IMO the breakup was probably mostly the result of the friction between Bruce and Baker, which started long before Cream and that continues to this day.
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Jack Bruce has gone nuts!
- Thread starter Chopper
- Start date
IMO the breakup was probably mostly the result of the friction between Bruce and Baker, which started long before Cream and that continues to this day.
Clearly stirring the pot, and he did it well, just look at this thread!Not to mention the free "Jack promotion"! already alluded to.
Plus all I'm seeing are typed words from a Magazine. No voice, facial expressions, timing, gestures etc. It makes me wonder if a certain style of humor has been lost through the generations.
+1
Yeah I'm with you, and others, on this one.
I definitely think the Todd Rundgren line set up the atmosphere of the whole interview, revealing that Bruce is joking around.
However, I definitely believe Cream did a better reunion than LZ did. Like Bruce said, they played it just like they would have in the 60s, with the same people, and they played more shows. LZ came back for one show, changed keys, and were missing their original drummer.
and Clapton is a completely better guitarist than Page. Page is sloppy and has no soul, IMHO.
However, I definitely believe Cream did a better reunion than LZ did. Like Bruce said, they played it just like they would have in the 60s, with the same people, and they played more shows. LZ came back for one show, changed keys, and were missing their original drummer.
and Clapton is a completely better guitarist than Page. Page is sloppy and has no soul, IMHO.
Very true, but they can't seem to get enough of each other. They were together before Cream, in Cream, in the pseudo Cream (BBM) and then Cream again. I think they protesteth too much.
Echoing my original post in this thread, 4 pages (so far) of JB discussion plus much the same on the UK bass forum, I think Jack knew what he was doing. Doesn't make it right though:scowl: Maybe we should stop playing his game.
I agree with what some have already pointed out in that Jack was just noting that Cream can still essentially do the same thing on stage that they could years ago and obviously Led Zeppelin can't. Nevertheless, Cream was always a better band, possibly the greatest band of all time. Whether Jack Bruce was actually serious or not in the interview is hard to say, but this is all very interesting, nevertheless.
Jack Bruce can go to hell. Now I really can't stand the guy! I've always disliked his playing and him as a person. Comparing Cream to Zeppelin? Hahah, you gotta be kidding me!
Ric5
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Here's some stuff from wikipedia ...
Cream's future is uncertain: in February 2006, Cream received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their contribution to, and influence upon, modern music. That same month, a "Classic Albums" DVD was released detailing the story behind the creation and recording of Disraeli Gears. On the day prior to the Grammy ceremony, Bruce made a public statement that more one-off performances of Cream had been planned: multiple dates in a few cities, similar to the Royal Albert Hall and Madison Square Garden shows. He would not state when or where those shows would occur, claiming that he "would get chopped" if he said anything.
However, this story was rebutted by both Clapton and Baker, first by Clapton in a Times article from April 2006. The article stated that when asked about Cream, Clapton said: "'No. Not for me. We did it and it was fun. But life is too short I've got lots of other things I would rather do, including staying at home with my kids.' The thing about that band, he says, was that it was all to do with its limits. 'Here were three people who were essentially in disagreement with each other. You latched on to those rare moments of cohesion and made the most of them. But they were rare. It was an experiment.'"
In an interview regarding the release of a DVD of Blind Faith's 1969 performance in Hyde Park, Baker commented to the United Kingdom-based magazine Music Mart about his unwillingness to continue the Cream reunion. These comments were far more specific and explosive than Clapton's; his reasons stemmed from Jack Bruce's behaviour at the Madison Square Garden performances: "When he's Dr. Jekyll, he's fine... It's when he's Mr. Hyde that he's not. And I'm afraid he's still the same. I tell you this - there won't ever be any more Cream gigs, because he did Mr. Hyde in New York last year."
When asked to elaborate, Baker replied: "Oh, he shouted at me on stage, he turned his bass up so loud that he deafened me on the first gig. What he does is that he apologises and apologises, but I'm afraid, to do it on a Cream reunion gig, that was the end. He killed the magic, and New York was like 1968... It was just a get through the gig, get the money sort of deal. I was absolutely amazed. I mean, he demonstrated why he got the sack from Graham Bond and why Cream didn't last very long on stage in New York. I didn't want to do it in the first place simply because of how Jack was. I have worked with him several times since Cream, and I promised myself that I would never work with him again. When Eric first came up with the idea, I said no, and then he phoned me up and eventually convinced me to do it. I was on my best behaviour and I did everything I could to make things go as smooth as possible, and I was really pleasant to Jack."
Clapton would later expand on his reasons for ending the reunion: Baker's response to Bruce's attitude on the first night of the New York shows. Believing that the two would never see eye-to-eye almost forty years after the break-up of Cream, he chose to return to the path of solo artist. Surprisingly, despite the negative comments from Baker regarding Madison Square Garden, Jack Bruce told Detroit's WCSX radio station in May 2007 that there are plans for a Cream reunion later in the year: "There is some talk about us getting together later this year, which I can't really say too much about. But it's not a commercial thing ... but we may get together for something."
It was later revealed that the potential performance was to be a set at the November, 2007 London tribute to Ahmet Ertegün. The band decided against it, as was confirmed by Bruce in a letter to the editor of the Jack Bruce fanzine, The Cuicoland Express dated 26 September 2007:
"Dear Marc,
We were going to do this tribute concert for Ahmet when it was to be at the Royal Albert Hall but decided to pass when it was moved to the O2 Arena and seemed to be becoming overly commercial."
The headlining act for the O2 Arena Ertegun tribute show (postponed to December 2007) turned out to be another reunited English hard-rock act, Led Zeppelin. So while the band members are talking again, no Cream reunions are planned for the near future.
Cream's future is uncertain: in February 2006, Cream received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their contribution to, and influence upon, modern music. That same month, a "Classic Albums" DVD was released detailing the story behind the creation and recording of Disraeli Gears. On the day prior to the Grammy ceremony, Bruce made a public statement that more one-off performances of Cream had been planned: multiple dates in a few cities, similar to the Royal Albert Hall and Madison Square Garden shows. He would not state when or where those shows would occur, claiming that he "would get chopped" if he said anything.
However, this story was rebutted by both Clapton and Baker, first by Clapton in a Times article from April 2006. The article stated that when asked about Cream, Clapton said: "'No. Not for me. We did it and it was fun. But life is too short I've got lots of other things I would rather do, including staying at home with my kids.' The thing about that band, he says, was that it was all to do with its limits. 'Here were three people who were essentially in disagreement with each other. You latched on to those rare moments of cohesion and made the most of them. But they were rare. It was an experiment.'"
In an interview regarding the release of a DVD of Blind Faith's 1969 performance in Hyde Park, Baker commented to the United Kingdom-based magazine Music Mart about his unwillingness to continue the Cream reunion. These comments were far more specific and explosive than Clapton's; his reasons stemmed from Jack Bruce's behaviour at the Madison Square Garden performances: "When he's Dr. Jekyll, he's fine... It's when he's Mr. Hyde that he's not. And I'm afraid he's still the same. I tell you this - there won't ever be any more Cream gigs, because he did Mr. Hyde in New York last year."
When asked to elaborate, Baker replied: "Oh, he shouted at me on stage, he turned his bass up so loud that he deafened me on the first gig. What he does is that he apologises and apologises, but I'm afraid, to do it on a Cream reunion gig, that was the end. He killed the magic, and New York was like 1968... It was just a get through the gig, get the money sort of deal. I was absolutely amazed. I mean, he demonstrated why he got the sack from Graham Bond and why Cream didn't last very long on stage in New York. I didn't want to do it in the first place simply because of how Jack was. I have worked with him several times since Cream, and I promised myself that I would never work with him again. When Eric first came up with the idea, I said no, and then he phoned me up and eventually convinced me to do it. I was on my best behaviour and I did everything I could to make things go as smooth as possible, and I was really pleasant to Jack."
Clapton would later expand on his reasons for ending the reunion: Baker's response to Bruce's attitude on the first night of the New York shows. Believing that the two would never see eye-to-eye almost forty years after the break-up of Cream, he chose to return to the path of solo artist. Surprisingly, despite the negative comments from Baker regarding Madison Square Garden, Jack Bruce told Detroit's WCSX radio station in May 2007 that there are plans for a Cream reunion later in the year: "There is some talk about us getting together later this year, which I can't really say too much about. But it's not a commercial thing ... but we may get together for something."
It was later revealed that the potential performance was to be a set at the November, 2007 London tribute to Ahmet Ertegün. The band decided against it, as was confirmed by Bruce in a letter to the editor of the Jack Bruce fanzine, The Cuicoland Express dated 26 September 2007:
"Dear Marc,
We were going to do this tribute concert for Ahmet when it was to be at the Royal Albert Hall but decided to pass when it was moved to the O2 Arena and seemed to be becoming overly commercial."
The headlining act for the O2 Arena Ertegun tribute show (postponed to December 2007) turned out to be another reunited English hard-rock act, Led Zeppelin. So while the band members are talking again, no Cream reunions are planned for the near future.
Sure Jack played with all those guys but it didn't produce any of their best work. Cobham's best stuff was Mahavishnu and solo. Tony Williams was Miles and solo. Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix ... How manybig-name Jack collaborations were there that didn't really break any ground and dissapointed? For me - all. I am a huge Jack Bruce fan and have almost all his albums, all of Cream's have seen him live four times ... I'm a HUGE respecter of Jack Bruce. I personally think his best solo work has been his albums that didn't involve big-name collaborations (Things We Like, Songs for a Tailor, Something Else ... ).
Nothing is "like" As You Said, but if by that you mean different, interesting and origional, there's tons of great, interesting and niche Zep songs that I'd put forward. For example, Celebration Day and Four Sticks.
Nothing is "like" As You Said, but if by that you mean different, interesting and origional, there's tons of great, interesting and niche Zep songs that I'd put forward. For example, Celebration Day and Four Sticks.
Just as an odd footnote:
Todd Rundgren actually owned Clapton's psychedelically painted SG for awhile!
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/news/news-story/news_id/2066
Todd Rundgren actually owned Clapton's psychedelically painted SG for awhile!
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/news/news-story/news_id/2066
It certainly is up for debate what is and is not anyones best work. But the point remains in response to your earlier assertions about Jack vs JPJ bass playing abilities that it was Jack who had the chops to be asked to join the likes of Tony Williams, etc. and hang at that level. And whether or not any of these were landmark recordings IMO it demonstrates Bruce's versitility and musicianship.
mikeboth
The last thing you'll ever see
I don't think there's much need to take Jack's 'rant' seriously ... unless you are paranoid and / or an overly-defensive LZ fan of course... 
speaking the truth in the manner that he did, is just nasty- not "being off the deep end"
he is right, Have you guys heard zep on those last gigs a few months ago?
giatn headed Robert plant sounded like a moaning old lady he went WAY down key he cant pull it off anymore SORRY!, but BON VOYAGE!
giatn headed Robert plant sounded like a moaning old lady he went WAY down key he cant pull it off anymore SORRY!, but BON VOYAGE!
I really like both bands, however, I've always despised live Zeppelin. It's horribly sloppy.
Also IMO: Clapton > Page
Also IMO: Clapton > Page
Hmmm ... that's the album he did with John McLaughlin (not to mention John Hiseman and Dick Heckstall Smith), right? No big names there then.
Also - Lou Reed's 'Berlin' gets my vote as a classic album that didn't disappoint ...
