How strange is this following sentence going to sound. . . . .you know what, I don't really care! Disraeli Gears reads like a Cream Greatest Hits - except it's better! Eric Clapton has been involved in some amazing projects over the last forty-five or so years, but this one (bar maybe his solo Unplugged) is the defining moment of his career. It charted Cream's progression into a psychedelic avenue of swirling Rock, and spawned two classic singles - Strange Brew and Sunshine Of Your Love - both Clapton masterpieces that have never faded in terms of popularity and influence. Strange Brew, the album's opening track, is a brilliant, groovy Rock song built upon Jack Bruce's superb, cementing bass line. Clapton's guitar work is, quite simply, very special. Quite obviously drug induced, the lyrics are dreamy and ambiguous, yet clearly definable by the sordid background we already know of Cream, and particularly Clapton, whose drug problems nearly killed him. Sunshine Of Your Love is another song that provides a soundtrack to a jilted generation; a genius riff ably supported by stunning drum sequences from Ginger Baker, and an awesome duel vocal by Bruce and Clapton. World Of Pain is psychedelic through and through; a stoned reflection of one's view from a window: "Outside my window is a tree/They're only forming/And it stands in the grey of the city/No time for pity for the tree or me." Clapton's Beach Boys style, wah wah guitar lifts the song sky high.
Dance The Night Away continues the psychedelic feel, boasting a fantastic vocal from Jack Bruce, Tales Of Brave Ulysses is an amazing, ethereal, surging track of immense fortitude, featuring a mesmeric spoken vocal from Bruce, whereas Blue Condition is a total change in direction; Ginger Baker singing in his monotone Cockney style to a light hearted melody, echoing the Small Faces somewhat. Swlabr features more stunning guitar playing from Eric Clapton, We're Going Wrong is a powerful ballad in which Baker takes flight with his fearless drumming, and Outside Woman Blues, one of Clapton's finest and most underrated arrangements, is a booming quick-Blues. Take It Back is a rolling and tumbling, harmonica driven number with a melody reminiscent of late Beatles material. The album's closing track, Mother's Lament, is another comic-cockney ditty led by Ginger Baker - an odd ending to a storming Rock record, but endearing all the same.
Cream reformed in 2005 to play five sell-out nights at The Royal Albert Hall, London, for one last time. Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce did not look like well men. In fact, they both looked like luke-warm corpses. Clapton, quite ironically considering his terrible vices in the 60's and 70's, looked in great health. Regardless of their physical conditions, Cream as a cohesive unit were still absolutely untouchable - a marvellous reunion which will live long in the memory. Much of Disraeli Gears was returned to during this farewell residency, and why not. Music like this should never fade into obscurity - and believe me, it wont.
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