Cream - "Steppin' Out - 1966

Cream - "Steppin' Out" Live at Klooks Kleek, London November 15th 1966. Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton at the start of their short career as Cream.

[@andybrennand1576]

People comparing Hendrix to Clapton? Its like comparing a Ferrari and a Lamborghini - who cares? They both are amazing.

[@sevchyk]

Andy Brennand However, we can argue on the matter who provides more satisfaction when we're listening to them, and we can judge who of them is more inventive as a player.

[@andybrennand1576]

Agreed

[@jsilence418]

+sevchyk Lol How can you " argue" who gets more pleasure from listening? it's a totally subjective experience, man I know you 12 year olds have to learn, but why not shut up listen and learn?

[@sevchyk]

+jsilence418 Look at your creepy avatar, nobody will take you seriously, so just continue talking, perhaps you'll say something clever sometimes.

[@jsilence418]

sevchyk What a stunning rejoinder as if my avatar has anything to do with the fact you make stupid comments on KZbin, and get called on them. I expect a moron like you has that happen frequently.

[@Claymor621]

He's on fire in this. A moment in rock history when Hendrix hadn't yet established his thing, Beck and Page were still basically playing pop guitar, Townshend had invented rock chords but didn't have the solo chops, and the jazz-influenced technique guys had yet to discover sustain (or, let's face it, flair). He is, at this point, way out there on his own.

[@ivi7792]

well said

[@TDghf]

This very much explains it

[@rickhuff9030]

I wholeheartedly concur.

[@rajibchitrakar2679]

That’s why people said him GOD.

[@tombombadill22]

Hendrix had arrived in September and blown Eric off stage with a powerful version of Killing Floor. This upt the ante for Clapton and we can hear that in this firey version of Steppin Out. The battle was well and truly ON!

[@bestbyte1]

Clapton at his absolute best. The pure aggression in his playing is mesmerizing.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Probably partly it was because he was a quiet person in a band with volatile characters and this was his way of letting out his frustration. If you read any of his comments on this period, he wasn't happy and honestly got bored playing these 10-15 minute jams. Let's face it, he's a blues guy and there are 6 notes in a blues scale. He admitted many times, he felt out of his element playing with two jazz guys. But he is more than appreciative fans enjoyed it but he would not agree it was his best work.

[@johnprice6733]

Sorry to all you "Wonderful Tonight" fans, but this was peak Clapton.

[@facugou]

@@johnprice6733 no, here, Clapton was a great guitar player. But today, he become a great guitar player, a great songwriter and a great vocalist.

[@mathstar4176]

Andy, I used to have a friend who was an American Vietnam draftdodger, hiding out in Jamaica. He turned me on to Cream and he and his friends would argue about who was better, Hendrix or Clapton. But you are right man, they are comparable to a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. Both Icons, we should just dig both of them and say where they came from was pure Magical healing sounds. We need them both back today. Much of the current music is no longer the healing of the nations.

[@hernanielegaste2777]

Clapton the inventor of slowhand

[@Geoffseago1]

I was there at Klooks Klek when this was recorded... I also saw Eric Clapton playing with John Mayall there as well in the very early days andd the sound of his black Les Paul I will never forget,,, magnificent sound in a small club... his sound was sooo new and special at the time

[@ttswan]

So what guitar was he playing in this recording, if you remember?

[@karenscigliano9787]

Damn!!!

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

1.56 on....The fire in his playing is incredible. People forget about 'this' Eric Clapton. They didn't call him God for nothing. Ginger Bakers drumming is immense throughout. Killer performance. Thanks.

[@emwavemhz]

+Anthony Monaghan Don't forget Jack Bruce the finest bases of all times!

[@mickgriffin3843]

+Anthony Monaghan Yep Anthony all the kids hear today is Eric's after Dominoes days stuff. I enjoy all of his music ,however when you check out his early stuff.... Bluesbreakers , Cream and Dominoes whew! That fire!

[@jackwhite9395]

+mick griffin Some of the best for sure!!!!!!!!

[@richardmellor8603]

Totally agree. Clapton's guitar playing in the 60s era is astonishing. Imagine hearing this performance in 1966 - it would have blown your mind.

[@mickgriffin3843]

Richard Mellor Yeah good point Richard.

[@mikeroberts9501]

No one can touch them to this day. Amazingly fluid, powerful yet melodic intensity.

[@BOBKESSLER48]

Not even Justin Bieber!

[@dinpala]

yeah not even him

[@bluesrocker6l6gc8]

This is one of the finest examples of Clapton's early playing I have ever heard - truly amazing especially considering it was 1966. Baker and Bruce were equally as good - what a trio of power!

[@DailyBrusher]

It really is amazing that this is 1966 - think of how most of rock music sounded in 1966! This is some of the first heavy rock sound, innit?! They are inventing a new kind of rock, here.

[@loaguyz]

Yeah! Clapton thought they were a blues band but you can hear the blues are really running off the rails here in to something else altogether.

[@TDghf]

david lastname well explained this is hard rocking imo

[@enriquebonelli6793]

So you must listen Cinderella from The Sonics, months before and heavier.

[@TDghf]

@@enriquebonelli6793 this is heavier for sure. This is hard rock.

[@TDghf]

@@enriquebonelli6793Sonics are legends of heavy though.

[@bttmdweller]

I know this post has already been up for nine years, but just want to say "thanks" to slunky08 for publishing this. Years ago, when 8-track tapes were still around, I found an 8-track at a thrift store of Graham Bond Organisation Live At Klook's Kleek... I thought I had found the Holy Grail! But since the advent of KZbin, recordings that floated around music circles as bootlegs, and not accessible to most people, can be easily found here. A treasure-trove of historic performances! A huge Thank You to everyone who shares these recordings on KZbin!

[@boxingin]

It took me a long time to realize just how great Eric Clapton really is. He's an amazing musician!

[@sumphandle]

it was exciting very on the wave

[@myflyonthewall48]

I swear it's happened the same way for me!! Slowly bc at first I didn't understand.

[@pabloperez4063]

And Also -singer -composer -band leader

[@deansusec8745]

I think that is because he burned out too quickly, and then decided to play stoned and drunk for a long time. Then he thought he could sing and play pop music. Still does.

[@brucedunkle9136]

This was 1966, Jim Marshall was just starting to build 100 watt heads in 1965. There's something about the sound of overdriven Marshall amps of that era. Clapton was plugging his Les Paul straight in and flooring those amps. That's a sound right there. That's a tone that stays in your head.

[@dynasticlight1073]

When ,I seen Him , was playing a Firebird and 335

[@lisaparsons4124]

Yes I agree awesome group,1966,year I was born 💙

[@peterhendriks1602]

You can really hear these are young men, willing to give it all they have got. It is more than skill, it is music played with the same manic intensity as early bebop or punk. After this period Clapton turned into a rather dull craftsman. But when he was in his prime he was a true miracle. Maybe guitar players are just like athletes, who can only perform at an exceptional level as long as they are completely singleminded about what ever they do. Once that is gone it is gone forever. You can never be that hungry twice.

[@OroborusFMA]

No one over 32 should be in rock music. It's a young man's game. And if you're frying your talent in hard drugs like heroin, the muse is going to leave you all the faster.

[@johnnyhmash]

true.in his autobio he says he didn't want to be the focus of attention but to blend in with the others.So that and a shed load of drink and drugs and love affairs were to 'blame' for his blanding out.However i'm second to no-one in my admiration for D and the Ds.

[@uncasist]

I agree hunger and drive make all the difference. Age doesn't make a difference. Parker, Coltrane, Miles, McClaughlin... all older folks who kicked it.

[@peterhendriks1602]

@Creative Solutions I just don't agree. His last interesting work was the Derek and the Dominos life album recorded in 1970, especially Why Does Lover Got To Be so Sad, Tell the Truth and and Have You Ever Loved a Women. His singing was great and passionate on that album. When I saw him 1974 during the 461 Ocean Boulevard tour, I realised immediately a new Middle of the Road Clapton had emerged. After that he occasionally did something interesting, but the adventurous guitar god was gone. His real career lasted only four years, the same timespan as the careers of guys like Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Some die and some survive, but it seems impossible to continue performing at that manic energy level for more than a handful years. Just like punk or bebop it was a young man's game.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

The kind of music Cream made and the volatility of the characters in the band meant it would only last a few years at most. Clapton isn't Alan Holdsworth or a virtuoso across many styles who can stand there and noodle for half an hour and never run out of ideas. He was a blues player and while he admitted that it challenged him and was a valuable experience, it grew tiresome and he wanted to play songs, not jam endlessly every night, especially when the rhythm section is at each other's throat nightly. Your opinion about Clapton's playing not being "exceptional" after Cream is like saying Tiger Woods is not exceptional because golf isn't as exciting as watching Tyreek Hill catch TD's from Patrick Mahomes.

[@Randy_Smith]

this should be required listening for anyone who hears a slow paced and mellow Clapton song and says "What's the big deal?"

[@carlosnavarro9376]

Randy Smith Everyone knows Clapton for tunes like "Change the World". This is mind blowing.

[@antonteodor1]

Steves Van Zandt's words.

[@JasonMcFly]

right? Clapton used to rip back when he was drinking and taking drugs :D Love the guy

[@df5295]

I saw Clapton a few times in the 1980s. When he was soloing it sometimes seemed that time stopped. It's very hard to describe.

[@fuzzface100]

Clapton's playing at this gig and especially around this time is just astonishing. He was really starting to forge his trademark sound and the guitar on this track in particular is absolutely incendiary. The vibrato sound makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. If ever there was a guitarist that could truly make a guitar sing it was Clapton. Clapton is still a great guitarist but he really was unbelievable in the early Cream days; raw, experimental and truly pioneering.

[@wiesawpoinc3260]

Tak Clapton śpiew.Gitara Claptona śpiew.

[@mathstar4176]

I gotta save this, pure Cream when we had no grandkids. I need to plug this legendary performance into a big system and turn it up. Hey can't you see they were right all along. This will never die. Eric, Bless.❤️✌️😎🎸🍀

[@MerkinMuffly]

When Clapton really was God.

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Still is

[@PurpleAndZeppelin]

@@kerrymcmanus9188 Clapton here is God .. .. what you are hearing right now in this video-audio is authentic music cream .. .. BUT from 70 Clapton is shit .. .. You have to recognize things friend.

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

@@PurpleAndZeppelin I dont have to do anything, pull your head in

[@PurpleAndZeppelin]

@@kerrymcmanus9188 I dont know friend .. .. He is god here but Claptom From 70s is shit there are better than clapton .. .. page rory and blackmore clapton is at the level of Alvin Lee or Martin Barre. but for me all these guitarists are gods, and I'm sure I'll leave some more and some more bands. (J.H. Experience, Crimson, who, lymyrd, and more local bands that now with Internet we are discovering, for example here in Spain 1967' SMASH BAND Spanish psychedelic rock group with blouse and progressive dyes) But Eric from 70s was a shit ... that's clear .. .. everybody knows it.

[@pabloperez4063]

@@PurpleAndZeppelin Page And blackmore are shit compared to Eric. I reckon you can not play a guitar

[@wannabe1975]

clapton is the only guy who can play this....tone, time, phrasing, speeds it up, slows it down.....genuis...

[@RokinLee]

Its not just Clapton - the whole of Cream are/were awesome. Best live group ever.

[@rogerhinshelwood7308]

No band has been better, before or since.

[@twoslices]

I remember seeing them twice in 1966, both at the Marquee club in London. Life changing experience.

[@sheckdagh627]

Your one lucky guy

[@ray2022]

We got our copies of the Powerhouse and then shortly after that, the Bean-O one so naturally all of us guitarists had to start playing hard like that in 1966. But we had our Freddie King and Hubert Sumlin already anyway..Good time/bad time in America.

[@burpvom]

Greatest guitar solo ever. Clapton on fire

[@dbendeth]

Its too bad no one but Clapton could do this for 5 minutes straight. I love Clapton's songwriting, but the minute he switched to the strat he left all this behind him forever. Nothing has that sound like a Gibson with the tone rolled off and a fat Marshall amp.

[@pabloperez4063]

ThE dominoes live had Fury too

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

@@pabloperez4063 Absolutely

[@Dagger_323]

He has no tone rolled off here. This is flat out. Contrary to what most think the majority of the time his volume and tone controls were on 10 (he said so himself-everything, even EQ controls in the amp, were all dimed). It’s blatantly obvious when he rolls his tone off for the “woman tone”. Clapton’s overall dark sound though comes from plugging into the normal channel rather than the bright channel of those Marshalls.

[@coldacre]

fuck me... Clapton in '66! he just had this flow..... he just kept playing and every note was heaven sent. he never made mistakes!!

[@MarshallAmpMan]

agreed!

[@TDghf]

Coldacre only if he was too high. But it still sounded awesome

[@dlv1977]

Until hendrix skull fkd him and he limped off stage ha know your history twit

[@lisaparsons4124]

Awesome guitar player 1966,year I was born 💙

[@ralphf8951]

I wish I had a time machine to go back to my beloved 60's and never come back to this horrible century.

[@lisaparsons4124]

Yes 60s had awesome groups 1966,year I was born 💙

[@theechoinggreen6175]

unbelievable playing by Clapton, every note is so full of conviction and passion

[@MikeGervasi]

THIS is the reason they burned out so quickly..who could possibly sustain this level of playing for more than 3 years? Incredible how Ginger and Eric play off each other. They were one of the few bands that seemed to be polyrhythmic during extended jams..they would be locked in time and then just go off in different directions...then somehow all end up on the one. Staggering how great they were...

[@MIKECNW]

This was from 1966 and it would be 2 more years before they broke up and many others bands have lasted longer.

[@jeffreymendez3207]

yea man like the spoonful jams

[@riffdigger2133]

Jack on bass, hitting the “1” on the changes after subdividing the beat, along with those crazy offbeats, then back on 1. I’m So Glad, Spoonful and others. I often wondered if Jack was ‘counting in his head’ to come back and nail the 1. It’s a clever technique because no one knows you are counting 1,2,3,4 -2,234 etc.

[@bbb8997]

after the 2nd lead in crossroads & Ginger Baker pulls them back together, amazing just like the Live yArdbiRs with Jimmy Page coming back together on "I'm confused'. beyond tight

[@robertcheadle3665]

Remember, Clapton is 21 yrs old

[@NeverMind-vx7pl]

Exactly, he was a prodigy’s prodigy.

[@IvanMordo]

Good lord, he is on fire here! The band gives him great support, too, unlike their later stuff where everyone is soloing at the same time. Amazing track.

[@fuzzface100]

This recording's nearly 50 years and still blows my mind - this is why they called Clapton god.

[@neddobrijevic3183]

Hendrix was on stage with God back in 1966. Hendrix completely destroyed god. And he said to Chas chandler you didn't tell me he was that good.

[@DavidBrown-iv6qh]

Clapton: now I understand...

[@ianmckinnon8461]

Unreal guitarist EC

[@lynettekomidar2819]

Wow, haven't heard this version

[@andybrennand1576]

Ginger Baker - Best drummer ever by a country mile! Jack Bruce - Best Bassist. Clapton - One of the best ever.... To have seen these live I think I would have wet myself. What a band. There is no band today who are even fit to roadie for these guys. End of.

[@Johnconno]

You're a Mook. 'End of...' FFS, You bedwetter.

[@benramsell3245]

Maybe if John Bonham never walked the earth. But he did

[@alexissalmeron4289]

hendrix experience?

[@sarahemikula]

Dang chill people! Have a bit of soul maybe? Dude's just reacting to the video/Cream song whole sharing his excitement for more than one great musical talent out of that era. Something as cool and bluesy as this ( LIKE A LIVE F***ING CREAM SONG!!!) Doesn't call for such arbitration, you two Nancy boys can't just exchange ideas could ya? Disagreeing doesn't mean "snide insult time" especially something as relative as music

[@arminiushermann09]

@@benramsell3245The only thingJohn Bonham was good at, was raping women an beating them. Led Zeppelin where the biggest thieves in all of Rock history. They've been to court so many times for ripping off other people's music an claiming it as their own. Ginger is far superior. Hell, even Moby Dick was taken from Ginger's Toad solo.

[@Deagledrumzz]

I have to say I saw the band during their 1st tour of the U.S. I went to see them at the Cafe Au go go in the village in NYC. This club was pushed if it held more than 350 people. You cannot imagine what it was like then, when these guys were firing on all cylinders. I listened to the 1st album before they came over to the States, but hearing and seeing them in person then was seeing and hearing the birth of new music.You instantly knew,The Beatles, Stones, EVERYONE was now basically old fodder. Hearing this super group from 30 feet away was like riding a star ship into another universe. I can only say this, music was never the same after Cream invaded the States. And needless to say they became the biggest group in the world at that time, and the real 1st fusion group (jazz-rock-heavy blues). 3 of the best there ever was. R.I.P Jack,Ginger.

[@dynasticlight1073]

So True. Seen them also in N.Y. Not sure if it was 1st tour.We had open seating up close and We loved loud. When they started to play we actually backed up to other rows . They were absolutely Incredible / Astonishing, to this day -Nothing comes even close ...Never will forget it.

[@Youman71463]

i was too young for any of that but i was the youngest of 6 and i had all the hand-me-down mags like Hullabaloo which became Circus and I can testify to your statement that Cream were very heavily covered in the media and considered very important & vital in their day, which i was alive for but only about 6 yrs old lol

[@Chuichupachichi]

That was some serious guitar playing! What makes it even more amazing is that he was playing like that in 1966. Nobody was playing like that in 1966. Clapton set the tone for what was to come in the next few years

[@larryn2682]

Lonnie Mack had helped move in this direction of heavy lead guitar on a Gibson solid body with humbuckers.

[@DistantLights]

I think this my favorite instance of Clapton playing.

[@EricCirca6566]

Fantastic! And to think that the song had evolved this much since he recorded it with The Bluesbreakers which was only seven months earlier.

[@revelatorhill8782]

Must have been the Baker/Bruce combo that sent Clapton to new heights so soon. Imagine being there to witness it.. If I could go back in time to see how cream developed in 1966 and early 1967...

[@peterhendriks1602]

Yes, they it was like an excellent football team which plays like clockwork. They didn't allow him to be lazy or rely on his routine. They pushed each other to what is humanly possible.

[@papam351]

This brings back the excitement I experienced seeing Cream twice at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Everyone was very competitive; Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Peter Green and I saw them all but Cream was special.

[@lisaparsons4124]

Awesome group

[@papam351]

@@lisaparsons4124 Too bad these three exceptionally talented musicians were around for such a short time.

[@lisaparsons4124]

@@papam351 yes I agree 💯 Eric Clapton awesome guitar player.Have a great day

[@charlesseiderman29]

Speed music!

[@diddywahdaddy]

Their most amazing version. Clapton is pure voodoo magic here. Also the clearest audio quality I've ever heard of this fave recording, thanx a zillion, slunky08!!

[@ronnieshaw7394]

What an absolute master class in guitar playing

[@lisaparsons4124]

Awesome guitar player,1966year i was born

[@lt.dannyvelinski5431]

Don't forget Ginger... DAMN!

[@fuzzface100]

God, that guitar tone - just beautiful....

[@LeGrandeOrange]

Where did this come from?!? Before Clapton met Hendrix. Testament to the man's genius, dropping fucking H-Bombs from every direction!

[@creamforever2677]

99% agree

[@Seansaighdeoir]

Incredible to think of people playing to this style in '66... from 1.45 onwards it just grows ... phenomenal...

[@TDghf]

Clapton pioneered hard rock for sure

[@smtube23]

My perspective is; there are so many, many great guitarists to compare, Eric has done heavy metal, blues, boogie, etc. and proven his amazing talent, as I write, for sixty years. With that being said, who is the best, greatest, whatever? It's up to you!

[@diddywahdaddy]

@sludgefingers Yeah, Clapton's truly in flames here, his most brilliant moment ever - to me, anyway. This is the most incredible recording of a guitar running amuck with a smile and flying onto heaven, getting back, telling stories. Real Power. Did he use the SG on this?

[@joshuahymer15]

Would have been a les Paul in 66

[@tompease8810]

Jimi and Eric are master's at their craft

[@fuzzface100]

THE best version of Steppin Out. Clapton plays with so much fire and stamina on this track it's unreal.

[@EricCirca6566]

Wow! I've never heard this version before. It's fantastic. I'm partial to The Bluesbreaker version, but if this is really from 1966, not that much time has elasped since the studio version. Both versions, the solo starts out the same. This is a pretty clean sounding recording. Thank you for posting this. I really enjoyed it. Yet another version of one of my favorite Clapton songs.

[@johnknottenbelt2727]

Stepping out was a Clapton showcase from when he played with the John Mayall Bluesbreakers. For more from this great Clapton period, check out the 'Beano' album.

[@davevarga]

He's doing pretty good for being 35 years past his prime. It's his prime that I keep revisiting and am blown away.

[@DYNODRUM]

@iCHUCK69 ya-on- I, seen them in 68'-Wheeels of Fire - In N.Y. AND IT WAS THAT , we were in Bands and walked to a local venue ,Unreal right up Front "open seating". We had to back up a bit as these guys seriuosly laid it Down .JACK Bruce was a mindblower ,he drove /sang that Band like a fireball on hormones, These days are gone , will never be touched near them as Band s today dont have half a Light-on

[@C4atm]

Wow!! Loads of live pics there which I haven't seen before and as always with these three, a great three-man sound never before heard or since!! Thanks for putting it together!!

[@ishitshau]

Hendrix's trump card was that he integrated rhythm and lead guitar along with his singing. A fabulous feat. When it comes to just soloing Clapton's precision, speed, and phrasing was far superior to Hendrix. Hendrix fast solos where more of noise and soundscaping, but Clapton soloed like an assassin with the precision of a sniper and the phrasing of a poet. Well that's my take

[@iagobroxado]

Nah, Hendrix could play proper "note runs" faster than anything by Clapton - there are some 1968 live concerts here on youtube where you can actually hear Hendrix doing the super fast "cascading pentatonics" that people mostly associate with Eric Johnson and Joe Bonamassa nowadays. It's just that Cream-era Eric would stretch the reapeating licks for way longer than Hendrix. Hendrix didn't do the repeating licks for long when soloing, he would quickly move into dive bombs, long sustaining fuzz-drenched notes, bends and legato playing way more. Clapton had a way more limited chord and lick knowledge than Hendrix. Oh yes, I'm a huge Clapton fan, have always been I love his style, elegance and tone but in terms of variety of musical vocabulary and composition skills he had nothing on Jimi.

[@dynasticlight1073]

@@iagobroxado Well, described and You are 100 % right.

[@iagobroxado]

@@Dagger_323 Right, play fast pentatonics and double stops all day = master of the instrument. You really made me laugh right now. Don't get me wrong, Eric was great at that, his 66-70 era was my favorite, and he's one of the most influential guitarists on me (and to another million people), but he was nowhere near Hendrix on mastery of the instrument. Ask those guys who where there like Jeff Beck and many others, ask Clapton himself, they both knew Hendrix was way beyond them on every level, instrument alone, and I won't even mention composition skills. And if you disagree it's because you have no notion of what Hendrix actually did and could do.

[@iagobroxado]

@@Dagger_323 Yep, I totally agree on Clapton defining what most of what British Blues Rock came to be, I mean that's a fact and nobody needs to dispute that. But man, the type of string skipping Clapton did was elementary. His scale use, even if fast (I don't think it was that fast at all, even for those times...) - and even if he played for 30 minutes straight at times - was basic - yes, major and minor pentatonics are basic stuff, no matter how you play them, in my opinion, unless you are Eric Johnson. Yes, he did great stuff just using pentatonics, I still agree. However, your mention of it being "always fresh" is relative, I and a bunch of other people would agree that he often repeated himself, using "gimmicks" or no "gimmicks", doesn't matter - even Clapton got tired of that and ditched that playing style. Or rather, I could go on and say Clapton's gimmick was exactly playing those fast repeated licks for 30 minutes. You have to realize that actual playing must not be limited just to "fingers on the scale" as you seem to be implying. Oh, Hendrix was great in retrospect? His contemporaries - yes, some of the most amazing musicians then - thought he was the most effing formidable guitarist. And who did Miles Davis invite for a collab?

[@iagobroxado]

@@Dagger_323 haha I knew that the "challenge" was coming. Man, playing fast pentatonics will never be as hard as playing the variety of stuff Hendrix played. Clapton's best solos IMO are when he went more melodic (Derek and the Dominoes live, Badge, While my Guitar, I Feel Free, etc), and thankfully, he ditched the "play pentatonics all day" style after a couple years. You know why he did that? He thought it wasn't enough, he was embarrased by that repetitive pentatonic playing (at first because Cream didn't have enough songs and later, because that became his gimmick). It's easy for me to improvise over a track like Steppin' Out - the dynamics are cool - Clapton was a master at that and I love his tone, but if you don't have a problem with navigating across the fretboard with minor and major pentatonics anyone with some experience and a decent ear will be able to get close. Now compare Clapton filler pentatonic minutes of soloing to something like Hendrix's Woodstock improvisation, just to mention one example. Combining all those chord changes and the right hand rhythm, playing lead and rhythm at the same time and doing it musically - now that's hard and complex work. Oh, even the people who said Hendrix was all about gimmicks later shut up their mouths. (because early on he really pulled of many of those tricks, which he stopped doing so frequently later on, if you had actually listened to him you would know). John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Robert Fripp, Blackmore, Johnny Winter all these guys loved Hendrix then and saw his geniality (not to mention "rivals" like Beck and Clapton), just to mention a few, so I still don't know why you keep on saying he was a gimmick lol

[@OroborusFMA]

This was more than a half century ago. Think about that. Criticizing a band playing that long ago is like criticizing a car from the 1940s for not having bluetooth, GPS navigation, and power steering.

[@Killadey]

haha brilliant, and true too!

[@zacharybaranek9492]

perfect. Could be the best statement/comment I've read anywhere in a long time.. :)

[@sumphandle]

well put!

[@sevchyk]

OroborusFMA In order to criticize players of SUCH level, it is necessary to attain at least a comparable level of performing mastery.

[@redsfanstan2012]

this band had bluetooth and power steering before they were invented

[@gregorycampbell6393]

Pretty cool stuff. I bet this was pretty explosive live. I think cream was that way. Explosive and they laid down the thunder with Bruce and Baker. I believe Clapton got tired of the power trio. You have to fill so much space every night. It wore him out . He got tired of it with all the high volume and he felt he was just becoming repetitive. He said that in a interview I saw.

[@pumpster999]

Sizzling track....Long Live the Cream!

[@lisaparsons4124]

Awesome group

[@longroadproductions9242]

R.I.P Ginger, you will be missed

[@char8317]

Thank you so much for your great videos. I love them.

[@TheForestmonk]

Most talented guitar player to ever live. Master of timing and grace. For this I refer to Clapton as a Master of Time.

[@bamboosa]

When I was 15 I received my first guitar, having seen Cream twice. I would slow down the Clapton solos to 16 rpms so I could figure them out. This is MY interpretation of slowhand.

[@PRIXIES]

once upon a time there was music.......

[@jackoo666]

damn that tone is immense...I want.

[@kelvinsmith6854]

Yes, and he threw it all away to play that Strat.

[@ronaldsyme8737]

Kelvin Smith I completely agree, his tones with the fool (sg) are amazing. Wish he kept its

[@erictripton]

So precise, love the humbucker through a blasting JTM Marshall. Really the beginning of have your shit together soloing loudly and precisely

[@johnm3850]

I saw cream in the west village on friday and the next nite at the Action House in 1966.Ginger Baker was the first decent drummer I saw with double bass drums.

[@OptimisticDeadman]

Dude, this was a month or more before Fresh Cream was released...awesome

[@robinmabbott7334]

Just 3 guys who got together and played music putting their own interpretation into some blues songs and made them amazing Id never heard anything like it in me life The only other band that came close to cream was the John Mayal band but he needed clapton to make it work . I was there in 68 and it was still the best live performance Ive ever seen I'll be 69 in two weeks

[@josemiguelpallaresdiaz2054]

Músicos de semejante calibre instrumental eran sorprendentes en 1966. Pero no solo virtuosismo. La improvisación es típica del Jazz, pero en R&B resultaba original. 1966! Pienso que jamás ha existido otro trio de semejante nivel técnico y musical.

[@hawkmoon03111951]

Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead. Almost unbelievable that Cream played such a small club above a pub. You could see all these big names at tiny clubs in those days. Sadly gone.

[@dynasticlight1073]

and I seen them at W. Hempstead L.I.-N.Y. unreal..

[@andersolow5509]

Holy sh-t! Slowhand! :-)

[@claptongroupie]

I love this old stuff..Cream was well beyond their time,and the sound they put out with just 3 guys is amazing! thanks for sharing. lol..like the clothes too

[@cmkilcullen8176]

The most jazzy rock improvisation in 1966. Crazy man!

[@ACG1228]

I've been trying to identify this number since I heard it in MEAN STREETS 35 years ago. What a soundtrack.

[@robertpiekosz7470]

That version was from Live Cream Vol. 2. It’s about 18m long

[@BobBenham]

The Greatness of live Cream -- crank it up!

[@uncasist]

I agree about the lack of dynamics, but this is unbelievable playing!!! No comparison to Beano version- Ginger Baker was the furnace behind Clapton's fire. To think humans were playing such advanced electric blues back in '66.... Phew!!!

[@bobbyozb]

+uncasist .....Truth !!

[@TimBirkenholz]

this is siiiiicck

[@doodleedledoo]

I always knew, obviously Clapton can sing and play but I didn't really get what the fuss was about so much, not that I dug particularly deeply but from the hits etc. But I get it. I get it now, very clearly. 21 years old, holy shit!!!

[@uncasist]

Surprisingly good recording. Phenomenal playing!

[@summerscindy1946]

Miss you guys ......was Go Go Girl

[@AntarblueGarneau]

Sheer genius! Thanks!

[@qg3726]

Oh MAN!!.. Killer Instrumental .. Wonder IF fire extinguisher was needed to put out Stage Flames as THOSE Instruments were caught ON FIRE!!@@

[@PBANDSNOW]

This is incredible, im not even a fan and ive listen to this like, 7 times in a row, favourite it, shared it on facebook, liked it, and commented on it, amazing

[@carlobabbini6343]

This & the frying "Meet Me In The Bottom " were both first released on the Dutch boot "A Group Called Cream" with a silly cover of 3 woman &Cream's pix are on the back! I think I smell smoke pouring from E.C.'s amps during this rippin solo -WOW!!

[@allancerf9038]

Some of EC's very finest playing. 1966 was a banner year for British Football, film and music. I know Disraeli Gears is Cream's biggest but I VASTLY prefer Fresh Cream. And...as bootlegs go...this is freaking incredible.

[@yaniskhamsi808]

The better at guitar/music you get, the more you appreciate Clapton.

[@slunky08]

Those "guitar fans" don't really get the meaning of music. Music isn't about competition or "who's best?" attitude. Music is an artform and is for enjoyment. Who cares if somebody plays faster or louder or longest???? Enjoying music is just about taste and opinions and usually it's most about great songs, that sometimes beautiful instrumental solos and passages either heighten or destroy....

[@barrydaws4602]

Totally agree with you since 1968, I have been listening to some amazing music. Not that everyone will agree with me, music is a pleasure no one can replace. Or agree on it's not the Olympics.

[@mikelawrence6840]

this is my fave cream recording clapton is insane on this one

[@polymath7]

@Triumph72 A fact indeed, and Hendrix is indeed the greatest electric guitarist whoever lived (as close to a fact as an evaluative aesthetic opinion can be) but I know of no *single* performance by Hendrix or anyone else that tops this. As far as I can see this is just as good as it gets.

[@deathwarmedup73]

Drivin' South jam on the BBC sessions ?

[@hankbat5149]

"just because you know a lot of chords and can play them real fast, doesn't mean your a good musician" Aunt Bee (yes, that Aunt Bee) >but these men have and always will be a trinity. Superb<

[@PurpleAndZeppelin]

MY WORDS ARE FINISHED FOR CREAM HERE. INCREDIBLE, AWESOME, STRATOSPHERICS, AMAZING: one of the best groups in history When Claton was authentic. When Eric was Clapton. When Clapton was clapton. When Clapton was a musician.

[@Capk115]

Pure. Fluid. Stunning. For me, this performance speaks for itself as it stands the test of time (54 years as of this post). The plain fact that the debate (as to which guitarist is the GOAT) has endured for nearly as long renders it pointless.

[@beldar123]

Man, great version! He plays some stuff between 3:05 and 3:08 I have NEVER heard him play before or since. Totally on fire!!

[@ohiovalley2815]

It's hard reading the comments sometimes on the KZbin video 'When Hendrix Met Clapton'. People watching that rah rah Hendrix video and bashing Clapton's talent. I think too many guitar fans are skipping trying to understand what Clapton did in his early twenties. So Many live Cream songs are amazing, powerful, fast and innovative.

[@bumperu]

the BBC= Baker, Bruce and Clapton.

[@aschneider70]

.... and the modern guitar playing born! Gee!!! Now you know from where the heavy metal came. This is the mos blistering Clapton perform I ever heard.

[@craigp2008a]

this was one of my favorites on the blues breakers and also whenever cream did it. Eric really played with passion in those days!

[@jakerandall123]

@rwm48 Agreed. Clapton Is GOD of Music.

[@ray2022]

Eric stays within his framework of hard blues chopping away, admirably. We heard the same records here stateside, Hubert Sumlin, Freddie King. Hendrix however had in him more than blues tradition he had on the road r and b experience more chord variations and then stepped outside strict framing, went out of this world to soundscape territory. THAT's The difference from a musician's perspective.