Drummer reacts to "Tales of Brave Ulysses" & "We're Going Wrong" by Cream 

More Cream then give White Room a listen

Jack Bruce singing Theme for an Imaginary Western is spectacular.

I can only paraphrase an old Jack Bruce quote about Cream...it is something like "...Ginger Baker and I knew Cream was a jazz band, we just never told Eric (Clapton)."

They were a kick in the ass in the 60's, nobody ever heard stuff like this before.

Thank you for noticing what a great musician Ginger was. He didn't just keep time, he supported and picked up songs and shaped them. He was known for his solos but they were often grossly attenuated and too long by half. But as a jazz drummer turned "rock star" he was expected to play them. Ulysses was the Latin/Roman version of Odysseus of Homer's epic The Odyssey. Much of "Christianity" today derives from Greek mythology although they will never admit it

A Golden Turd goes to Rolling Stone for pushing this album off their Top 500.

"Tales..." was one of the few times Clapton featured a wah wah. Producer Felix Pappalardi also played viola on those long notes, and later became the bass player for the group Mountain. Ulysses was the Roman name for Odysseus. Ginger Baker's big solo feature with Cream was the live "Toad" on the Wheels of Fire album, which is over 16 min. The second song was a good example of what they called Clapton's "woman tone" (you turn the gain up, and the tone on the guitar down).

Try Those Were The Days - just for Bakers drum riffs and the song aint bad either.

White Room is fantastic.

Wanna hear more of Clapton and Baker? Check out the supergroup, Blind Faith, which also featured the musical genius of Steve Winwood on keyboards, guitar, and vocals... "Do What You Like" by Blind Faith has that primal feel that will take you out of body, into space...

For more Clapton listen to "Badge" or "Crossroads." Those are two Cream songs that became staples in his solo years. Also listen to "White Room", "Strange Brew", and "SWLABR" (She Was Like a Bearded Rainbow) based on a poem by Pete Brown.

In my opinion Clapton was never better than when he had teamed up with these two musical Genius's Jack Bruce especially!!... What a fantastic musician he was!!...

Gingers technique on this is superb. He's using concert mallets but it's his ability to build up the volume and tension that's masterful. They were a complete other animal when they played live. Many people talk about Crossroads from Wheels of Fire but I think some of their best live examples are "I'm So Glad " which is off the hook plus " Politician" and " Sitting on Top of the World" from the Goodbye LP. By the way a guy I know saw them in 1968 in NYC. They were on a revolving stage and each time it turned in his direction the volume was like a jet turbine blast. He also saw the crew anchoring Ginger's double bass drums to the stage floor with large nails. You should check out his eye popping drum set up.

Ginger Baker's Pressed Rat and Warthog!

Clapton put music to Martin Sharp's tone poem. Eric said he was inspired by Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City." You can hear the resemblance pretty clearly. (BTW, Sharp said he was thinking of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" when he wrote the lyrics)

I believe Ginger Baker was the featured "vocalist" on one song, "Pressed Rat and Warthog". I can think of two Cream songs that were lyrically minimalist but beautiful, "I'm so Glad", and "I Feel Free".

We're Going Wrong is maybe my favorite Cream song ever. Jack's vocals just really sell it! I was 16-17 yrs old when I first heard this. About a relationship going bad, I had the same painful stuff in my life at that time. Good/bad memories.

I bought this album when it came out in 1967 I think. Still stands up. Yes, the magnificent Ginger Baker. H e was a genius.

The crazy thing about cream is three albums in 18 months that's one of the reasons why they're in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame I just listened to that 1967

Gingers drumming on We're going wrong is fabulous, I bought this album in 67 and haven't heard it in years ( I can't believe it's 57 years old ) great stuff.

This is gonna be good, great choices,

I was in high school when this came out. Love this band and this is one of my favorite songs along with "What a Bringdown"

Tales od Brave Ulysses is soooo good. Nothing like it before. Nothing like it since. My fave on this album.

"White Room" is an absolute must. "Badge" is a more Claptonesque Cream song. :-)

One of the greatest bands ever .

Baker lived in Nigeria for a while and in South Africa for a clutch of years. He had a band called Salt (Nigerian crossover band) and Airforce with members of Traffic and two female vocalists

Ginger Baker was an awesome jazz drummer called a rock drummer. He was also a hilariously scary bastard lol.

Clapton and Baker were being driven somewhere and Ginger was expressing his desire to buy a racing bike, and their driver, one of the lads, piped up, "Y'mean with those Disraeli Gears(after turn of the century British PM, Benjamin Disraeli, and derailleur gears, q.v.)". They cracked up and figured it'd make a perfect album title. I prefer 'White Room' as a song, and performance-wise too. Still, it remains that this too is Cream, ffs! There's a killer solo piano performance by Jack of 'We're Going Wrong' made years later for the Classic Albums DVD for 'Disraeli Gears'. He laments that it's not a piano piece, then proceeds to slay you where you stand, sit, live. The song was reportedly the knockout finale for all the reunion shows at Royal Albert Hall. Again, have a look and listen. Enjoy!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tsMLWPD2No0.htmlsi=tTRLqnbz1mWliOEB Also: 'Doing That Scrapyard Thing', 'Crossroads'(live), or is it 'Spoonful', 'Badge(w. George Harrison) from 'Goodbye Cream'. 👋🏼 There's worse ways to go out. 😮😢waddaya mean they broke up?! Blind Faith indeed. 😊❤ Additional Cream: 'Deserted Cities of the Heart', 'World of Pain', written by producer and later Mountain bassist Felix Pappalardi and his Mrs., also his killer. More? 'I Feel Free', 'I'm So Glad', 'Anyone for Tennis', and 'Mother's Lament'.

Lee: For years I only listened to their studio work. Which just kept improving, by the way. But about 6 years ago, I heard the live version of "Spoonful", heard the whole trio going off, almost trying to lose each other. And my jaw dropped. They were, nay, ARE, amazing live.

Ulysses is the Latinized name of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. So, the Greeks called him Odysseus while the Romans called him Ulysses.

From what I remember, Ginger Baker was a jazz drummer at heart and hated being associated/compared with rock-orientated drummers. I think that's why he sounds so unique on his recordings, and elevates Cream's music output. :-)

Excellent reaction for 2 Classic Cream tracks. Benjamin Disreali was Prime Minister of England in 19th century. I believe 1st Jewish PM. Another outstanding track, my fave, on the LP is SWLABR really She Was Like a Bearded Rainbow. Flip side on single/45 "Sunshine of Your Love". Usually played both sides and argue which was better. Still have the single.

Mitch Mitchell of the Jimmy Hendrix Experience is another top drummer of the same period.

The lyricist of Tales of Brave Ulysses, Martin Sharp, was also responsible for the FANTASTIC cover art, and likewise for Wheels of Fire. The live Crossroads has been recommended, and l ( along with everyone else, no doubt ) would heartily second that. But beware! There’s a version out there with footage tacked on from their farewell concert from almost a year later. Best, IMO, to “see” it with your ears. Cheers!

I'm so Glad

Outside Woman Blues " I'm gonna buy me a bulldog watch my woman while I sleep" live or studio. The blues cuts by Cream are other worldly.

Hell yah!! This is the music of my freshman year in high school!! I became a "garage band" bass guitar player during that time because I could figure out my part "by ear" which my mother-jazz-pianist taught me.

Ginger Baker? He recorded a drum solo (several times). It’s called Toad. Even played it impressively in ‘95 at Royal Albert Hall. Best is clearly the live one on Wheels of Fire. I played drums. Started lessons in 1967. I still love drummers. ✌️ “… I know I am.”

If my information is correct "Tales of Brave Ulysses" was the first recorded song ever that used a Wah-wah. And "We're Going Wrong" was the one that made me a Cream fan. I mean the whole album was something unheard before but this song was special and still is. A song so calm with so nervous drums - what a contrast that works so well.

IIf you look at the records released in 1967, it's probably the best year in history for new recorded music. I got my first job, that summer - a paper route. With my first paycheck, I rode my bike to the A&P Grocery, (which had the best record rack in town) and bought 4 albums: Disraeli Gears - Cream Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix Experience Days of Future Passed - Moody Blues Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles That was just my first haul. If you look at the list of other albums released in 1967, (some of which I bought) it is staggering: The Velvet Underground & Nico, Axis Bold as Love, The Doors, Surrealistic Pillow, Strange Days, Songs of Leonard Cohen, Easter Everywhere, After Bathing at Baxters, Their Satanic Majesties Request, Absolutely Free, Mr. Fantasy, The Sound of Wilson Pickett, Aretha Arrives, etc. Incredible.

I wore this cassette tape out twice and the DVD as well. My mom had the album, now I watch people react to it on RU-vid.❤😂

Ginger Baker is one of the finest drummers ever. So free and crisp.

Cream put the Psycho in Psychedelic!

Back in their day of glory and mine. My dream concert that never happened was Cream and The Doors. I never got to see either band as I was too young before Cream disbanded and Jim Morrison passed. I have however seen Eric three times. Try Anyone for Tennis, really different. Kinda like a See Emily Play tune.

The first two CD’s I bought when they came out were Disraeli Gears and Sgt Pepper.

Ginger Baker was Extroidinary. I watched him throw a large chunk of his audience out because they kept wanting old Cream songs . He had like 30 percussionists from around the world. It was a fantastic show ! Music like I’d never heard .Wow

Check out crossroads live . Robert Johnson would be proud .

My older brought these albums, and many more, home from Thailand and the Air Force. He opened a whole new world of music to me.

That wah wah on Claptons guitar are sublime.

I can’t remember how joints I’ve rolled on the cover of this album. Very happy days !!!

"White Room" for sure! (From "Wheels Of Fire" -- you also MUST listen to "Spoonful" LIVE which is on the same album. Cream LIVE will totally amaze you.....

If you look-up Psychedelic Blues Rock, it reads See Tales of Brave Ulysses!

One of my first albums was this one and I wore it out back in the late sixties. I get nostalgic about my high school days when I hear music from then.

'Spoonful' from 'Wheels of Fire'. A gem from Baker

Benjamin Disraeli was the British Prime Minister back in the day, and a point of some disillusion for many of England's residents. BTW, you can NEVER go wrong with CREAM.

The lyrics to Tales of Brave Ulysses were written by the same dude who designed the album cover. And Eric Clapton had just discovered the wah pedal when they went to New York City to produce this album for Atlantic.

Keep in mind that these songs were recorded in the days of 4 track tape machines. They still sound amazing even thought he technology was limited.

Hello L33! I always liked Cream…from the beginning… and I loved them more performing Live… As from Live Cream 1 and 2 … with perfect jams included in their featured known popular selections! Clapton was God then!

Introduced the world to the wah wah pedal and hard rock.

"and tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers and you want to take her with you to the heartland of the winter" What a song but, sheesh, keep in touch with yourselves, guys! 'We're going wrong' never worked for me

Someone passed these lyrics to Jack Bruce at a party, and so the song was born, astonishing track! We're going wrong, is not so profound and is not about the world collapsing, Bruce had a row with his girlfriend and went for a walk and this song came to him

Odysseus and Ulysses are the same person. One is the Roman name and one is the Greek name. I'm glad you are liking Ginger Baker. I saw him numerous times. I saw most of the great bands and incredible drummers back in the day. I'm privileged to have seen Keith Moon, Bill Bruford, Clive Bunker, Aynsley Dunbar, and many other greats. But somehow, Ginger was on his own planet, a high speed freight train with power to spare. Loved your reaction.

That's a great song choice. You don't hear lyrics and playing like that anymore. Ginger Baker always had a unique way of playing and pushing the sound of the songs. But he was a madman.

To hear how Cream cover a song to make it their own, check out their cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Spoonful" (written by Willie Dixon) from their 1966 debut album FRESH CREAM.

We're Going Wrong is the best track on this album. It's a bit more jazz based. Very beautiful, very moving. Check out the Wheels of Fire double album. 1 LP is studio tracks and the other LP is live tracks. As a drummer you should listen to as much of the live tracks as you can. Baker is top quality. He started out as a jazz drummer. He does some spectacular drumming on the live tracks on Wheels of Fire and Live Cream. To hear him creating a train crossing tracks and hitting points is unbelievable on the live version of Traintime, backing Bruce's harmonica. Then listen to him drumming behind Clapton's scrambling guitar on their version of the Howling Wolf song. Rollin' and Tumblin', from live Cream. He recreates that train on the tracks sound and rhythm but in a different time signature.

Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, (1804 - 1881) was a British statesman, Conservative politician and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Disraeli is remembered for his influential voice in world affairs, his political battles with the Liberal Party leader William Ewart Gladstone, and his one-nation conservatism or "Tory democracy". He is the only British Prime Minister to have been born Jewish.

Yes! And I had the absolute pleasure of seeing this live at the colosseum in Chicago in 1968 on their farewell tour. The finest and first 3 piece supergroup. 2nd track is a superb display of Clapton's " woman sound "👍👍👍👍👍

This both Songs were even better when Cream Was performing them live. Needless to say that was nearly ever the case with their other Songs.😀

Passing the time ...there is a song you need to hear

Eric Clapton is a beast

Odysseus was the original Greek name of the hero, and Ulysses was the Latinized version.

What a wonderful voice.

My favorite by Cream.

Ginger indeed takes no prisoners

Haven't heard this in decades.

Crossroads live by cream.

the first vinyl album I ever bought in 1967 at Sav-on drug store with my own money and also got a 5 cent ice cream cone while leaving...thx for the memory ;)

Ginger and Jack both came from a jazz background.

Great Album. This is Clapton at his Peak.

Blind Faith’s live version in 1969 of “Sleeping in the Ground” is dark, but great as well.

The first album I ever bought with my own cash.

Cream were a great vibe in the 60s, their other great songs are…….I Feel Free, Badge and Sunshine Of Your Love. All worth a listen.

IF you get a chance, look up ginger bakers air force, a band he was in after cream. I think he has some drum tutorials from 15 or 20 years ago too. He was incredible. Ginger and Mitch Mitchell are my favorite 60s rock drummers, it's the jazz element I love. Fun playing with drummers like that too.

Benjamin Disraeli was a 19th century British prime minister, so it's not all that different from calling your band Jefferson Airplane.

Great, innovative and psychedelic hard rock from the gold standard of their era, Eric Clapton creating leads that embellished his reputation as a legend who had Jimi Hendrix as the other incredible guitarist on the exploding music scene. Great stuff, do the whole album for sure, killer album of it time and yet timeless. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎸🎶

Hopefully you will dive into the Wheels of Fire album, especially the live tracks.

I liked their reunion, better than the original.

Great pick!

You come in looking like you never ever done one wrong thing. But the picture has a mustache!

I was into mythology in Elementary School also, read Hamilton. I grew up to be a counterculture person and a Pagan, ha!

I recommend Eric Clapton - Double Trouble Live from Just One Night

For some insane Ginger Baker (fitting, cuz that dude was nuts), try the song "Toad."

Ulysses and Odysseus are the same person! One is the Greek version and one is the Roman (Latin).

To really hear Clapton (and Jack and Ginger) play, try listening to some of their live stuff. Peace

You gotta hear "White Room."

Jack Bruce's solo catalog includes some fantastic jazz fusion. Anything from his time in The Tony Williams Lifetime is a great choice.

If you loved cream, You need to also get into blind faith. They were a group that composed of both ginger Baker and Eric Clapton, along with Steve Winwood from Traffic.

I hope you will do the band's version of "Crossroads" from their 1968 album.

You might try their first song, "I Feel Free."

People don't realise Jack Bruce was a classicly trained singer as well as brilliant bass player