The greatest power trio ever in my humble opinion. They were awesome together. The talented jazz-honed skills of Baker and Bruce combined with Clapton’s soaring blues-based guitar work made for a truly unmatched sound
@@kingbrinston hey don't understand all this Hendrix bashing. After Jimi played that night when Cream invited him onstage, Clapton himself was found backstage by his manager hands shaking so much he could barely light his cigarette.. saying to his manager "you said he was good but not THAT good!"
I agree. This solo is a mind-blower. I heard Clapton and the Cream shortly after this at the Shrine Auditorium in LA around March '68. The song that stood out to me was "Tales of Brave Ulysses" with the "Wah Wah" effect in the solo. I was high as a kite on some little purple pill I dropped. I became completely mesmerized with Clapton's solo of chorus after chorus and how he kept relentless momentum while never repeated himself. I heard Hendrix around the same time and he was even more radical. Pure genius right on the spot. Clapton and Jimi ruled for live performance. It was a different and more "risk-taking" era. None of us had heard this kind of virtuosity before. This was jazz.
After listening to so many of the great rock guitarists over the past 50 years, I still think Clapton/Bruce/Baker not only outshine every other group, but they embody the eternal truth that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Mark Wilensky Couldn't of said it better my friend. I argue all the time about why Cream is the greatest. You don't need to be a music expert to see what separates them from the rest. All you need is your ears to hear what's going on between the three of them.
They are no slouches independantly either! ! ! But no other member shines as bright as their timekeeper. Ginger Baker is notoriously the most under rated drummer/percussionist in rock & roll history. His rock steady beat and techniques are second to none.
Yes!!!! How lucky I was! Twice I saw them in New Haven. I was only feet away from Clapton. My first music photographs. They had the music and the 60's in the palm of their hands!
Spoonful is my favorite Cream song. There are times when Bruce is leading it, but this is by far the best Clapton guitar version I have ever heard. Thanks for posting.
Hello Alan! I am sure Clapton would say the same about you! Exactly yesterday I was listening one gig -2005?-where you both play together (maybe Surrey), it's in UA-cam by the name "MAN WITH NO LEGS" , it actually starts with a prayer, then the set starts with "IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR", Eric doesn't sing, he simply screams like fire, then you sing (like God can only sing too) one song from Peter Green, you both have a beautiful guitar interplay, and your Strat tone is also amazing... I remember it made me search about your career as I had never heard the name, and I read the funny incident with your music teacher at school, etc... I wish you had kept on in Eric, s band, because for me, it was as when 79-83 Albert Lee and Eric teamed up. You made Eric play and sing better. I hope you keep singing like in those days, and stay healthy. Regards from Spain 🎸🎸
What a privilege it's been, to live in this era, to hear this music. I hope future generations find this. We miss you already, Jack. Rest in peace... But please come back soon.
Kerrie, I do so agree with you. It is a privilege to be able to hear this music so easily. I spent 1000's of hours, months, years, 22/24/7/365, on the P2P's after Napster Crashed and Burned, collecting a collection of collector's music. Now it is so easily available. Gaad!. Future Generations will listen only if we aging folks turn them onto this. I haven't found a 20 to 40 something that hasn't bounced their head to this. I'll be 70 soon. I never tire of hearing Cream, or EC
Kerrie Redgate I suppose it's possible. Reincarnation could be making a comeback, though if he did manage to do this he probably wouldn't want Ginger to know about it.
For that time period (late 1960's) he was a good blues/rock guitarist but certainly not even close to the classical and jazz guitarists of that time period or before or after that time-period. Alvin Lee and Jimi Hendrix were both better blues/rock guitarists than Clapton. Don't confuse the sound of loud electric guitar amps with skill.
@@JimDeferio Personally, Hendrix is the best for me, then Jeff Beck, and Alvin Lee is special to me and others are exceptional, but Clapton is not to be underestimated either. And as a man, he is fair.. And Jmmie Page ...
My favorite band. The first super group. For being together for such a short time no other band made such an impact. Ginger and Clapton solos are pure magic.
Cream is STILL my favourite Band. These 3 Talented Musicians just had a Power they brought to Stage. It's too bad there was so much friction between Bruce and Baker.
I was drawn to Cream in 1966 by Jack Bruce's bass and singing. He really was the powerhouse of this group. But on the other hand Ginger and Eric were both top of the list players. Unique is a good word for them. I got to see them live in '67 and of course I was smoked up. When they started playing I went into a trance and was totally mesmerized by the sounds they were putting out. Just 3 guys who dressed like me were putting out all of this? I couldn't believe it. Great concert.
Every time I hear these Spoonful jams, I always get a sense of competition among the three musicians. Each one is working to play their best riffs and I still am in awe how each musician strives to set their own standard of excellence within the song. Every version of this is a little different, I still like the Wheels of Fire version the best,
Also the band Jimi kicked off the throne ;) Given that Clapton is friggin magnificent here. Better than the filmore...which before i played this I would've though it was impossible to beat the version on Wheels Of Fire 1
@@dimethaltryptamine1He would not have withstood the challenge by two more equals to his undeniable talents. Which is why he alone , was showcased.Kinda gets old ,fast.There are hundreds of 'bar band " Jimis who eclipse what Hendrix managed , at his zenith.
@@anauticalgate5496 i do truly believe in my heart that Jimi was a stand alone. Purely unique in every way. So respectfully I must disagree that there are hundreds of bar band Jimis that outshine him even and especially in Jimi's prime. He was unique and the passion in his music will never be seen or heard again
Was blessed to see them in San Diego on the Wheels of Fire tour. Eric broke into this long, long solo then walked off stage. As incredible as his solo was when Jack started his bass solo it made Clapton sound like he was a Thalidomide guitarist. After a mind blowing bass solo, Jack left the stage too leaving Ginger rockin and sweatin like a mad man. I remember somewhere during the drum solo Ginger spoke into the mic saying "I could sure use something to keep this going!" The stage was showered with joints! Eric and Jack came back and played another 15 - 20 minutes ending Spoonful. Baker must have played non-stop for an hour easily.
i saw them in mt adams cincinnati it must have been 67 or 68..a small venue,,, same incredible routine all soloing then leaving....it was amazing just like u say;;;
+Papa McCain The Thalidomide comment wasn't exactly funny...... ginger prob didn't mean weed........ I saw him do his unreal "Do what u like", B.F. solo with the sticks flying in the air and him catching them perfectly with his head bowed, eyes closed.... fuck'n nuke-u-lar. The local establishment cut the power and he pounded the mic into the stage floor in anger as the crowd wailed.... summer '69
I was there also, but it might have been the year before that, 1967, though they were playing WOF material anyway. Exhibition hall, next door to Golden Hall Community Concourse. Brain Police opened. Jack killed me with Traintime also. Never to be forgotten.
Watch the video/movie Beware of Mr Baker and you'll understand that no rock drummer could touch him. He had "drum-offs" with the top American jazz drummers. No other rock drummer would attempt to do that. But when he played rock, he played what the song needed, and that was not jazz drumming.
Ginger Baker is definitely the best drummer of all time given when he was doing that and the lack of technology they had back then. He IS the hammer of the gods!!! I am a bass player and LOVE Jack Bruce, but it is true, without Ginger Baker (really without any one of them) they would not have been the creative powerhouse they were. Not to diss on Bonzo, he was heavy but sloppy and I laugh anytime someone tries to put him on the same level as Ginger.
Imagine having popular audience that actually listens to extended instrumentals, that would not happen today, there are no popular extended instrumentals because the audience would have to pay extended attention, today only extended electronic music has a popular audience, at least there is that.
Imagine an audience sitting through 18 mins. of "Toad" I could sit through 18 hrs. of "Toad"! Every time I come home and my boxer puppy wags her tail against her kennel, I hear Ginger's double bass drums!
Holy shit...Clapton was seriously ON here.....killing it..... IMO, nobody ever, that I've heard anyway, brought out his greatness as a guitarist like Ginger and Jack....nobody!!!
Blessed by 60s LOVE of Supreme music. Blessed by Cream. Blessed by the Sunshine of beautiful composition and arrangements that shine with a sparkling, magical music rays of eternal passion to ignite the hearts of fans and music lovers, appreciating the grandest selection of 60s sublime songs in a blues, rock era psychedelic influence of magnetic compilations of great albums with super songs, so special. Your music lives forever, your memories everlasting. R.I.P. JACK BRUCE, Brilliant Bassist ever!
I'm fascinated by Jack Bruce. Instantly recognizable voice, unique in the world of music. Most amazing vibrato and note-bending skill. I've been bonded to his voice since the 60s.
That little bit of filler < "Dreaming" >off of 1966's Fresh Cream ,is a good example of Bruce's measured breathing ,pace.It's almost a warm up exercise - but it gives the listener a clue , that this is going to go,beyond Macca's capabilities.
This was the great power trio of all time. Jack is right there with Eric soloing away on this jam. His bass lines are like solos. It's what every musician who improvises strives for; sure it's in a rock idiom but it's totally free and in the moment. What total greatness.
Spoonful has been my favourite piece of music since I first heard the Wheels Of Fire album 50 years ago. This is the first time I heard this version. It is just as amazing as the Wheels version!
Agree I know the previous song on the album Cross Road Blues more famous but this is THE Blues|Rock song up to this point or maybe All time (JIMI AT WOODSTOCK MORE ROCK???) Loved the laid back Blind Faith would have loved to see them at Woodstock but would either them or Cream have outshine Jimi??!!
@@chrisayres7948 OMFG you and basil are so far off. Neither was imitating the other as they are very different kinds of players. In Cream Drums a la Baker kept time and fantastically well I should add and Jack Bruce used that as freedom to solo-bass much of the time. As a result Clapton had to continually define the circle of chords in time, which he did extremely well. In Experience, Drums a la Mitchell SUSPENDED time with polyrhythms (see Elvin Jones) and cymbal gas which would have left a Bass player of Bruce's caliber wide open but Noel was a guitar player and sucked on Bass, not badly but comparatively, so he kept time. This freed Jimi to not have to and he could play "outside" with abandon. Please note that Miles Davis didn't desire to play with Clapton but he did with Jimi. Trying to compare the two is apples and oranges, and please notice there are no scoreboards at concerts..
@@enorbet2 Don't believe basil bathbone is writing he believes Eric Clapton was imitating Jimi Hendrix - rather he is alluding to what some other people may say anecdotally. basil bathbone then continues writing explaining he believes that it is BS what some other people may say anecdotally. In other words basil bathbone does NOT believe Eric Clapton was imitating Jimi Hendrix at all during 'Spoonful'. I agree with your comments and I learnt something. May I add that Jimi Hendrix also jammed with Traffic in the late '60s. FYI: jimi-hendrix.servidor-alicante.com/discs/Jimi_Hendrix_and_Traffic_-_A_Session.html
@@Blackscorpion1963 - Yes it seems I jumped the gun and owe Basil an apology. I have no idea why I included Basil at first glance other than that - first glance.
attended 3 Cream concerts 67,68 at Grande Ballroom. Popular venues then Fillmore East-West. Top Groups love. Grande crowd. , acoustics. They played 3 nights row. In prompt ( 5 minutes Eric and band…just spontaneous playing Off each other . My( middle ) of a song was Unique, Great art Cream set. Listening now Spoon-full song example but must b 10 min. In Prom-too My fav band 60’ s.
IMO opinion the band that set the standard for all blues rock bands past and present. There will never be another like it. Three musicians that smoked the house down. Pity egos ruined the group.
22 minutes of the best psychedelic blues rock-inspired musical era songs, the roots being born on stage evolving live before a mesmerized crowd following each bend and twist and beat to a frenzied finale, amazing!!!!
Clapton is a beast, a guitar machíne, wow 😎🎶🚬✌️, he came to this world to make many people happy with his talent, thanks god, ala, buda whatever, respect 👏👍.
Stephen Jones What you talking about man He wrote Layla since then and Badge and Wrote the theme music to Lethal weapon and performed live with Phil Collins etc etc he got better as a musician he couldn't keep playing heavy rock forever it would've gotten old just look at GNR today still playing the same songs they played since 86 lol
A little "Cat's Squirrel" at 10:55. Phenomenal band. One of a kind. All these guys were at the very peak of their awesome creative powers in 1967-1968. They don't make sufficient adjectives to describe this.
I think if you check it out Clapton was doing this before Hendrix hence Hendrix sound pretty england and post. Both great guitarists without any doubt but for me Clapton is number 1.
@@richardrybinski2320 Don't forget Terry Kath, check 25 or 6 to 4 song guitar solo from Chicago Transit Authority and You Will see also the incredible talent spreaded this amazing guitar player.
This use to be a big debate! It was finally settled after many years of debating with Jimi coming out on top. Of course some still say Eric was better. But if you don't know why Jimi gets the nod I can't explain it to ya.
@@acepaul407 No, Clapton was even after that. I have never heard a single live take that Jimi played that ever came anywhere close to this recording alone.
Only one left standing , Clapton!! Only two from the allmans, jamioe and Betts!! Two from The Who. Those of us lucky enough to have lived through this time simply had the best Rock music ever!!!!
When these three were on they were ON! Clapton couldn't help but play his ass off with that amazing rhythm section pushing him like a runaway train of bluesrock fusion! WHOA!!!!
Where on earth did you find this?? Truly amazing. Thanks so much for posting it on here. Truly at the top of their class. The older I get the better they sound. I was 21!! What a year.
EC has been my favorite since high school---40 years. I wore out Wheels of Fire. Then Layla. This recording is 1967 for goodness sake. Live Spoonful showcases the sounds, the talent, you couldn't hear anywhere else.
7:20 is really cool then after that melody he starts tearing it up like I never heard him tear it up before. Him improvising like that with an amazing rhythm section improvising under him is hard. Most people refuse to understand his role in Cream. It's the reason why people think he's overrated.
Led Zeppelin showed genius on the first album, but even then, the studio effects are what make the Led Zeppelin sound. People don't do barbershop quartets with themselves, as Plant does on countless LZ recordings. Same for Page. Very good sounds from both groups, but Cream defines power trio, and in most ways, it defines psychedelic rock, blues rock, and hard rock.
Zeppelin sounded best on record, while they were mostly underwhelming live. Cream was the opposite; their studio recordings, while good, were nowhere near the live sound they produced. Cream on record was like a bird trapped in a cage. When they could stretch their wings and improvise at high volumes with a lot of overdrive and spontaneous ferocity for 10 or 15 minutes on stage, they truly came alive.
Imagine telling these guys at the time that you're a messenger from the future, and that one day, someone who will be listening to this exact performance will have it suddenly interrupted by an actor pretending to be the CEO of A&W talking about a burger that has no meat in it....
to be fair, you could say that about Jimi, The Who, The Stones, and what people like The Beatles and Brian Wilson were doing in the studios. Everybody was doing something fresh, and unique amongst their peers, which is why 1965-68 are the golden age of rock music
+Zaq Kickasola (Da Shurif) You can't compare,the who, stones or the beatles or Brian Wilson. None of these bands truly featured lead guitarists. They must be judges on their own merit, not compared.
@@1994g0 blues is not about technique...it's about a feeling. In that context...these guys sound like showoffs. They were my favorite band of that era but Clapton is not my favorite guitarist. Hendrix and Wes Montgomery....all day. Much more interesting artists.
I can't believe 37 people gave this a thumbs down, they must have come to this page by mistake, probably looking for some rap music, when they heard real instruments being played by real musicians they gave it the thumbs down and went about their cappy music business
I believe they played New Haven that year. I was their. Beyond Amazing!!! And before we knew it. Cream was having their farewell tour. I was only feet from Clapton. Pure Magic!
The other amazing thing about this music is the restrictions of the technology that was in its infancy in those days. I can still remember the time when the first FOUR-track recording studio was built in Melbourne (Aus)! It was a really big WOW deal!! Sound engineers have enormous sound desks now, with almost perfect reproduction, and with any kind of sound effect we can dream up! Compared to the 60s, we have better recording sound quality in our MacBooks! And still these guys wow us with their old recordings! It was raw talent!
Phenomenal playing by all three musicians, soloing simultaneously. It had only previously been done in jazz, and never in jazz-rock, by Scott La Faro and Paul Motion. What a shame relentless touring killed the band, but in 67 they still sounded fresh. EC is well and truly on here, and jack and Ginger laying trails that few rhythm sections in history surpassed.
Tim charles what killed the band was that Jack and Ginger hated each other with a passion. They competed to set the rhythm of band. Neither of them were particularly likeable with Ginger’s son having very harsh words to say on his father’s death. Ginger likewise repeated his loathing of Jack after their reunion concert, saying he would never play with the ‘....,’ again because he still hated him. Of course Eric was well documented as being up to his eyeballs in drugs during and after his time with Cream. For all that my first LP at 13 was Disraeli Gears and still listen to regularly at 65. Being a good guy is not a requirement to be a top musician.
Around 14:00 Clapton gets tired of caterwauling and starts listening to Bruce play. He then does something amazing, he begins to make music with him. It's a moment in the true sense of the word music. He can actually here them talking to each other.
+WilhelmScream at 7;20 too i think..checking in then checking out,,,,going off,,they are so in psynch tho/// inspiring each other i guess,,, cream of the crop alright,,,empowering music !!
+WilhelmScream -- dig this comment and made me listen to this with more intent -- Also must say Ginger is also killing it here esp during the summation of the jam at 16:00
So many British musicians of this era loved to play Detroit - Savoy Brown even dedicated their "Savoy Brown Boogie" to the great people of Detroit. They know how to rock and appreciate great music.
The venue in Detroit was the Grande Ballroom. I saw Cream play there in October 1967, and this may well be the performance of Spoonful from that night. The Grande was a place all unto itself. If you were never fortunate to go there, you missed the very heart of the 1960s. Most killer venue of all time. The musicians themselves said so.
@@JackOstinato I've met people from that era and ask them about it. They usually look down, shake their heads and give me that "you had to be there" smile. It was a venue that I wish I could've gone to. But I still had the Fillmore East and many east coast venues.
Thanks for the info.I did'nt know that.I've been a Cream freak since they came out.That's what started me playing bass in 1967.I'm still playing some Cream songs in my band.
![Cream - Spoonful [320kbps, best pressing]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BoJ6PnlvpZs/mqdefault.jpg)
![Cream - Spoonful [320kbps, best pressing]](/img/tr.png)
The greatest power trio ever in my humble opinion. They were awesome together. The talented jazz-honed skills of Baker and Bruce combined with Clapton’s soaring blues-based guitar work made for a truly unmatched sound
Just listened to Hendrix house burning down and Clapton is just a English guy playing rocking bluez
@@kingbrinston Wes Montgomery could burn Hendrix down,without breaking a sweat.And Wes didn't rely on Ronson lighter fluid.
@@kingbrinston hey don't understand all this Hendrix bashing. After Jimi played that night when Cream invited him onstage, Clapton himself was found backstage by his manager hands shaking so much he could barely light his cigarette.. saying to his manager "you said he was good but not THAT good!"
Nobody was ever close
@@anauticalgate5496 That said, I am never going to knock or diminish Hendrix voice on the electric guitar.
It amazes me how somebody can sing a melody and play a rhythm instrument(bass) so well simultaneously. Jack Bruce R.I.P.
When Jack played, it was a lead instrument: he defined rock bass.
Jack made the bass fill so many roles in that band. Three instruments sounding symphonic!
A musical “genius” like Frank Zappa couldn’t play and sing at the same time to save his life.
@@monty70 miss him too.Frank was a great arranger ,and producer,among his other talents.
@@timcharles5476 my favorite concerts all had Jack playing, his famous EB3,or ,his Lucite Ampeg, or ,much later-Warwick fretless
I agree. This solo is a mind-blower. I heard Clapton and the Cream shortly after this at the Shrine Auditorium in LA around March '68. The song that stood out to me was "Tales of Brave Ulysses" with the "Wah Wah" effect in the solo. I was high as a kite on some little purple pill I dropped. I became completely mesmerized with Clapton's solo of chorus after chorus and how he kept relentless momentum while never repeated himself. I heard Hendrix around the same time and he was even more radical. Pure genius right on the spot. Clapton and Jimi ruled for live performance. It was a different and more "risk-taking" era. None of us had heard this kind of virtuosity before. This was jazz.
We were the first to enjoy “pharmaceuticals enhanced” music. And Ginger Baker could play drums longer than anyone. The Era of Great Music
Just put my headphones on closed my eyes and gone back 50 years in time to my youth, thanks for posting.
After listening to so many of the great rock guitarists over the past 50 years, I still think Clapton/Bruce/Baker not only outshine every other group, but they embody the eternal truth that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Mark Wilensky Couldn't of said it better my friend. I argue all the time about why Cream is the greatest. You don't need to be a music expert to see what separates them from the rest. All you need is your ears to hear what's going on between the three of them.
They are no slouches independantly either! ! ! But no other member shines as bright as their timekeeper. Ginger Baker is notoriously the most under rated drummer/percussionist in rock & roll history. His rock steady beat and techniques are second to none.
They OUTSUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE? I agree.
Agree. Totally spontaneous from the heart
Yes!!!! How lucky I was! Twice I saw them in New Haven. I was only feet away from Clapton. My first music photographs. They had the music and the 60's in the palm of their hands!
These 3 musicians, folks, they were years, years, years ahead of their time!
Your comment is years ahead of its time.
I was 14 in 69 and I must say that I appreciate this now more than ever at 68😮….🙏🏼 🙏🏼..🙏🏼.
Power trio... also Hendrix
@@rrock2025 Just imagine in 2067 people will still listen to Cream!
@@kensolmann5262 Oh, let's not forget the power duo, Hardin & York.
Cream never gets old, can listen to them at any age, even a 100!!
130
I will be listening to this in the nursing home!
I am 72 and I am just in my half time. Keep strong and healthy guys!
Clapton is really tearing it up. Good to hear a new piece by Cream I have never heard. They were the BEST.
Spoonful is my favorite Cream song. There are times when Bruce is leading it, but this is by far the best Clapton guitar version I have ever heard. Thanks for posting.
I agree that Eric is beyond the beyond on this cut Never ending GLORIOUS riffs without a sour note extant !!!😎
Hell yeah!!
Don't forget the Baker glue holding this ship on course!
This is my favorite cover of theirs. I still like Chester, Arthur Burnetts version better.
@@billhorstkamp98 It was Howlin' good.
I was lucky enough to tour with Eric for a year in 1998. He truly has something special.
did U play?...Roadcrew? Sound?
I have seen you play in some shows with Eric,, I though well “ Eric always has great players with him”
@@soxwina if you don't know Alan Darby,... You are missing something great!!!!
Hello Alan! I am sure Clapton would say the same about you! Exactly yesterday I was listening one gig -2005?-where you both play together (maybe Surrey), it's in UA-cam by the name "MAN WITH NO LEGS" , it actually starts with a prayer, then the set starts with "IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR", Eric doesn't sing, he simply screams like fire, then you sing (like God can only sing too) one song from Peter Green, you both have a beautiful guitar interplay, and your Strat tone is also amazing... I remember it made me search about your career as I had never heard the name, and I read the funny incident with your music teacher at school, etc... I wish you had kept on in Eric, s band, because for me, it was as when 79-83 Albert Lee and Eric teamed up. You made Eric play and sing better. I hope you keep singing like in those days, and stay healthy. Regards from Spain 🎸🎸
RIP Alan Darby passed Feb 2023. Played in Erics band often in 90s on second guitar.
What a privilege it's been, to live in this era, to hear this music. I hope future generations find this. We miss you already, Jack. Rest in peace... But please come back soon.
Kerrie, I do so agree with you. It is a privilege to be able to hear this music so easily. I spent 1000's of hours, months, years, 22/24/7/365, on the P2P's after Napster Crashed and Burned, collecting a collection of collector's music. Now it is so easily available. Gaad!. Future Generations will listen only if we aging folks turn them onto this. I haven't found a 20 to 40 something that hasn't bounced their head to this. I'll be 70 soon. I never tire of hearing Cream, or EC
Brian Day i agree too youtube is like every memory you ever had on tap
Kerrie Redgate It would be a huge surprise to me if he managed to come back.
Hi Everybody! He won't come back as 'Jack Bruce'. He might not even come back as a musician, but I hope he does.
Kerrie Redgate I suppose it's possible. Reincarnation could be making a comeback, though if he did manage to do this he probably wouldn't want Ginger to know about it.
If you aren't spending at least 50% of your time listening to Jack Bruce and what he's doing you're missing the best part of this cut.
pedroV2003 Some/Many Bass Licks Never Heard Before, or Since... What A JAM..... ✌😎
Jack WAS GREAT
Ginger is out there on this one. Truly unconventional drummer.
Baker was the engine room of this band!
Ginger Baker is always amazing
However, Clapton is unique and one of the best guitarists of all time and of all genres. But also a fair man to be admired.
He was my first inspiration, and created the overdriven sound all by himself, others followed. Yes to be admired.
And ,he loves fly fishing , has a monster of a sweet tooth and fast cars!!!!
As a musician, yes. As a human being Eric was an a******. By his own admission he r@ped Pattie Boyd.
For that time period (late 1960's) he was a good blues/rock guitarist but certainly not even close to the classical and jazz guitarists of that time period or before or after that time-period. Alvin Lee and Jimi Hendrix were both better blues/rock guitarists than Clapton.
Don't confuse the sound of loud electric guitar amps with skill.
@@JimDeferio Personally, Hendrix is the best for me, then Jeff Beck, and Alvin Lee is special to me and others are exceptional, but Clapton is not to be underestimated either. And as a man, he is fair.. And Jmmie Page ...
They were gods!voice,drums,guitar.personalities were something else,god bless em!
Than I am a angel
Why not to say yes.or no
My favorite band. The first super group. For being together for such a short time no other band made such an impact. Ginger and Clapton solos are pure magic.
Cream is STILL my favourite Band. These 3 Talented Musicians just had a Power they brought to Stage. It's too bad there was so much friction between Bruce and Baker.
I was drawn to Cream in 1966 by Jack Bruce's bass and singing. He really was the powerhouse of this group. But on the other hand Ginger and Eric were both top of the list players. Unique is a good word for them. I got to see them live in '67 and of course I was smoked up. When they started playing I went into a trance and was totally mesmerized by the sounds they were putting out. Just 3 guys who dressed like me were putting out all of this? I couldn't believe it. Great concert.
Fresh Cream ,Revolver& Pet Sounds really changed the landscape, and the signposts , in '66.
Tu as parfaitement raison ! @@parallaxcontinuum7898
@@parallaxcontinuum7898 1966 is my favorite year, things got fruity by the end of 1967 and then all the bogus hippie stuff took over....
The last great year , for many a moon@@AmericasChoice
1968 Cream shows were very good . 1967 Cream shows ... WOW .
RIP Jack Bruce. Absolute legend.
Every time I hear these Spoonful jams, I always get a sense of competition among the three musicians. Each one is working to play their best riffs and I still am in awe how each musician strives to set their own standard of excellence within the song. Every version of this is a little different, I still like the Wheels of Fire version the best,
Try listening to Powerhouse's version '69
@@darjfie If it's on youtube, I'll dig it up.
Most definitely one of the top solo's I every heard by EC, Sleepy time time.(live) is a killer too.
sleepy time. wow
This is the band which Jimi declared was "THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD"
Really?
Also the band Jimi kicked off the throne ;)
Given that Clapton is friggin magnificent here. Better than the filmore...which before i played this I would've though it was impossible to beat the version on Wheels Of Fire 1
@@dimethaltryptamine1He would not have withstood the challenge by two more equals to his undeniable talents. Which is why he alone , was showcased.Kinda gets old ,fast.There are hundreds of 'bar band " Jimis who eclipse what Hendrix managed , at his zenith.
@@dimethaltryptamine1 that never happened. Between 66 and 68, there was nothing better
@@anauticalgate5496 i do truly believe in my heart that Jimi was a stand alone. Purely unique in every way. So respectfully I must disagree that there are hundreds of bar band Jimis that outshine him even and especially in Jimi's prime. He was unique and the passion in his music will never be seen or heard again
RIP Jack Bruce, a great artist whose talents we will miss
Never heard this before. Cool recording. The power of three. Love it when they go off on an extended jam.
Was blessed to see them in San Diego on the Wheels of Fire tour. Eric broke into this long, long solo then walked off stage. As incredible as his solo was when Jack started his bass solo it made Clapton sound like he was a Thalidomide guitarist. After a mind blowing bass solo, Jack left the stage too leaving Ginger rockin and sweatin like a mad man. I remember somewhere during the drum solo Ginger spoke into the mic saying "I could sure use something to keep this going!" The stage was showered with joints! Eric and Jack came back and played another 15 - 20 minutes ending Spoonful. Baker must have played non-stop for an hour easily.
i saw them in mt adams cincinnati it must have been 67 or 68..a small venue,,, same incredible routine all soloing then leaving....it was amazing just like u say;;;
+Papa McCain The Thalidomide comment wasn't exactly funny...... ginger prob didn't mean weed........ I saw him do his unreal "Do what u like", B.F. solo with the sticks flying in the air and him catching them perfectly with his head bowed, eyes closed.... fuck'n nuke-u-lar. The local establishment cut the power and he pounded the mic into the stage floor in anger as the crowd wailed.... summer '69
I was there also, but it might have been the year before that, 1967, though they were playing WOF material anyway. Exhibition hall, next door to Golden Hall Community Concourse. Brain Police opened. Jack killed me with Traintime also. Never to be forgotten.
Ginger Baker was probably referring to them coming back on stage. Fighting over that SPOONFUL.
Id pay everything i have to have seen that, you truly are blessed.
Again, Baker goes ignored. Listen carefully. Clapton and Bruce hang on his every beat!
This is one of the things that I noticed as I was learning to play electric bass, how fantastically great Ginger Baker is as a drummer.
Watch the video/movie Beware of Mr Baker and you'll understand that no rock drummer could touch him. He had "drum-offs" with the top American jazz drummers. No other rock drummer would attempt to do that. But when he played rock, he played what the song needed, and that was not jazz drumming.
Thanks, I'll make a point of watching that. Maybe it'll help me with some of the difficulty I'm having in sight-reading rhythms quickly :)
Ginger Baker is definitely the best drummer of all time given when he was doing that and the lack of technology they had back then. He IS the hammer of the gods!!! I am a bass player and LOVE Jack Bruce, but it is true, without Ginger Baker (really without any one of them) they would not have been the creative powerhouse they were. Not to diss on Bonzo, he was heavy but sloppy and I laugh anytime someone tries to put him on the same level as Ginger.
Just exactly WHO is ignoring Baker ? I didnt ignore him at the Garden in NYC in '68, did you ?
Imagine having popular audience that actually listens to extended instrumentals, that would not happen today, there are no popular extended instrumentals because the audience would have to pay extended attention, today only extended electronic music has a popular audience, at least there is that.
Imagine an audience sitting through 18 mins. of "Toad" I could sit through 18 hrs. of "Toad"! Every time I come home and my boxer puppy wags her tail against her kennel, I hear Ginger's double bass drums!
Ever heard Phish dude?
I recommend that you listen to the band Earthless
Earthless...Cream reincarnated!!! I get hypnotized in maybe, 22 seconds.
One obvious exception to your point is Tash Sultana - check our :Live at the Paradise"
The greatest band of all time
Clapton is GOD.... everything he touches.... turns to GOLD .
Wish I could travel back in time! Only to witness this magic moment of pure ecstatic musicianship
Amazing. Nothing like this nowadays. Cream were the Cream !
Ginger Baker R.I.P. we love you always!!!!
Holy shit...Clapton was seriously ON here.....killing it..... IMO, nobody ever, that I've heard anyway, brought out his greatness as a guitarist like Ginger and Jack....nobody!!!
Duane Allman did a pretty good job of it.
Stevie Winwood in their 2000s reunion got him plenty inspired.
Blessed by 60s LOVE of Supreme music. Blessed by Cream. Blessed by the Sunshine of beautiful composition and arrangements that shine with a sparkling, magical music rays of eternal passion to ignite the hearts of fans and music lovers, appreciating the grandest selection of 60s sublime songs in a blues, rock era psychedelic influence of magnetic compilations of great albums with super songs, so special.
Your music lives forever, your memories everlasting. R.I.P. JACK BRUCE, Brilliant Bassist ever!
I'm fascinated by Jack Bruce. Instantly recognizable voice, unique in the world of music. Most amazing vibrato and note-bending skill. I've been bonded to his voice since the 60s.
That little bit of filler < "Dreaming" >off of 1966's Fresh Cream ,is a good example of Bruce's measured breathing ,pace.It's almost a warm up exercise - but it gives the listener a clue , that this is going to go,beyond Macca's capabilities.
Yes!!! His vibrato is excellent!
I love Jack Bruce's voice so hard.
This was the great power trio of all time. Jack is right there with Eric soloing away on this jam. His bass lines are like solos. It's what every musician who improvises strives for; sure it's in a rock idiom but it's totally free and in the moment. What total greatness.
Was there any bass player in the last 50 yrs who could compare?
W hiteroom cream
@@markwilensky5547 wie is wie?
T homass Menson ik heb een 2
@@markwilensky5547 I haar ThomassM
Spoonful has been my favourite piece of music since I first heard the Wheels Of Fire album 50 years ago. This is the first time I heard this version. It is just as amazing as the Wheels version!
Agree I know the previous song on the album Cross Road Blues more famous but this is THE Blues|Rock song up to this point or maybe All time (JIMI AT WOODSTOCK MORE ROCK???) Loved the laid back Blind Faith would have loved to see them at Woodstock but would either them or Cream have outshine Jimi??!!
@@anauticalgate5496 hell, I thought Canned Heat had a better set than Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock
@@billhorstkamp98perhaps, but Canned Heat was SO BAD in that they couldn't put their Songs together.
I was there that night; later I found out that they felt that was the best set of their tour.
Another example of why live concerts beat studio recordings every time.
Jack Bruce is absolutely tremendous
Best ever... never get tired of this group... always cheers me up... wish I could of seen at Fillmore in SFO...
Clapton is amazing on this. But on top of that, Bruce and Ginger are fantastic as well.
Shouldn't that on the bottom?
the guy was firing on all cylinders to say he was imitating hendrix is a load of b----s this was is still stunning
basil bathbone he wasn't imitating Hendrix , Hendrix imitated him
@@chrisayres7948 OMFG you and basil are so far off. Neither was imitating the other as they are very different kinds of players. In Cream Drums a la Baker kept time and fantastically well I should add and Jack Bruce used that as freedom to solo-bass much of the time. As a result Clapton had to continually define the circle of chords in time, which he did extremely well. In Experience, Drums a la Mitchell SUSPENDED time with polyrhythms (see Elvin Jones) and cymbal gas which would have left a Bass player of Bruce's caliber wide open but Noel was a guitar player and sucked on Bass, not badly but comparatively, so he kept time. This freed Jimi to not have to and he could play "outside" with abandon. Please note that Miles Davis didn't desire to play with Clapton but he did with Jimi. Trying to compare the two is apples and oranges, and please notice there are no scoreboards at concerts..
@@enorbet2 Don't believe basil bathbone is writing he believes Eric Clapton was imitating Jimi Hendrix - rather he is alluding to what some other people may say anecdotally. basil bathbone then continues writing explaining he believes that it is BS what some other people may say anecdotally. In other words basil bathbone does NOT believe Eric Clapton was imitating Jimi Hendrix at all during 'Spoonful'. I agree with your comments and I learnt something. May I add that Jimi Hendrix also jammed with Traffic in the late '60s. FYI: jimi-hendrix.servidor-alicante.com/discs/Jimi_Hendrix_and_Traffic_-_A_Session.html
@@Blackscorpion1963 - Yes it seems I jumped the gun and owe Basil an apology. I have no idea why I included Basil at first glance other than that - first glance.
Great explanation of the 2 differing styles though. 2 of the greatest bands of all time for sure
Endless jam... better than Jimi Hendrix, according to me!
attended 3 Cream concerts 67,68 at Grande Ballroom.
Popular venues then
Fillmore East-West.
Top Groups love.
Grande crowd.
, acoustics.
They played 3 nights row.
In prompt ( 5 minutes Eric and band…just spontaneous playing
Off each other . My( middle ) of a song was Unique, Great art Cream set. Listening now Spoon-full song example but must b 10 min. In Prom-too
My fav band 60’
s.
IMO opinion the band that set the standard for all blues rock bands past and present. There will never be another like it. Three musicians that smoked the house down. Pity egos ruined the group.
The greatest live Band I ever seen. And I seen them all.
@Jimi Hendrix yes
ZEP in 69???
22 minutes of the best psychedelic blues rock-inspired musical era songs, the roots being born on stage evolving live before a mesmerized crowd following each bend and twist and beat to a frenzied finale, amazing!!!!
The longest and best solo everlast. Amazing, wonderfull Clapton.
63, need my Cream with my coffeee, it gets my day started!
No one could jam like Cream...
Logically a bit far fetched but I get your point. :)
Not far fetched at all, just the truth
There are plenty who jam like Cream.
By "jam" do you mean, play music?
Well, I've never heard them jam. I've heard them play their songs as they rehearsed them but jamming is something else entirely.
Clapton is a beast, a guitar machíne, wow 😎🎶🚬✌️, he came to this world to make many people happy with his talent, thanks god, ala, buda whatever, respect 👏👍.
I think this stuff can't be topped ever
unbelievable! what a jam best version i have ever heard made my day
Saw them perform this live at the Filmore West in 1967. Outta sight! :D
Eric is a living Guitar legend along with his buddies Jefff Beck and Jimmy Page. Back in the day I was so pissed off when Cream broke up.
Stephen Jones What you talking about man He wrote Layla since then and Badge and Wrote the theme music to Lethal weapon and performed live with Phil Collins etc etc he got better as a musician he couldn't keep playing heavy rock forever it would've gotten old just look at GNR today still playing the same songs they played since 86 lol
Lucky dude.... or chick...
This is a great version. I still regard the Wheels of Fire version as the gold standard, but this one is (even) more intense.
i am so sad jack is gone, but the wonderful music will live forever
I would have loved to see this show. Thanks for sharing...
RIP to the headphone listeners at 00:01
A little "Cat's Squirrel" at 10:55. Phenomenal band. One of a kind. All these guys were at the very peak of their awesome creative powers in 1967-1968. They don't make sufficient adjectives to describe this.
Rossco
Try agen took this lp to cocatoo is 1969. Myself and plumbersaw traffi appretice played it evey night.
Greatest guitar solo of all time lads
Not really...
@@t.j.payeur5331 in my opinion it is
@@LCNSilveri The twelve second solo on the original by Howlin' Wolf says so much more.
@@ab77blues no. It does not.
Jimi Hendrix Machine Gun is and 98% of everyone else will agree because it's original not a cover like this one is.
I think if you check it out Clapton was doing this before Hendrix hence Hendrix sound pretty england and post. Both great guitarists without any doubt but for me Clapton is number 1.
That's a bold statement .....but I see your point. Clapton admired Hendrix and Hendrix admired Eric.....
@@richardrybinski2320 Don't forget Terry Kath, check 25 or 6 to 4 song guitar solo from Chicago Transit Authority and You Will see also the incredible talent spreaded this amazing guitar player.
This use to be a big debate! It was finally settled after many years of debating with Jimi coming out on top. Of course some still say Eric was better. But if you don't know why Jimi gets the nod I can't explain it to ya.
@@richardrybinski2320 Two separate approaches to the ultimate goal of perfection.
Yeah neither is "better" theyre similar but different
And don't Forget, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, heros of the 60s
Check out the first band the played together in. ua-cam.com/video/c56a_Jd5aPI/v-deo.html
Left an indelible mark on me from first time
hearing when I was 16
years old. Lucky me
Sunshine of your love 16 listening in the schoolyard with my friends hooked
When Clapton truly WAS God! Thanks for this... excellent version!
Yes WAS is correct
He was God, until Jimi showed.
@@acepaul407 No, Clapton was even after that. I have never heard a single live take that Jimi played that ever came anywhere close to this recording alone.
@@Dagger_323 7 words; Machine Gun Fillmore East Band of Gypsies
@@jpkaneshida1977 Nope.
what tone and command from clapton.......great stuff.
Missed this one, but was up against the front of the stage in June, '68. Another great performance.
R.I.P great song. pieces of the 60's are disappearing too fast.
Only one left standing , Clapton!! Only two from the allmans, jamioe and Betts!! Two from The Who. Those of us lucky enough to have lived through this time simply had the best Rock music ever!!!!
When these three were on they were ON! Clapton couldn't help but play his ass off with that amazing rhythm section pushing him like a runaway train of bluesrock fusion! WHOA!!!!
This bring back memories....RIP Jack
Where on earth did you find this?? Truly amazing. Thanks so much for posting it on here. Truly at the top of their class. The older I get the better they sound. I was 21!! What a year.
Eric is playing with that song. Amazing. So many versions but this is the Eric version. Thank you so much.
yup
EC has been my favorite since high school---40 years. I wore out Wheels of Fire. Then Layla. This recording is 1967 for goodness sake. Live Spoonful showcases the sounds, the talent, you couldn't hear anywhere else.
Marshall stack, everything cranked to 10, no wonder Eric has tinnitus now, but what working musician doesn't? Anyhow, magnificent playing!
7:20 is really cool then after that melody he starts tearing it up like I never heard him tear it up before. Him improvising like that with an amazing rhythm section improvising under him is hard. Most people refuse to understand his role in Cream. It's the reason why people think he's overrated.
Spoonful... spunfool.... spunnnnnfool! Jack Bruce is the real god! RIP my friend!!
Led Zeppelin showed genius on the first album, but even then, the studio effects are what make the Led Zeppelin sound. People don't do barbershop quartets with themselves, as Plant does on countless LZ recordings. Same for Page.
Very good sounds from both groups, but Cream defines power trio, and in most ways, it defines psychedelic rock, blues rock, and hard rock.
Zeppelin sounded best on record, while they were mostly underwhelming live. Cream was the opposite; their studio recordings, while good, were nowhere near the live sound they produced. Cream on record was like a bird trapped in a cage. When they could stretch their wings and improvise at high volumes with a lot of overdrive and spontaneous ferocity for 10 or 15 minutes on stage, they truly came alive.
Imagine telling these guys at the time that you're a messenger from the future, and that one day, someone who will be listening to this exact performance will have it suddenly interrupted by an actor pretending to be the CEO of A&W talking about a burger that has no meat in it....
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All this from a song based on just 2 notes…phenomenal.
NOBODY played like this in 1967!!!!! NOBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to be fair, you could say that about Jimi, The Who, The Stones, and what people like The Beatles and Brian Wilson were doing in the studios. Everybody was doing something fresh, and unique amongst their peers, which is why 1965-68 are the golden age of rock music
+Zaq Kickasola (Da Shurif) You can't compare,the who, stones or the beatles or Brian Wilson. None of these bands truly featured lead guitarists. They must be judges on their own merit, not compared.
Totally missing the point, guys.
Why do you mean by "like This"? There s only one cream lol... Nobody played like velvet's sister ray in 1967!!! But yeah these guys were amazing live
Pedro Dias exactly
Dare I say, this matches, although maybe not surpasses, even the best of Jimi live. This is absolutely fucking explosive.
I know.Makes Hubert Sumlin (of Howlin` Wolf) sound like a simpleton.
I'd say this particular performance surpasses. Easily.
@@1994g0 blues is not about technique...it's about a feeling.
In that context...these guys sound like showoffs.
They were my favorite band of that era but Clapton is not my favorite guitarist.
Hendrix and Wes Montgomery....all day.
Much more interesting artists.
Whàt a truly incredible band they were......rest in peace jack....
RIP Jack Bruce...............certainly one of the greatest!
I can't believe 37 people gave this a thumbs down, they must have come to this page by mistake, probably looking for some rap music, when they heard real instruments being played by real musicians they gave it the thumbs down and went about their cappy music business
GINSEW976 They were looking for Vanilla Ice lol
Looking for cringy mumble rap!
People of shit
Best Cream iv'e heard,Jack & Ginger put Eric into an inspired frenzy.
The Autumn '67 US. Tour was their peak. Everyone should have The Grande Ballroom Boot!
I believe they played New Haven that year. I was their. Beyond Amazing!!! And before we knew it. Cream was having their farewell tour. I was only feet from Clapton. Pure Magic!
The other amazing thing about this music is the restrictions of the technology that was in its infancy in those days. I can still remember the time when the first FOUR-track recording studio was built in Melbourne (Aus)! It was a really big WOW deal!! Sound engineers have enormous sound desks now, with almost perfect reproduction, and with any kind of sound effect we can dream up! Compared to the 60s, we have better recording sound quality in our MacBooks! And still these guys wow us with their old recordings! It was raw talent!
Phenomenal playing by all three musicians, soloing simultaneously. It had only previously been done in jazz, and never in jazz-rock, by Scott La Faro and Paul Motion.
What a shame relentless touring killed the band, but in 67 they still sounded fresh.
EC is well and truly on here, and jack and Ginger laying trails that few rhythm sections in history surpassed.
Tim charles what killed the band was that Jack and Ginger hated each other with a passion.
They competed to set the rhythm of band. Neither of them were particularly likeable with Ginger’s son having very harsh words to say on his father’s death.
Ginger likewise repeated his loathing of Jack after their reunion concert, saying he would never play with the ‘....,’ again because he still hated him.
Of course Eric was well documented as being up to his eyeballs in drugs during and after his time with Cream.
For all that my first LP at 13 was Disraeli Gears and still listen to regularly at 65.
Being a good guy is not a requirement to be a top musician.
He was 22!! (Justin Bieber's age!!) Fucking crazy!!
+univibe23 Excellent point, univibe. He played like he was twice that age.
WOW to build a solo for that length of time is AMAZING thnx. great post.
Around 14:00 Clapton gets tired of caterwauling and starts listening to Bruce play. He then does something amazing, he begins to make music with him. It's a moment in the true sense of the word music. He can actually here them talking to each other.
+WilhelmScream at 7;20 too i think..checking in then checking out,,,,going off,,they are so in psynch tho/// inspiring each other i guess,,, cream of the crop alright,,,empowering music !!
+WilhelmScream -- dig this comment and made me listen to this with more intent -- Also must say Ginger is also killing it here esp during the summation of the jam at 16:00
@@billybobgeo o
What an incredible set of pipes Jack Bruce possessed!
Incredible set of fingers as well.
I know it's a cliche ,but...that was epic.
So many British musicians of this era loved to play Detroit - Savoy Brown even dedicated their "Savoy Brown Boogie" to the great people of Detroit. They know how to rock and appreciate great music.
The venue in Detroit was the Grande Ballroom. I saw Cream play there in October 1967, and this may well be the performance of Spoonful from that night.
The Grande was a place all unto itself. If you were never fortunate to go there, you missed the very heart of the 1960s. Most killer venue of all time. The musicians themselves said so.
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh...
@@JackOstinato I've met people from that era and ask them about it. They usually look down, shake their heads and give me that "you had to be there" smile. It was a venue that I wish I could've gone to. But I still had the Fillmore East and many east coast venues.
The cream always rises to the top
Thanks for the info.I did'nt know that.I've been a Cream freak since they came out.That's what started me playing bass in 1967.I'm still playing some Cream songs in my band.
Rip Ginger. I just wanted to hear those amazing jams again
Not heard this before..great stuff..they were a force to be reckoned with.
Imagine this is 1967, people were blown away
If there was anybody out there now capable of playing like this then they'd be doing it
Is there anyone , in rock , today,with the requisite 'vocabulary" ,that reaches THAT deeply into themselves ? A firm, NO.