Cream: SWLABR (1967)

The b-side to "Sunshine of Your Love" stands for "She Walks Like a Bearded Rainbow"--whatever that means...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngIxuGOVGeQ

Eric Clapton: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000 part 1

Rock Hall Bio: http://www.rockhall.org/inductees/eric-clapton/bio/

Official Site: http://www.ericclapton.com/

Clapton got kicked out of school for focusing too much on his guitar. He joined his first band at 17 and left in 1963. He joined The Yardbirds that October.

For Your Love w/The Yardbirds (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2LSSgQMc2E

He left the Yardbirds and joined John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for a few months.

I’m Your Witchdoctor w/John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5PA5RJOCc4

In July 1966, he joined one of the first supergroups with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Cream emerged as one of the great bands of the period. They split in 1968.

Crossroads w/Cream (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg1pHeYmaQE

Baker and Clapton teamed with Steve Winwood for Blind Faith in 1969.

Presence of the Lord w/Blind Faith (1969):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrOcRtQUj48

Clapton also joined John Lennon for a performance on Lennon’s Shaved Fish:

Cold Turkey by John Lennon (1969):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu3_2w4ff6Q

E.C. hoped to deflect attention from himself by forming a new band without needing to be the star.  This led to Derek and the Dominos.

Tell the Truth (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUQw8s-QZOg

Bell Bottom Blues (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1oLU4FAq8E

His passion for George Harrison’s wife made him lose his mind leading to the Dominos hit…

Layla (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA

Clapton’s professional success proved a contrast to his private life. He was racked with addictions and longings. In fact, Pete Townshend held a benefit to help Clapton’s addiction.

The Rainbow Concert (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUWDeZoCocM

 Despite the problems, he had an amazing solo career.

After Midnight (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwYE-5A10RU

I Shot The Sheriff (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O36luh8nx9I

He made a guest appearance in The Who’s Tommy as the Preacher in 1975:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIKU0mXRLrA

Lay Down Sally (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7wP57s_hsg

Clapton appeared on The Last Waltz as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WDmMWF83x4

Wonderful Tonight (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl7Hd2r0LOs

Promises (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4vdrmlG3Cg

 

Cream: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1993

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/cream/bio/

Cream represented rock’s first super group. Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker, three alpha males, united to create a unique blend of blues, hard rock, and psychedelic music.

Their first album disappointed some.

Wrapping Paper (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jpI7RbN4qY

I Feel Free (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeB9JZmX1JI

Their second work, Disraeli Gears, lived up to the hype.

Strange Brew (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftgytmgQgE

Spoonful (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lRmVOGw3M

Sunshine of Your Love (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqh54rSzheg

Wheels of Fire came next.

White Room (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMtzhqikfYc&feature=related

Crossroads (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hwnb8AB2kc

Bruce and Baker could not get along. On top of this, Clapton fell in love with The Band and took some negative reviews about his playing to heart. The band had to be convinced to produce one final work.

Goodbye

Ringo Starr misread “bridge” while Clapton worked on this song. He called it “Badge” and the name stuck.

Badge (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7rHCYtbZRo

They performed a farewell concert at Royal Albert Hall and broke up. Cream reunited in 2005:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Mskdg5_HA

In 2010, Bruce proclaimed “Cream is over.” Cream’s music had a dramatic impact on British metal and hard rock as well as prog rock. In Cream’s wake came Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Rush, and the Allman Brothers Band.

　

Greatest Songs of the sixties part II

The second, and final, listing of my favorites from the decade.

Fortunate Son- CCR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ahDHwYWg8E

Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY

Sunshine of Your Love- Cream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDZqmF3zS04

Gimme Shelter- The Rolling Stones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJDnJ0vXUgw

Strawberry Fields-The Beatles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7uBrx5aJ20

Howlin' Wolf: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1991

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/howlin-wolf/

His life and career in links.
In 1930, he began hanging outside juke joints and became acquainted with Charley Patton. Patton taught him how to play guitar. Wolf performed throughout the 1930s.
He did not begin recording until 1951 at Chess Records and RPM Records.

How Many More Years:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FK620bS7A

Moanin’ at Midnight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU_wUcwooc8

Smokestack Lightning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FK620bS7A

I Asked for Water:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvnvvzfKXC4

Spoonful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyfgb9sDT1I

Little Red Rooster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vr-DR5HdKw

He died in 1976. According to legend, Eric Clapton purchased his tombstone. He had a profound impact on British rock acts.

The Rolling Stones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiFnleuNULQ

Cream:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lRmVOGw3M

The Yardbirds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2mFGqPZqRA

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #61-70

61. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On: Jerry Lee Lewis- The single flopped four times before Lewis got a hold of it. He added piano and energy and it became a smash.

62. Bo Diddley: Bo Diddley- Very influential beat. You can hear it in hundreds of songs.

63. For What It’s Worth: Buffalo Springfield- They predicted the clash between authorities and anarchy that accentuated the late 60s.

64. She Loves You: The Beatles- Initially panned by America, it made a comeback after Beatlemania began.

65. Sunshine of Your Love: Cream- What a riff.

66. Redemption Song: Bob Marley- Inspired by Marcus Garvey who was a bit of a clown.

67. Jailhouse Rock: Elvis Presley- Some lyrics that elude to big gay prison love.

68. Tangled Up in Blue: Bob Dylan- Great lyrics, great song.

69. Crying: Roy Orbison- Some of the best vocals ever!

70. Walk On By: Dionne Warwick- and call the psychic friends network!

RS Magazine's Top 500 Songs #371-390

371. Complete Control: The Clash- A jam and a tirade against sell-outs.

372. The Letter: The Box Tops- The late great Alex Chilton was 16 when he cut this. I have seen many interviews with Vietnam vets that loved this song.

373. Highway 61 Revisited: Bob Dylan- What was he on?

374. Unchained Melody: The Righteous Brothers- The song that won’t die. It came back like Jason or Freddy when I was in High School.

375. How Deep is Your Love: The Bee Gees- Reminds me of being 5 or 6.

376. White Room: Cream- Nothing like a drug trip, Eric Clapton, and a wah wah.

377. Personal Jesus: Depeche Mode- It sounds like a song about televangelism, but is actually about Elvis.

378. I’m a Man: Bo Diddley- This is the basis of rock n roll. It’s essence.

379. The Wind Cries Mary: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- A Hendrix ballad? The Lions version was “The Crowd Cries Barry!”

380. I Can’t Explain: The Who- Pete Townsend examines the teen inability to vocalize….with a big riff.

381. Marquee Moon: Television- Many groups were influenced by Television, even if they did not know it.

382. Wonderful World: Sam Cooke- Another song that could be sponsored by teacher’s unions…(don’t know much about history…)

383. Brown Eyed Handsome Man: Chuck Berry- This is subversive. Chuck Berry takes a shot at Jim Crow, but you have to know the story behind the song to know it.

384. Another Brick in the Wall Pt 2: Pink Floyd- Roger Waters did not like school. Nowadays, it makes a great theme song for various teacher’s unions.

385. Fake Plastic Trees: Radiohead- I am shocked they only have two songs in this.

386. Maps: Yeah Yeah Yeahs- an interesting song. Reminded me of late 80s/early 90s alt.

387. Hit the Road Jack: Ray Charles- Today’s version would be “Hit the road Bar-ack and don’t you come back no more no more no more.

388. Pride (In the Name of Love): U2- U2’s ode to Martin Luther King and their fervent wish for an Irish MLK. Back then, Bono had a mega-mullet.

389. Radio Free Europe: REM- An important song which eventually led to the early 90s short-lived revolution.

390. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Elton John- IMO This is probably John’s best work