Search - Cream :: Live 2

Not on the level of Live Cream but still pretty good

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 10/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released in 1972, Live Cream Volume 2 was the second posthumous live album released after the supergroup announced their breakup in 1968. Apparently, the band was still missed as like their first live album, Live Cream, it would reach the Top 40 in the U.S. However, the difference between them is evident almost from the get go. While Live Cream showed the band at their magical jamming best, Volume 2 reins in the excitement as the live tracks stay close to the originals. That's not to say that it isn't a strong album as the excellent interplay between Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton is still intact and the performances are still very strong. The opening track, "Deserted Cities of the Heart", is by far the most energetic song here as the band's performance sounds like a train that threatens to run off the tracks. Even though it clocks in at less than 5 minutes, the performance makes you look forward to the passion and experimentation that made the live disc of Wheels of Fire, Live Cream, and even the live songs on Goodbye so special. However, the band plays it straight for the next four tracks, particularly on "White Room" and "Politician." The album does redeem itself a little with Clapton's wah-wah solo on "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and the long closing jam on "Sunshine of Your Love." The closer "Steppin' Out" is not only Clapton's showcase but also the main reason to pick up the album. Easily one of their best live tracks, Clapton lets out a long bluesy solo for the first 4 minutes as Baker and Bruce change things up throughout. However, the best is yet to come. While Bruce takes a seat, Clapton lets out an a capella solo for around a minute before Baker slowly works his way in. As the track continues, Clapton's playing changes moods throughout while Baker's drumming provides the perfect accompaniment before reaching its dynamic end at the 13:38 mark. All told, while this is a fine live release, it's not quite on the level of their other live releases. However, if you can't enough of Cream, this won't disappoint you."

Not as good as it could've been, but hey, it's still Cream!!

Al Buchanan | Syracuse, NY | 12/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Much like the first Live Cream album, this Volume 2 was released as a "quickie" album to milk Cream's ample fan base of their cash. That statement may sound a bit harsh; however, the music is DAMN good for being part of a rip-off album released without the consent of Eric, Jack and Ginger.



The album starts off very slowly, with the first three tracks coming from what could be construed as Cream's worst recorded concert performance: Oakland 10/4/68. That night was the group's first show in nearly four months and they hadn't had a decent rehearsal since June 1968. Most of the music from that concert is sub-par by Cream standards (especially the still-unreleased "Passing the Time" from that night) but better than many bands at their peak. "Deserted Cities" is out-of-tune and inferior to the WOF studio (it doesn't work as effectively without Bruce's cello lines), "White Room" isn't all that hot either, but "Politician" is definitely an improvement in terms of energy and technical precision, and though the orgy of soloing guitars of the WOF version is missed, this tune works very well live.



The next three tracks were recorded in March 1968 at the same Winterland shows that produced the live disc of WOF. The Winterland performances are Cream at their absolute peak, the polar opposite of the sub-par Oakland show. "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and "Sunshine of Your Love" are superlative, energetic performances and are among the best versions I have ever heard of these songs. The obvious highlight of the latter tune is the ending jam on the song's final A major chord, though it is rather short compared to other performances of the song (a 17 minute version with a 12 minute (!) ending coda is available on bootlegs).



Which brings me to "Stepping Out," the highlight of the entire album. At 13 minutes, it's definitely not for anyone with little or no patience, but this is certainly a great Eric performance. It's not the best performance of this Clapton solo piece (that would go to Brandeis), but it certainly is respectable and a welcome addition to the live Cream cannon.



Now, of course, there will always be gripes over this album, since it obviously, as stated before, was quickly thrown together with little regard to Cream fans. However, the excellent quality of these recordings must be cherished, since soundboard recordings of Cream in the '60s are a rarity and most fans like me have to listen to poorly-made, hissy audience tapes to hear Cream in their full live glory. Forget the 2005 reunited Cream and take a gander at this. It's well worth getting."

2nd part of a great Live show

P. Jadriev | Central Coast West | 11/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was suprised that Polydor separated this Live concert into 2 LPs.

I was more suprised when they released it on CD and did they same!

Well they got it right anyway. The sound is great, crisp and thundering. Turn this one up!

They put some of the less well known Cream on this one: Deserted Cities of the Heart, Politician and Steppin' out. I suppose that's why Vol. 1 sold more. As a compliment they included the classics: White Room, (a scorching rendition), Tales of Brave Ulysses and Sunshine of Your Love. From the first song this one smokes. If you like Clapton and if you like to hear long versions of old songs, this one is for you!"