Tale Of Brave Ulysses - Cream | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

Jack Bruce was more than just the third guy. Great bass player, vocalist and wrote or co-wrote most of their biggest hits. Strange Brew is a great place to go next.

Can we just pause and remember what a great singer Jack Bruce was.

"I Feel Free" would be a great next selection from Cream.

There is a reason they were called Cream. Cream rises to the top. Love this band for their fantastic musicianship. I have played drums for 50+ years and Ginger Baker was my inspiration. He is a beast. RIP Ginger. Thanks for the reaction . Stay safe.

The mythology of this song is sizable and knowing your Greek myth (including The Odyssey) helps appreciates this.

"Born Under a Bad Sign" gives you the rock version of the blues classic with Ginger Baker adding the dirtiest funkiest kick drum you ever heard.

This whole album was intense psychedelic blooze. Not a weak song on the entire album.

Now some Blind Faith, the band Clapton went to after Cream, with Steve Winwood. High quality

There’s a fascinating ginger baker documentary. They interview other drummers about him including Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, and Lars Urich. And much more with Ginger himself. He was a force of nature. . The title of the Doc is appropriately Beware of Mr. Baker.

God rest Jack Bruce too. What a bass line. And Baker was always good! Eric being a Siren. Just such a band.

My first choice for next Cream song would be "I Feel Free", which is earlier than any other Cream that you have heard. However, if Andy wants to do "Strange Brew" as a music share, that's fine too. Since you've already done 5 Cream songs, I wouldn't be in a hurry to return to them, but I would return to them at some point.

It's hard to communicate how extraordinary this sounded when it came out, in 1967. My friends listened to the Monkees. My brother brought this album home from college, and we listened to it like 10 times in a row. The sound was totally new-way ahead of anyone else. For about two weeks. And then the next thing came out. Hendrix, if I recall.

"Strange Brew" next! "I Feel Free" after. "Let It Rain" by Clapton from his first full solo album (1970) is guitar heaven; his best solo track. Album also contains Clapton staples like "Blues Power", "Bottle of Red Wine" and "After Midnight".

One the best loved tunes of the times for me - and Strange Brew would absolutely a great place to go. Always great to see you guys appreciate masters of the early days. Rock on!

This is one of the albums that my uncles left behind, at my grandparents, for me to find later, it was very formative to my music tastes.

I don’t think you’ve reviewed yet, but “Badge” written by Clapton and George Harrison.

Only Jack Bruce's vocals could stand up to Baker, Clapton and Bruce, IMO.

"Strange Brew" is definitely a must hit, a natural next song from them.

Jack Bruce is one of the most criminally underrated Bassists in history and I'll die on that hill. And not to mention the control he had over his voice. His tone and intonation are very singular to him.

One element that grabbed my attention was the way that Clapton was shredding certain lines at such staccato fashion that the wah actually seemed to slow the line down.

This one is a real gem. Never got the airplay as much as some of their other songs but this one is my favorite by them.

Jack Bruce cowrote White Room, Sunshine of Your Love, I Feel Free, Tales of Brave Ulysses . . . he was the main singer and songwriter of Cream. He had a superb voice. But most important, many consider him to be one of the greatest bass players of all time. Rolling Stone magazine rated him #8 of the top ten best bassists of all time. West, Bruce and Lang (his group with Leslie West and Corkie Lang from Mountain) and his work with John McLaughlin is some of my favorite music, but during the following decades he did so much with so many I couldn’t even begin to write it out. So many collaborations through this long career with the best musicians! And of course his simultaneous solo career. Check out his Wikipedia page for a chronological history. It’s overwhelming and astonishing.

The lyrics were written by Martin Sharp, an artist, who also designed the cover of the Disraeli Gears album. He met Eric Clapton by chance (because he was dating a girl Clapton had once dated), and scribbled the lyrics down on a napkin.

Ginger Baker was a beast and may he rest in peace

For a band that was only together a little shy of 3 years and who only put out 4 studio albums, including the first platinum selling double album in Wheels of Fire, Cream left an indelible legacy on rock n roll. You guys should check out Cream's live performance of Crossroads.

Excellent way to kick off the week! I honestly expected a red button reaction to this one. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Next Cream: “I Feel Free”

The Cream song We're Going Wrong has an excellent vocal performance by Jack Bruce. A low slow burner of a tune.

Cream was not only the 1st “supergroup/power trio”they also laid the foundation for what would become heavy metal….amazing band 🖤🤤even today they still sound good 🕺🏼🎉🖤what happened to bands like this? Bands with balls 🤘🏻

Such a great album cover. My dad had it, and I used to stare at it before I knew what "trippy" meant. Another great song on Disraeli Gears is SWLABR (she walks like a bearded rainbow). I wish I had some of what their mate had when he thought up that image.

I vote for Swlabr next from Cream, largely because it gets too little love coming with that kind of title. It's a groovy banger.

"Tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers ". Well, you can't get more psychedelic than that...

What a time it was when this was new. I was in junior high school in Southern California. We put the album on the turn table and didn’t lift the needle until the side was over. So much more to that time, but this had great influence on my musical journey

Hidden gem on this album is "SWLABR" (nonsense lyric - she was like a bearded rainbow) - great banger!

One of their best tracks. Bookend to white room. This is my favorite Clapton period. Bruce and Baker really pushed him. Jack Bruce was an amazing bass player and writer. All of them firing on all 8 cylinders. There is a great live promo recorded at a theater. You can find it once in a while.

Hard to believe how damn different this was from most of what was happening, musically and culturally, in 67! Ginger's crashing drum and cymbal rolls in "Tales" have always been some of my favorites! Root rhythm very similar in "White Room", you can definitely get the vibe. Clapton and Hendrix were definitely pioneering the Wah Wah sound! The Cream catalog is so small, and so damn important, that you should just do it all!

"Strange Brew" for sure, but also "I Feel Free,""Swlabr," and "Outside Woman Blues." Also, "As You Said" is a very trippy, psychedelic tune ... very underrated!

First time I heard this song I was in the best condition to be in when one first hears this song. 1986

Jack Bruce is a legend. Watch him live doing Politician at the farewell concert. Nobody approached the bass the way he did. RIP Jack and Ginger

“And you see a girl’s browned body, dancing through the turquoise, and her footprints make you follow where the sky loves the sea, and when your fingers find her she drowns you in her body carving deep blue ripples in the tissues of your mind” every time my friend

The original wah-wah pedal was the Vox Clyde McCoy Wah-Wah Pedal. Clyde McCoy was a trumpeter whose signature sound was made by using a rubber (toilet plunger) mute to "talk" with the trumpet. The wah-wah pedal was designed to allow that "talking" effect on guitar (or organ). Another trumpeter who used the plunger mute technique was James "Bubber" Miley. His signature "talking trumpet" song was East St. Louis Toodle-Oo (Duke Ellington Orchestra, featuring Bubber Miley), which was covered by Steely Dan, featuring Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on wah-wah guitar.

Contains one of the greatest psychedelic lines of all time imho: "Tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers"

The original power trio. These guys were so inspiring to so many musicians, myself included.🤘🏻🔥👍🎧

Back in the day, young women tended to prefer The Beatles, while guys were more into the Rolling Stones and Cream. I love the fact that Cream's musical virtuosity has a harder edge to it.

“Sitting on top of the World”…Clapton just commands the room. Pow!

I love the song Badge. The pause near the middle, then the guitar “siren” is my favorite part.

Ginger Baker was one of the originals drummers,using two bass pedals,creating a driving beat.He was the best.

“Steppin Out” from Live Cream Volume 2 Next. Eddie van Halen stated when he was young practicing guitar that “Steppin Out “was all he needed to learn all blues licks from the master Clapton .

Disraeli Gears is my favourite album. Untouchable.

" I Feel Free" "SWLABR" "I'm So Glad" then "Strange Brew" . And you also must do "After Midnight" by Eric Clapton, my favorite from his solo career along with his version of "I Shot the Sheriff". Cheers!

“Jack Bruce? Oh yeah, he sings too.” lol

When I was in high school, one of my English teachers played us this song with a handout of the lyrics as part of a unit on Mythology. SWLABR would be cool to hear next.

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!! ☮️❤️♾️

They had that one of a kind chemistry that you can't begin to explain...

I’m fine with “Breakdown” winning the most recent community poll. It’s a great song. But PLEASE find the time to review “Never Been to Spain.” Just a terrific song!!

A great modern day version of this type of sound is an Australian band, Tame Impala. They're 1st album falls into this category of rock. The 1st LP has a stellar guitar tone and fuzziness. Definitely worth a listen.

I loved the jazz timing employed by Ginger baker on drums. Jack Bruce was a master bassist, in reality very good guitarist in his own right, playing bass. Jack Bruce was a beast, a singer, song-writer, and amazing bassist. EC one of the truly great Rock-Blues guitarists, and Ginger one of the top rock drummers of all time, who was really a jazz drummer

My Dad is NEVER wrong when it comes to music.. 💯 And this on his 'Mt. Rushmore' of songs! (The others are "Nights in White Satin", "The Load", and "Like a Rolling Stone")

Yes, wonderful lyrics, great song....just not QUITE as great as White Room...you guys nailed it. Ginger Baker was my hero...saw Cream at age 15 in 1968 and they blew me away, especially Ginger, and I wanted to be a drummer from that day on. Oh well...being a girl, I wasn't exactly encouraged. 6 years ago my Mom was 92 and said, out of the blue one day, "We should have gotten you a drum set." Knocked me out. Didn't even know she knew I was a closet drummer. So sweet to hear that a couple months before she passed.

Original recording of Layla by Derrick and the Dominoes. Duane Allman on 2nd lead guitar with Erick Clapton. A standout hit in 1972.

One Of My Favorite 3 Piece Rock Bands Of All Time 10 / 21 / 21

Impottant to mention: this is one of a few rare exception in Cream's catalog, since bassist Jack Bruce (who usually sang lead) sings on a song not written/co-written by him. Eric Clapton co-wrote this song. So what happened was that E.C met a friend of his girlfriend at that time, Martin Sharp. Sharp lived in the same building as Eric and told him he'd written a poem. Then, the guitarist said he was working on new music inspired by "Summer in the City". The poet than decided to hand Eric the poem. It took for the latter about an hour in the studio to work up a rough melody (chords were already written by him prior to the meeting) and arrangement. only 2 WEEKS passed and finally, Martin got to hear his song with Eric as the B-side of "Strange Brew". The 2 also collaborated on Cream's "Anyone For Tennis", with lyrics by Martin and chords + melody by Eric. Although Clapton can sing it well, Jack definitely had a more fitting voice for this song.

I REALLY love Ginger Baker’s drums in this one. That is the “crashing waves”you mentioned.

underrated masterpiece. I've always thought that it sounds super ahead of it's time

I saw Cream live at Eagles Auditorium in Seattle. Then many years later saw Jack playing bass in one of Ringo Stars' All Stars bands, with Peter Frampton, Gary Booker. and another drummer who for the life of me I can't remember. I had relatively low expectations but was there mainly for Jack and and Gary Booker (Procol Harum songs Whiter Shade of Pale, Salty Dog, and Conquistador). After doing a Ringo song, they went through the other artists' repertoires. When they came to Jack, all of the musicians sang acapella the beginning of I Feel Free. The audience IMMEDIATELY JUMPED UP. Bruce's voice was so powerful he almost didn’t need the PA system. I think everyone was waiting to see if Frampton could rip the guitar solo like Clapton. HE JUST BLASTED AWAY - amazing, like there was nothing to it. Those who didn't know or recall his days with Humble Pie were shocked. And, every Cream song they did that night took both Ringo and the other drummer (Simon Kirk - spelling? maybe) to play Ginger Baker's parts as hard as they could - both were jumping up and down. When Frampton's songs started rotating through, he announced that he never had imagined having a band behind him that included Ringo, Gary Booker, and especially, JACK BRUCE. Finally, I was stunned how they did Conquistador live - one of the absolute best shows I have ever seen. This was not meant as a plug for Ringo's All Stars tours, but Ringo sure knows how to assemble impressive lineups. See one of his shows before it is too late.

One of the songs that made me a life long Cream fan

Other great Cream songs: Deserted Cities of the Heart; Crossroads; Those Were the Days; I Feel Free; NSU; and from their last live album, Stormy Monday.

I've seen Ginger perform live '75. Seen Eric perform live '78. Heard THIS SONG LIVE (by a local band '72). All in peices & ahain't seen JACK! no joke.

An LSD trip set to music, love it. I started college in 1981, lived with my dad and stepmother as they were right across form the campus, and she shared her 60s/early 70s records with me, including Cream and Blind Faith. As well-known as this song is, it probably would just squeak into my Top 10 Cream songs, however.

the LIVE version was even better!

Strange Brew is a must! I would also suggest these - Badge, Four Until Late, Swlabr, Outside Woman Blues and Mother's Lament.

The gentleman that did the cover art for the Disraeli Gears album also provided the lyrics for this classic!

Thanks for letting me share that groove boys. I needed that.

Strange Brew would definitely be a great tune to react to next.

This was the favorite album of classically trained pianist and former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

Have to do SWALBR I mean just just for the title even (She Walks Like a Bearded Rainbow) plus its an amazing Cream song

I don't think you've done any Donovan before. Try "Season Of The Witch".

Clapton derived the main riff of this off of "Summer in the City." He mentioned how big a song it was at the time, on a documentary of the making of Disraeli Gears. So, every time I hear it now, I can pick up that song too!

Great song by the first super group. Do Swlabr.

My brother has done quite well for himself and fishes all over the globe wherever and whenever he wants. This is his fishing jam

One of the greatest album covers of all time!

Tales of Brave Ulysses is A+++. My only criticism is how short it is. There's another minute easily in the song. Easily. Rush would turn it into the side of an album. And you would listen to every second. Now I see why the band broke up. But even as it is, correcting myself, it's so short it makes me want to wind it up and hear it more often. RIP Ginger and Jack.

The live version is both longer and better in every way. Live Cream Volume II. The same is true on the live version of Sunshine of Your Love, same album.

Keep it going with the sixties! ✌🤩✌

Producer: "So how much wah are you planning on putting in this song Eric?" Eric Clapton: "Yes"

Check out “Born Under of a Bad Sign”, another example of Jack Bruce’s great vocals and bass playing.

I love how the verses are almost chanted, like the song is reverential. Does a better job of being in the spirit of Homer than most literal readings.

Interestingly enough the "Wah Pedal" was originally designed for use in brass instruments until a orchestra guitarist named Del Asher got a hold of one. The rest is Rock history...

For me, I think Cream is at their best when doing extended live versions of their songs. The studio versions are just too short, and I don't want them to end so soon! The long versions often turn into jam sessions, which I can never get enough of. Suggested live long versions you might like: 1. N.S.U. 2. Sweet Wine 3. Spoonful 4. I'm So Glad.

Three amazing soloists playing as one. Man they kicked ass!

My ABSOLUTELY favorite Cream song. Lots of other songs are just great, but TINY PURPLE FISHES RUN LAUGHING THROUGH YOUR FINGERS! How awesome are the lyrics?

Loved the wave analogy Alex. Spot on! Yes on Strange Brew, was going to be my suggestion before Andy brought it up. Also check out Politician, I Feel Free, Badge, and Toad.

Thanks, guys! I still have the original Disraeli Gears vinyl that my brother gave me. Every song is great. I’m much less of a Clapton fan of late, but still appreciate Cream and their significant contribution to the music of the era.

Cream was one of the super groups of the 60's. Every one of the 3 guys was super talented but they also had big egos. So they didn't always get along. But in the few short years they were together they produced some classic songs.

this song was, imo, heavy in three different ways. thank you for this.

Oh my God this is going to be a ride thank you so much for doing this one I'm going to enjoy watching this

What a great song! I remember when that first came out. It blew us all away!!!

Try Eric Clapton "The Core" off of SLOWHAND. Great album great song.

This song evokes different images in everyone's minds. For me it sounds like someone living in England during the long and gloomy winter so he takes a little Cruise and visits a beach on the Mediterranean Sea, drops some Orange Sunshine, sees a beautiful girl frolicking in the surf and then hallucinates about it. I've heard that LSD warps the sense of the passage of time and so he might spend 5 seconds or an hour with the vision in his head. I'd categorize it as a "Good Trip" (I've heard). "Those were the days, My Friend, we thought they'd never end..." (sob)

Cream were amazing. I was at a boarding school when they were huge. We played Cream and Who albums all our spare time. We only rested with Simon and Garfunkel. Great to see you reacting to Cream again.

I had this track on a cassette mix tape and listened to it A LOT in university back in the early 90s :) Very sensual song.