The Cream Album by Album Thread (Part 2)

I didn't find time to post on Harmony Row, but I can only echo what many have already said, that I see it as a continuation, development and refinement of the course Jack set out on with Songs For a Tailor, it may well be his finest hour. I think I might have said earlier that Songs... was my favourite album of his, and maybe there are songs on that one that tops some of Harmony..., but the latter may just be stronger overall. It is a shame that it was nowhere near as popular, maybe most of those that bought Songs... did so because of the Cream connection, but didn't get it and lost interest, and a few more hung in there and bought Things We Like but were then utterly confused, and after that there was only the hardcore left...?

Going to dig out my West, Bruce & Laing albums now and try to catch up. Is there any footage of WB&L? I have never seen any...

When was this? I am not a Tony Williams expert, but I don't think anyone played with them outside the core quartet (I think you are possibly mixing two events together). I have also heard mentioned many times that they were really, really loud, and their music being noisy as it is I can only imagine the chaotic soundscape they must have created at top volume!

I already see here some signs of thoughts I have had myself, that Leslie West and Jack were perhaps a bit of a mismatch. In fact, althougth I am a big, big fan of Mountain aswell, I think Leslie and Felix were a bit of a mismatch as well. Leslie, as hinted at, never seemed too interested in the more experimental/progressive/refined stuff (I have cringed at how he in later years seems to even want to make fun of some of Felix's contribution to Mountain), I think he often would have prefered to just "rock out". Leslie was a fantastic raw talent on guitar and it worked well when his explosive energy was reigned in by someone like Felix. With WB&L perhaps members were on more equal terms and maybe there was more friction...?

This is "The Cream Album by Album Thread" and "the Eric Clapton track" is not "the main road", there are three paths to follow simultaneously (but we should of course not do any Mountain, as was suggested). I like reading what people have to say about the Clapton albums, even though I don't have much to say about those myself since I have not listened to most of them enough to have strong opinions. In the same way I would think it should be interesting to expose some Jack and Ginger to those that may not know much about what they did after Cream. (I also think, if for no other reason, that it is a nice tribute to Jack to discuss his career at this point in time). Granted we are past Cream now and The Bear is the boss, but if it is going to be only Clapton I am outta here and in that event I think the thread title should be changed.

July 1973 – Whatever Turns You On
September 1973 - Rainbow Concert
April 1974 – Live 'n' Kickin'

 

most of the jack bruce stuff i have outside of cream is the CAN YOU FOLLOW 6 cd boxset. thats about all i can comment on. brilliant stuff though. hard to get now too

 

It must have been in 1970, after some further research I believe the line-up I saw was Tony Williams on drums, Larry Young on organ, Jack Bruce on bass, John McLaughlin on guitar. It's more than likely that Rebop and Steve Winwood were part of the GBAF line-up at the same venue. Please forgive my shaky recollection in my previous post.

 

That makes sense. I would have loved to have seen that (and heard, ringing ears and all)!

 

Just picked all 3 West Bruce And Laing albums up (as I only had Live 'N' Kickin' previously) - didn't realise that Play With Fire had its lyrics replaced to create Love Is Worth The Blues.
Great review RRB.

 

Thoughtful and perceptive post.

I should add that Pete Brown's lyrics to The Consul at Sunset seem to me particularly resonant. In addition to the Malcolm Lowry (and, presumably, Gerald Hanley) references to Consuls, personal dissolution, and end of Empire, the first few lines

When he walks from the Consul at sunset
Barely remembers his name
Walk is a little unsteady, sadly

incorporate - to this listener's ears at least - a reference to the Ford Consul (inexpensive, out of date and probably on its last legs) from which the song's protagonist is doubtless staggering after spending too long in the pub:



Thereby - with a touch of wry humor - bringing the tragedy implicit in the lyrics to a mundane level most of us can relate to. Good old Pete.

And, of course, Jack, for setting it to such perfect music.

 

That chorus reminds me of Lynyrd Skynyrd- "One More Time".

 

The entire song reminds me of it. The pacing and the chords and the tail to the verses is all similar sounding.

 

I do as well, although that's like saying I like I like single barrel bourbon better than bourbon. Love em all

 

One of my favorite concert memories was seeing West, Bruce and Laing . Laing had something happen to his kit so Leslie and Jack just jammed for 15 minutes. Can't remember the song they were in the middle of (for some reason ), but the memory is still there over 35 years later.

 

from jackbruce.com

The Tony Williams Lifetime with John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce, Larry Young


Apr. 7/70 'Slug’s' NYC
Apr. 8/70 'Slug’s' NYC
Apr. 9/70 'Slug’s' NYC
Apr. 10/70 'Slug’s' NYC
Apr. 11/70 'Slug’s' NYC
Apr. 12/70 'Slug’s' NYC
Apr. 12/70 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
Apr. 16/70 'University of Toledo Student Union Multi-Purpose Room' Toledo, Ohio
Apr. 17/70 'Capitol Theatre' Port Chester, New York (with Lee Michaels, Charlie Brown)
Apr. 18/70 'Capitol Theatre' Port Chester, New York (with Lee Michaels, Charlie Brown)
Apr. 19/70 'Tufts University' Medford, Massachusetts (with Mountain)
Apr. 24/70 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apr. 25/70 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(above 2 shows advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but were
probably cancelled)
Apr. 24/70 'The Birmingham Palladium' Detroit, Michigan (with The Rationals)
Apr. 25/70 'The Birmingham Palladium' Detroit, Michigan (with The Rationals)
Apr. 26/70 Minneapolis, Minnesota
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
Apr. 27/70 'Tonight Show' NYC (hosted by Flip Wilson)
May 1/70 'Ludlow’s Garage' Cincinnati, Ohio
May 2/70 'Ludlow’s Garage' Cincinnati, Ohio
May 6/70 Stores, Connecticut
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
May 8/70 'Action House' Island Park, Long Island, New York
May 9/70 'Action House' Island Park, Long Island, New York
May 15/70 Chicago, Illinois
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
May 31/70 Atlanta, Georgia
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
June 13/70 San Francisco, California
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
June 19/70 Portland, Oregon
(advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but probably cancelled)
June 25/70 Los Angeles, California
June 26/70 Los Angeles, California
June 27/70 Los Angeles, California
June 28/70 Los Angeles, California
(above 4 shows advertised in the Apr. 25/70 issue of Billboard but were probably
cancelled)
July 7/70 New York, New York
July 11/70 'Newport Jazz Festival' Newport, Rhode Island
July 14/70 'Olmstead Sound Studios' NYC ('One Word'/'Two Worlds' session)
July 18/70 'New York Pop' Randall's Island, New York (cancelled)
July 28/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
July 29/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
July 30/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
July 31/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 1/70 'Powder Ridge Festival' Middlefield, Connecticut (cancelled)
Aug. 4/70 Harmonyville, New Jersey
Aug. 7/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 8/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 9/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 10/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 11/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 12/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 13/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 14/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 15/70 'Ungano’s' NYC (2 shows)
Aug. 16/70 'Ohio Valley Jazz Festivial' Crosley Field, Ohio
Aug. 21/70 'Village Gate' NYC
Aug. 22/70 'Village Gate' NYC
Aug. 28/70 'Action House' Island Park, Long Island, New York
Oct. 2/70 'Lancaster University' Lancaster, England
Oct. 3/70 'Roadhouse' Dagenham, England
Oct. 6/70 'Marquee Club' London, England
Oct. 7/70 'Speakeasy' London, England
Oct. 9/70 'Chez Club' Leytonstone, England
Oct. 10/70 'Belfry' Sutton Coldfield, England
Oct. 16/70 'Sisters' Tottenham, London, England
Oct. 18/70 'Kinema Ballroom' Dunfermline, Scotland
Oct. /70 'Dreamland Ballroom' Margate, Kent, England
Oct. /70 'Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club' London, England
Oct. /70 'Beat-Club' Bremen, Germany (recorded for TV but never broadcast)
(30 seconds of their aborted performance is included in the Nov. 28/70 broadcast)
Oct. 23/70 'Essener Pop & Blues Festival' Essen, Germany
Oct. 25/70 'Hampstead Country Club' Haverstock Hill, England
Oct. 26/70 'Albert Hall' Nottingham, England
Oct. 29/70 Basel, Switzerland
Oct. 30/70 Zurich, Switzerland
Nov. 1/70 'Royal Court Theatre' London, England
Nov. 2/70 'Colston Hall' Bristol, Gloucester, England
Nov. 3/70 'Town Hall' Oxford, England
Nov. 4/70 'City Hall' Sheffield, England
Nov. 6/70 'City Hall' Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
Nov. 7/70 'Hull University' Hull, England
Nov. 8/70 'Caley Cinema' Edinburgh, Scotland
Nov. 9/70 'Maryland' Glasgow, Scotland
Nov. 10/70 'Town Hall' Birmingham, England
Nov. 12/70 'California' Dunstable, England
Nov. 13/70 'Chesford Grange' Kenilworth, England
Nov. 14/70 'Starlight Ballroom' Boston, England
Nov. 15/70 'Winter Gardens' Bournemouth, England
Nov. 16/70 'St. George's Hall' Bradford, England (with Barclay James Harvest)
Nov. 20/70 'Knufflesplunk Community Center' Welwyn Garden City, England
Nov. 21/70 'Umist College' Manchester, England
Nov. 22/70 'Redcar Jazz Club'/'Coatham Hotel' Redcar, Yorkshire, England
Nov. 23/70 'Civic Hall' Wolverhampton, England (cancelled)
Nov. 26/70 'Revolution Club' London, England
Nov. 27/70 'Van Dyke Club' Davenport, Plymouth, England
Nov. 29/70 'Fairfield Hall' Croydon, England
Dec. 2/70 'The Dome' Brighton, England
Dec. 3/70 'St. Georges Hall' Liverpool, England
Dec. 5/70 'Chelsea College' Chelsea, England
Dec. 10/70 'Rebecca’s' Birmingham, England (cancelled as the band never showed up)
Dec. 18/70 'East Berks College' Windsor, England (cancelled ?)

 

We established in the Skynyrd ABA, that Cream was a big influence on LS. Yet somehow a song recorded by LS in 1971, but not heard until 1977. Sounds like a Jack Bruce song from 1972. Subliminal parallel paths ...???

 

I really appreciate your comments and, comments like yours make me go forward with the thread even when I am confronted by an album like Harmony Row. The review for that album was probably the toughest I have posted so far. The songs really almost defy categorization. I struggled trying to come up with connections to standard pop and rock music. Great point on the meter on Folk Song. Thanks again.

 

The ascending melody in the refrains and the 3/4 time in both make them sound very similar. I think it was just like you said.....subliminal songwriting stuff that sounds similar.

 

I do find 'Folk Song' to an absolutely stunning song. Sadly this was the first thing I thought of when I heard he'd sadly left us.

 

A coincidence you posted that. I just finished listening to that song about five times in a row. IMO it is one of his best songs ever.

 

I totally agree. That and 'We're Going Wrong'. Genius.

Saying that, as they're discussing flubs on recordings on another thread - the vocals do slip around a bit on the 'Harmony Row' version.

 

Nice review RRB! I really like Why Dontcha West Bruce & Laing were really a band you needed to see live to see them take there songs and stretch them out.
On the album Why Dontcha the song Third Degree at the end Jack and Leslie rip into a awesome jam Jack's bass just kills amazing! I can relate big time to your experience at the West Bruce and Laing concert in Philly the same thing happened to me at there concert at the Hollywood Palladium, funny stuff. Anyway Bear
do you remember the ending to Third Degree when you were reviewing it?

 

I don't have much to say that hasn't been said by others already regarding Harmony Row except to say it's been one of my favorite records since it first came out. I had no idea what to call it then, as far as style went. I just assumed it was rock music, as that was a big enough umbrella in those days to accommodate any number of variants. I suppose art songs makes as much sense nowadays. I haven't heard much else to this day that contains the same amount of successful experimentation compositionally, brilliant playing and singing and arranging as HR does. Over the years I bought three copies on vinyl because I was afraid I'd wear out the first copy I bought and didn't want to be without a way to play a clean version of it. The CD release was a great addition. I've seen Jack live a number of times and was thrilled when he did songs from Harmony Row.

I really liked Why Dontcha when I first heard i. I loved the sound of the opening guitar layers especially. I saw them live once and enjoyed it, but don't remember it as a highlight or anything, despite being a big fan of Jack's and certainly of Leslie's guitar playing. I think he can be one of the most melodic rock players around I was always impressed with how expressive he could be with just a few notes. As much as I liked the first Leslie West album, Mountain, (the one with Long Red, Blood of the Sun, etc.), I think having Felix as a foil was a brilliant move and a big step forward. I liked the two sides of the band and the contrast/tension in the songs when they took turns on the vocals. It made for better songs and a better overall album experience for my taste back then. I was hoping for better things from WB&L, but when heroin is the number one priority, I guess that just doesn't happen.

 

Thanks.
I should have mentioned the cool ending to Third Degree where it goes into a faster hard rock boogie and is a tempo contrast to the rest of the song. Great ending.

 

The first time I saw West Bruce & Laing was 4/1972 at the Hollywood Palladium. Leslie, Jack and Corky each had there spot to solo Jack's bass solo was about 15-20 minutes long man I was right on Jack's side in the front row leaning on the stage, I could reach out and touch Jack. One of the highlights of my life also they played " Politician " which the band did a phenomenal job! So seeing WBL live they could play even though all three were strung out on smack. And Jack was hooked for 15 more years hard to believe.

 

We already talked about this in this thread a couple of months ago... I saw one of those shows, too, but my perception of it was a lot more negative than yours:

The Cream Album by Album Thread (Part 2)

As I mention, the audience was wasted, but I think the band was, too. Quite a disappointing night me as a fan of all those guys.

 

I had a great time and was up front so my attention was on the band and not the crowd! I saw WBL again in 11/1972 at the Hollywood Palladium
again and was wasted and don't remember too much! But saw them again in Orange County and another great show.

 

Up next-

 

Not as strong as their first release IMO but does feature a couple of fine Jack moments with November Song and Like A Plate. Too much Leslie and not enough of Jack for my taste brings down the album a little for me. No offense to Leslie but when you have Jack Bruce in your band he should be leading on most of the tracks. Once again there are four songs credited to Bruce Brown West and Laing. You were ripped off Ginger. Jack may have seen the writing on the wall as to the band's lack of a future with his small contributions. Still solid, love how Slow Blues fades into Dirty Shoes.