When this song was released as a single in 1969, I was only 10 years old & not that much into music of any kind yet. It's still one of the best blues rock songs that I know of, so I'm at 9.0. P.S. This song was originally recorded by the blues musician Robert Johnson in the 1930s. According to legend, he went to the crossroads and made a deal with the Devil, giving up his soul in exchange for the ability to play the blues. To be precise, Cream's version is actually a compilation of parts of two Johnson songs: "Crossroads Blues" and "Traveling Riverside Blues", and as far as I know, there is no studio version of this song by Cream.
There was a version recorded by the Powerhouse, which was a group consisting of Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Jack Bruce, Peter York, and Ben Palmer that recorded 4 songs in 1966. It was also recorded by Cream on the BBC sessions. This version is very different from the Wheels of Fire version, which is unique in that this is the only version where Baker emphasized the 4th beat with his high hat. That completely changed the song, and very much for the better, as you will see if you listen to any other versions. This version of Crossroads is far and away superior to every other version ever recorded. Clapton got out ahead of the song, which I think helped it significantly, but you can hear Baker reel him back in with eight strong beats at 2:24 in this version. This was just a tour de force on all fronts. And by the way, this was released in August of 1968, not in 1969.
Best 60s band. One can only imagine what coulda been if they hadnt broken up after a couple short years. Jack Bruce is such an underrated singer. I was reading that this song is actually a cover/combination of a couple old blues songs.
Jack Bruces bass is crushingly good in this song. The first couple of time's you hear it you notice Clapton's great guitar tone and playing. But after some more listening you really notice Jacks fluent playing. Baker is as always laying down a good rytm.
The second instrumental is to me the 'best' guitar instrumental of all time. Best. Have you hear Alvin Lee's 'the Bluest Blues'? Another great Rock Blues song featuring George Harrison doing the first instrumental then Alvin taking it out.
Considered a "super group". Clapton, Bruce, Baker.... unreal. My son is a little older than you guys, is a guitar player and loves the classics. It's not just me, but Rick Beato did a stream about it. Aging boomers just don't like new music. Myth. 70% of record sales are for compilations and boxed sets of classic rock. On VINYL. Even Wall Street is betting against it, by buying the publishing rights from Warner, etc. Music should be a transcendent experience and this stuff is.
I wonder if any of these cameramen/women? look at these horrific pictures & wonder; what the hell was I thinking? Epic, seminal guitar solo & mostly we see faces & the bass....this could be a historic musical document & it's just a bad mtv video.
Very good. Just came across you guys. If you want to hear Cream, you need to hear them live. Try “Sitting on Top of the World” from the Goodbye album. Just a thought. ✌️
One of the greatest live performances ever. You guys look underwhelmed. 😂
We liked the song, but we don't do big reactions.
Ginger also passed away, Oct.6th, 2019...He was a great drummer, and as crazy as he was great..R.I.P.
And what people often forget, this bass line was not written, but improvised!
Jack Bruce is off the fuckin radar incredible bass player Scotland is extremely proud
When this song was released as a single in 1969, I was only 10 years old & not that much into music of any kind yet. It's still one of the best blues rock songs that I know of, so I'm at 9.0.
P.S. This song was originally recorded by the blues musician Robert Johnson in the 1930s. According to legend, he went to the crossroads and made a deal with the Devil, giving up his soul in exchange for the ability to play the blues. To be precise, Cream's version is actually a compilation of parts of two Johnson songs: "Crossroads Blues" and "Traveling Riverside Blues", and as far as I know, there is no studio version of this song by Cream.
Thank you for the info!
There was a version recorded by the Powerhouse, which was a group consisting of Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Jack Bruce, Peter York, and Ben Palmer that recorded 4 songs in 1966. It was also recorded by Cream on the BBC sessions. This version is very different from the Wheels of Fire version, which is unique in that this is the only version where Baker emphasized the 4th beat with his high hat. That completely changed the song, and very much for the better, as you will see if you listen to any other versions. This version of Crossroads is far and away superior to every other version ever recorded. Clapton got out ahead of the song, which I think helped it significantly, but you can hear Baker reel him back in with eight strong beats at 2:24 in this version. This was just a tour de force on all fronts. And by the way, this was released in August of 1968, not in 1969.
@@terencedoherty3049 The album version was released in 1968 on "Wheels of Fire", but like I said, the SINGLE was released in 1969.
Best 60s band. One can only imagine what coulda been if they hadnt broken up after a couple short years. Jack Bruce is such an underrated singer. I was reading that this song is actually a cover/combination of a couple old blues songs.
Another viewer had mentioned that too I didn't know that. -Amber
It's a combination of "Crossroads" and "Travelin' Riverside Blues".
Jack Bruces bass is crushingly good in this song. The first couple of time's you hear it you notice Clapton's great guitar tone and playing. But after some more listening you really notice Jacks fluent playing. Baker is as always laying down a good rytm.
Manic Monday White Room, for this more than fifty years old song I'll go an 8,4.
"Sunshine of your Love" and "White Room" are two of their popular songs.
We will add those to our list!
They were one of the first supergroups, and a power trio.
R.i.p. Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.
The video is from the farewell concert in London and NOT the live you are hearing!
Thank you for letting us know!
The second instrumental is to me the 'best' guitar instrumental of all time. Best. Have you hear Alvin Lee's 'the Bluest Blues'? Another great Rock Blues song featuring George Harrison doing the first instrumental then Alvin taking it out.
No, I haven't, but I will add it to our list! -Charisse
back in the day when cameramen focused on the guitarist's face.
Considered a "super group". Clapton, Bruce, Baker.... unreal.
My son is a little older than you guys, is a guitar player and loves the classics.
It's not just me, but Rick Beato did a stream about it. Aging boomers just don't like new music.
Myth. 70% of record sales are for compilations and boxed sets of classic rock. On VINYL.
Even Wall Street is betting against it, by buying the publishing rights from Warner, etc.
Music should be a transcendent experience and this stuff is.
I wonder if any of these cameramen/women? look at these horrific pictures & wonder; what the hell was I thinking? Epic, seminal guitar solo & mostly we see faces & the bass....this could be a historic musical document & it's just a bad mtv video.
Very good. Just came across you guys.
If you want to hear Cream, you need to hear them live. Try “Sitting on Top of the World” from the Goodbye album. Just a thought.
✌️
We will add it to our list!
This is live.
@@philipleaning9355 yeah.
This is the Cream at it’s best
Great band. I remember listening to them in my teens 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I'll go an 8.75 for the memories 👍🏻👍🏻
The girls no nothing about music 8.6 !!!!
We know what we like. What you like can be different than us and that's fine! That's why there are so many different bands
THIS IS SO Sad. NOT CREAM of course, but the sad sad reactors. Just sad.