I watched for the second time last night a reunion of Cream in about 2005. I found that Jack Bruce was a good bass player and sang really well while playing, but the sound wasn't that great. His tone was a little off for my taste. Was he considered a very good bass player?
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Jack Bruce
- Thread starter Flyboyandy
- Start date
An exceedingly fine one, by some of us. Do you mean you didn't like his tone, or are you saying you thought his intonation was off or something? I don't recall the latter, will have to re-listen.
He was a groundbreaking player, had a background in classical and jazz with upright bass(and cello). He helped forge a new path in rock bass in the 60’s, moving beyond simple I/V and major/minor triad lines, into ‘lead bass’ concepts, similar to Entwistle, and later Squire. His sound/tone was by default, as he favored Gibson short scale EB3s with hot pickups, into the only British amp loud enough that was available at the time, a Marshall Superbass. Not exactly hi-fidelity, but he worked with it, and it became his unmistakable tone. Granted, in ‘05 he used Hartkes, but a similar Gibson bass(EB1), so he came close to delivering his signature Cream sound(not to disappoint the nostalgia audience, but Clapton was a different story). His solo era stuff was a contrast over the years.
The sound you hear on a recording of him is part what he put out of his rig, part what the engineers did to his sound later while capturing, recording, and mixing it. If it sounds "off" on a particular recording, it may not be something he had control over.
If you want to encounter Cream in their heyday, I'd actually avoid the '68 Farewell show long form video as it features echo-y audio and grainy, effect-laden visuals(plus they were racing to get through it). It may be worth viewing once, but these shorter clips will give you a better idea of what they were all about...
this was live on TV, but Eric was not allowed to crank his amp, and sounds anemic...
You'll notice all sorts of videos that are actually audio only, "bootlegs", plenty of great live performances, but beware the sound quality on many of them.
Not long after Cream broke up, here he is in an entirely different context...
this was live on TV, but Eric was not allowed to crank his amp, and sounds anemic...
You'll notice all sorts of videos that are actually audio only, "bootlegs", plenty of great live performances, but beware the sound quality on many of them.
Not long after Cream broke up, here he is in an entirely different context...
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I've always been partial to his overdriven sound on Live Cream Volume II. Wore out a couple of copies as a kid.
Edit: Still makes me
after all these years!
Edit: Still makes me
after all these years!
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To answer your question, yes he was/is considered one of the best ever, a groundbreaking artist of the highest caliber.
Jack Bruce was a giant of a bass player breaking ground for us all today
We stand on higher ground today because of bass players like Jack Bruce
What are you doing for tomorrows bass players?
We stand on higher ground today because of bass players like Jack Bruce
What are you doing for tomorrows bass players?
Bassist, vocalist, pianist, harmonica player...a master.
As a young bass owner, "Crossroads" blew my mind. If I happen to catch it on the Classic Rock station...it will still bring a smile to my face.
As a more mature, older bass owner that binged on Free Jazz in the early 2000s, this album blew me away...
Was attending a party last weekend, Cream came on the background music during a room wide lull. I looked up at the host and said ‘Jack Bruce’ a few feet away. It sparked a conversation about the Cream players, obstensibly not Eric. Surprised that most of the thirty somethings knew Jack and his exploits well. Monster player, under appreciated in my book for his contributions.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
He had also just received a liver transplant at the time, so give the guy a break. he was sick, and had been for ages.
Not to mention he was one heckuva song writer as well.
- Oct 18, 2012
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I met Jack several times in the early 2000s when he was playing on the "Walk Down Abbey Road" Tour with Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Alan Parsons, Mark Farner, Godfrey Townsend and Steve Murphy. He replaced John Entwistle when The Who was getting ready to tour. The band I was in at the time was managed by Mark Farner's road manager so we were able to go to a lot of shows and meet some great musicians. The first time I saw Jack play, he was having a bad night, lots of mistakes. The second night, he was great and it was easy to see why he is considered one of the best ever. I never saw him have a bad night after that. He had the right sound for Cream and his down was different during the "Walk Down Abbey Road" tour.
I wasn't a fan of that violin bass he used in the '05 shows. I agree it's sound was lacking.
However in the latter part of that concert DVD he busts out his fretless Warwick. That thing is amazing and he sounds so good playing it. He used it in his solo career for a long time and I always loved the sound.
However in the latter part of that concert DVD he busts out his fretless Warwick. That thing is amazing and he sounds so good playing it. He used it in his solo career for a long time and I always loved the sound.
If Jack Bruce’s playing doesn’t wow you I propose that you aren’t conversant with the fact that much of what’s ordinary today was groundbreaking when Jack was a younger player (1960s-1970s) and he was a guy who broke that musical ground. Then, having broken through, he continued expanding his style and range.
Got this album the same day I got my 1st bass...the whole thing seemed impossible.
