This was Cream’s official ‘Goodbye‘ album released in 1969 (after they had already disbanded), it contains a side of studio songs that were tacked together, and a live side which contains their performances from the LA Forum in October 1968. The studio side contains a single song written by each of the three members, and notably includes the song ‘Badge’ which really puts the nail on Cream’s coffin as it showcases Clapton’s promising future solo career. Clapton has disarmed himself in terms of extensive soloing and this song shows his new approach to blues music. George Harrison played the rhythm on the song to thank Clapton for playing the lead guitar on his song ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ for The Beatles. The live side is really special, and definitely worth listening to; Clapton is playing on his Gibson Firebird guitar at this stage and you can really hear the difference in his tone. It’s less fierce and more single coiley (I think he was playing on only one stack as well), but this doesn’t take away from his playing at all. He doesn’t hold back any punches, and delivers a fairly solid performance.
TRACK LISTING:
Live at the LA Forum:
- I’m So Glad [9:11]
- Politician [6:19]
- Sitting on Top of the World [5:01]
Studio:
- Badge [2:45]
- Doing That Scrapyard Thing [3:14]
- What a Bringdown [3:56]