, and album cover.