Wheels Of Fire: When Cream Crashed and Burned｜Vinyl Monday

[@abigaildevoe]

edit: the RNRC was definitely in december, this timeline is very hard to keep straight. what’s your favorite cream song? comment below!

[@Episcor]

Those were the days

[@sherondapramusog]

Easy tie between swalbr and desert cities of the heart

[@josemaria8177]

Tales of Brave Ulysses, Strange Brew, I Feel Free, Sunshine of Your Love and White Room

[@sherondapramusog]

Oh pressed rat and warthog is just so English it's crazy

[@36karpatoruski]

White Room

[@josemaria8177]

Considering Eric Clapton's , Jack Bruce's and Ginger Baker's personalities, it's frankly a miracle that Cream lasted as long as it did. Also, White Room is one of the most atmospheric songs ever and it bothers me that it doesn't appear in more soundtracks

[@AdvenuringTime]

Cream really was it. It doesn’t get much better

[@bert0522]

I saw Cream in 1968, Clapton and Baker in Blind Faith in 1969 and Bruce with Ringo Starr in 1996. Never was disappointed. Jim

[@starshiptrooper7670]

@@bert0522 Cream in '68. Did Yes open the show?

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Like many, many bands of that era, drugs, alcohol and egos didn't help. Two more years would've been a blessing for sure. Thank goodness for the reunion shows in 2005! And the DVD. ☮

[@TheGenreman]

As you said is the deep cut classic on this album

[@themoviedealers]

Cream was lightning in a bottle

[@craigplanting8804]

I like "silver horses ran down moonbeams in your dark eyes."

[@johnnyalegreworkplace8065]

Jack Bruce was a true genius.

[@konowd]

When Ginger Baker was near the end, I joked that Satan was terrified of spending eternity with him

[@abigaildevoe]

i think that's why ginger lived so long. that unhinged MF and his cane struck fear into the hearts of all other demons, including me - do you have any idea how hard it is for me to be scared of a MAN??

[@konowd]

Like one of his exes said in the Beware of Mr Baker documentary, the devil takes care of his own

[@itlw999]

“Big bad woman gonna carry me to my grave” 🎸

[@danielfuentes3226]

"Wheels of Fire" is a classic masterpiece a great album of all time and a super trio of the 60's and a great influence for other bands today.

[@thedrugstorecowboy2948]

My favorite Cream album mostly because i enjoy the experimentation with the studio disc and the complete chaos of the live disc

[@randydoak6638]

White Room. It’s the song they opened with when I saw them at the Oakland Coliseum. I was 14 years old and my mom kindly gave us a ride to the gig and picked us up when it was over

[@willowufgood261]

They released a few shows on cd from the goodbye tour. The Oakland show was one of them

[@paulshaum3421]

@@willowufgood261that versions one of my favorites on the album

[@faiqlatif3122]

beautiful hair !!

[@dennismason3740]

Crossrads Blues, Robert Johnson, Eric blew our minds.

[@detroitfunk313]

The performance which includes "Tales of Brave Ulysses" at the Grande Ballroom was just a few weeks after the 1967 riots which destroyed Detroit so badly that it is still recovering almost 60 years later.

[@ronny-2112]

An excellent album just like the previous two, I love all their albums. Cream was one of the first 10 Rock bands I ever listened to as a child, thanks to my parents and their record collection. The first album I listened to was the double 1972's "Heavy Cream" on vinyl, then in 1995 I bought "The Very Best Of Cream" on CD (I still have both) and then the other studio albums. I learned a lot from Eric Clapton's interviews in guitar magazines where he talked non-stop about his influences. He was the first one I saw talking about great underrated guitarists like Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Albert King, Bonnie Raitt, Mike Bloomfield, and Hound Dog Taylor. I am very grateful to Clapton for teaching us about guitar techniques, how to have a good tone on the guitar, Ginger Baker for teaching us new paths where the drums would be the protagonist, as well as Keith Moon (The Who) and Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience), and the great talent of Jack Bruce as a bassist and composer and also for introducing me to discovering the Blues from the 1920's to the 1970's.

[@Gearhart_Music]

Aughhh! One of my favorite 60's hairstyles! Stop making me fall in love with you girl! (lol)

[@FeelingShred]

I can barely focus on what she's saying I have to rewind the video multiple times 🤣🤣which okay gives me the bonus to see her for a few extra minutes 🤣🤣

[@DKentization]

I always thought the similarities between the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream were glaring. We know Eric was blown away by Buddy Guy's trio, pushing him in that direction. But in the studio both the Experience and Cream were so damn creative. They both had amazing recording engineers. Jack's and Jimi's material were breath taking. And from their live recorded history, having never seen either groups live, makes me feel like you left their shows... Drained! I remember buying Wheels in Dec. of 68. I Initially was grabbed by side 1 but over time side 2 was my ultimate favorite. Thanks Abbey, loved your research and review.

[@jordanrivers7736]

Felix Pappalardi, not just a great name and great producer. He was a great instrumentalist, bass player and vocalist. His on-stage chemistry with the late great Leslie West propelled Mountain into the position of worthy successor to Cream. Mountain’s “Climbing” would be a good choice for a V.M. episode.

[@alanclayton9277]

I love nantucket sleighride, bit unexpected from a heavy rock band

[@malcshone4409]

Or “ Nantucket Sleighride “!

[@daledavidson8242]

He also had the good sense to record Theme for an Imaginary Western, that Clapton refused allow on Goodbye Cream.

[@alanclayton9277]

@@daledavidson8242 badge, which i love, wasn't a typical cream track and theme for an imaginary western would have been a great inclusion. it found a home on songs for a tailor an album full of adventure and good titles, never tell your mother she's out of tune being another!

[@seed_drill7135]

Sadly, he was Phil Hartmaned.

[@jlovebirch]

Another thoroughly fun and perceptive review. Am consistently amazed by the enthusiasm and detailed research from someone who wasn't even born when most of this music came out. I wish more young people were as well informed about the great music of the 60s and 70s.

[@dennismason3740]

Felix Pappalardi played bass in a band called Mountain (Mississippi Queen), whom I saw in 1972. Zappa and Johnny and Edgar Winter were on the bill. A calliope is a pipe organ, usually associated with circus music. I wore out Wheels of Fire in a year in 1968. I saw Cream on their farewell tour and recorded the concert on my miniature reel to reel, holding a mic on a stick to hold it above the crowd. A friend of my mom's stole the tape to make a bootleg. I was 15. I play As You Said, Crossroads and a few other nuggets regularly from Wheels (and Fresh Cream and Disraeli Gears). Cream and Jimi and B.B. taught me to play guitar.

[@ChromeDestiny]

My dad saw Mountain and The Who in a small venue in Toronto in the late 60's, he's says he lost a good chunk of his hearing at those shows.

[@dennismason3740]

@@ChromeDestiny - I was at a lot of concerts in the 60s-70s and I learned this: If you stand next to the P.A. or the Marshall stacks your hearing might get damaged. Maybe your dad was making a joke? Ask Pete Townshend, who has zero hearing in one of his ears. You could literally go deaf but you had to work at it. Sperm whales are the loudest (known) creature on Earth and are capable of turning a human's insides into jelly.

[@objetty11]

Hmmmm, wondering what a feral Abigail is like. Looking forward to Jimi . Dig your style, Aloha

[@popplace4]

I loved the way Eric would paint himself in a corner and always get out of it and start a new diversion. Cream were one of the best of the 60's

[@randallpinkfloyd]

The home to my 3 personal favorite Cream songs, Sitting On Top Of The World, Politician, and Born Under A Bad Sign

[@ZachariahJ]

Good choices! Love the 'violin' duet on Politician!

[@danwilder695]

Thank You for breaking down the musicianship on those albums. Three virtuosos in the same band. After camping out on the west coast that spring and summer none of the bands were the same. Clapton remarked that they were just listening to the wrong records. From then on extended jams and drum solos were almost expected. You Rock!!

[@5118eman]

Abby you are The Queen of Album reviews keep up the good work .

[@RGRG3232]

Another home run with this episode Abby. You nailed the whole look and feel of that era (the hair especially). Really great info throughout.

[@ericfultz9429]

the hairstyle is fab

[@richardlloyd5519]

Really enjoyed this one, THANKS! I have been a massive Cream fan since, at 13 years old, I walked into a "Woolworth's" (We called these dime stores) and found "Wheels Of Fire" AND "Electric Ladyland" in the record bins. I had $12.00 or so burning a hole in my pocket from washing neighborhood cars. I knew some older kids had been talking about Cream and Hendrix, so OK. These were my first Cream and Hendrix albums. Wow. Life changer. Had to find their back catalogs over the next couple of months. Unfortunately, I was playing these on a portable Zenith all in one, but at least it was actual stereo. As a young guitar player, I discovered the concept of jamming...Voodoo Chile and Spoonful blew all of my fuses. Loved everything else, too. Hard to pick favorites ; ) Yes, there was some subjectively goofy stuff, but in those days, it was just part of the whole.....we didn't have "Playlists" until cassette recorders came out a few years later. And Jann Wenner just got this one SO wrong!

[@JimiHendrix-es4lv]

Your presentation is excellent, but what I really appreciate is your level of research. Now I know the connection between WOF live and the Live Cream LPs. I learned to play guitar basically by copying Eric on LC vol 2.

[@rockisrad3088]

You’re my favorite creator on this platform. Even if it’s a video where I’m not particularly familiar with the album, I’ll still watch because you keep every video entertaining. Monday is now my favorite week day because of Vinyl Monday. The formula is great! It’s a crime your channel isn’t more well known, but I’m glad it’s growing gradually. Never stop being funny, entertaining, informative and making great content! Also! Next year you should do a Vinyl Monday on either Kaleidoscope 1967 (UK band) S/T, and/or Gandalf 1969 S/T

[@stratman1021]

Oh hell yea Crossroads is my favorite of all Cream. It's always been a favorite to play (Or jam) with a band or just at a jam session. Me and my bro recorded our own instrumental version of this and for sure that second solo is quite the barnburner even though Eric stays parked in the 17th position in A minor pentatonic. It really takes some stamina to play it right. Funny story. My earliest memory of Cream is about when I was five y/o ('69) and I remember being sick in bed and my brothers playing Cream in the same room hearing White Room and then me suddenly getting up and puking up orange juice. lol! That's how I remember it. Actually I'd have to say it's a tossup (No pun intended) between Crossroads and Badge of my faves. On Badge Eric absolutely pours his heart out on that solo! Gives me goosebumps. Abbie I so love your breakdown of all these great classics! Keep them coming!

[@SethLooks]

At the end of one of the live tracks in the audience cheering you can head a guy yell “YEAH!” That’s my dad.

[@leesnider4363]

Those Were the Days is a fantastic song; great pacing, great vocals. Your backstories are really interesting and fun. I love them -- well worth the time.

[@timtaylor9307]

You're take on this album is fantastically awesome. Just started watching and I'm hooked. Deserted Cities of the Heart. ... My thoughts exactly

[@amandagerrish5892]

Good review of one of my favorite 60s albums. I agree with most of your comments. (However, I think I like "Those were the Days" better than you do, apparently.) Interesting personal story about Cream: On September 9, 1967, Cream played Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. I was there. I was 15 yrs old, already a huge Cream fan, and this was my first ever attendance at a rock concert. I arrived a bit early to the university gymnasium (where the band was scheduled to play), and witnessed some roadies pounding nails into the gymnasium floor to anchor down Ginger Baker's drums. The band didn't play on a stage, just right out there on the floor with the crowd. (This was the 60s. Things were different.) The crowd was light -- maybe a few hundred people, at most -- probably because 'Disraeli Gears' had not yet been released, and 'Fresh Cream' hadn't sold well. So, not many people even knew of Cream. The concert itself was terrific. The band opened with "Tales of Brave Ulysses", which was the only song that I recognized (from hearing on the radio). I stood to the side of the band (instead of in front) so that I could get a little closer to the band while remaining somewhat inconspicuous. Clapton's virtuoso guitar playing was something kinda new in rock music, so, as a budding guitar player, I wanted to see his guitar wizardry up close, if possible. Never again was I able to get so close to rock stars while they were playing.

[@AlexAlex-ny3mz]

Love "Deserted Cities of the Heart", Especially the version on "Live Cream Volume II", Ginger's drumming is amazing!

[@DannerPlace]

Your background research is really awesome.

[@RobertERensch]

I bought Wheels at Gray’s Drugstore in ‘69. I was going on 16 years old. I was also in my second year of drum lessons. I quickly became a lifelong Cream fan. I have several copies on vinyl of each of their albums. (The Polydor pressings sound much better than the ATCO ones.) I never thought Cream got good engineering. Their first two records are clearly meant to be monaural. Love to find a clean Reaction label mono of Fresh Cream. Couldn’t afford it, probably. Have you ever listened to any of Jack’s solo albums? I recommend his first two, with the second, Harmony Row, being best. Unless you love trad jazz, Things We Like might be a rough go. It was released between Songs for a Tailor and Harmony Row, but even I don’t put it there, as the recordings were done when Cream was still hanging on. I think you’ve done a good, fair review. Of course, I love this album! Thanks! ✌️

[@TheDevilsBusiness]

Having grown up in the 60's and 70's I like your reviews, but I love your clothes and hair also. And you as presented.

[@creeder44]

Cream was more my older brother's music, but I always liked "White Room" and "Tales of Brave Ulysses," and I remember having a cassette of "Disraeli Gears," which really undermined the awe of the album art. But the band will always be important to me because they were part of a milestone in my life. A friend owned a record store in Dallas in the late '80s, and he hired a teenager to work there. One day, he was stacking cassettes and he cracked up laughing. I asked him what was so funny. He said, "It's just this band name. It's so stupid." The name: "Cream." That was the very moment I realized I was getting older because it was the first time I got that inevitable feeling that the younger generation were ignoramuses. BTW, Abby, thank you for restoring my faith in them.

[@ianemery4355]

Yes my favourite Cream album the Jack Bruce/ Pete Brown combination was Creams main writing team! Always ignore old Rolling Stone magazine reviews they have all been changed anyway! Rolling Stone Magazine was the guy on the Internet you don't listen to!! Great review Abi saw a documentary about Ginger Baker a nasty piece of work but a wonderful talent as well!

[@georgemathie8123]

White room is my all time favorite cream song and shows off every members powers and Jack bruce got even better after cream with his solo work, his collaborations with Leslie West and Corky Laing, robin trower and numerous session appearances one of classic rock's finest bass players and vocalists

[@ConglomerationCat]

Fantastic review and analysis.... Really, really well done. And certainly not an easy one to say the least. "As You Said" was apparently a tuning that Jack Bruce got from Ritchie Havens.

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

Two such icon albums from cream. Gears and wheels are the best.

[@michaelpeuplie6464]

AXIS 😍😍😍😍 Another fantastic episode. Also, for anyone that hadn't seen the documentary"Beware of Mr.Baker", Jack and Gingers fights were so bad, it escalated to Ginger pulling a knife on Jack (or the other way around). Furthermore, when they reunited in '05, Jack and Ginger fought live on stage on the last show in NY because Ginger said Jack had his amp cranked far too loud and that was that.

[@notsomagnificentpaul]

😂.. “Beware of Mr Baker” is funny .. Ginger starts fighting with the camera crew in the first 30 seconds .. such a screwball 🎉

[@michaelpeuplie6464]

@notsomagnificentpaul there's so much stuff thats not in the movie, such as him getting fucked over and having all but a few horses taken and him having to leave south Africa. There's footage on KZbin if you can find it.

[@jltrem]

The amazing Ms. Abby does it again, informs an old guy who lived through the birth of this music a whole lot that he never knew about it but thought he did, such as the infamous Haeco CSG process was used on WOF when he thought it had only been used on Neil Young's first solo album as well as other revelations. I swear this girl got here through a time warp. By the way, nice Patti Boyd hair today, Ms. Devoe.

[@bigdambluesband6295]

Are you old geezers who were teenagers in the '60s like me falling in love with this girl too?

[@shemanic1]

I love your in-depth reviews & humour, it would be interesting to know how big your vinyl collection is.

[@Pablo668]

Omg…you said Australia! You’ve heard of us! Love your work. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I love Cream, I was a bit of an odd man out listening to them when I was a teenager in the 80’s.

[@soulhealer20]

I really enjoyed this one. It was one of the records that gave me a ton of learning material for playing guitar, singing, even playing bass and drums for a kick, and for songwriting. Crossroads wins every time for favorite. The guitar solos are my bible of electric guitar playing.

[@tompease8810]

Your favorites matched my favorites on this album your reviews were eye opening AND Entertaining and interesting Thanks

[@dabhidhm4093]

Aw crap. I really love Disraeli Gears, sorry to hear you've fallen out with it.

[@kenjohnston1257]

It's your daughter breaking up with the guy you wanted to be your son in law

[@richardbooth6063]

You pretty much nailed the reason that I like this album. It contains more variety and stylings than most albums. Back in the day when the single of “White Room” was on the radio the last set of lyrics was cut out and the solo abridged. So that part still sounds strange to me even now. “Sitting on Top of the World” and “Born Under a Bad Sign” and “Crossroads” are also great. “Politician” is very much like “Crossroader” with Mountain. I always thought Mountain to be the little brother to Cream. But there was only one Cream !! I just listened to “Deserted Cities of the Heart” and I get what you were saying…this is an awesome track !! And I went to my boxes of old albums and found my copy of Wheels of Fire…it’s in perfect condition. I think I bought it back in the ‘80’s but I’m not sure. Thanks for a nice half hour about this amazing album !!😊

[@puffysnowball2261]

It continues to blow my mind how much you know and can intelligently talk about so many of the albums I bought when they came out. And like you (although with a far longer time span), I got a much greater appreciation for WOF years later. I played DCOTM and TWTD non-stop for a week upon rediscovery.

[@alanjerram9258]

In '69 ATCO released a "best of" album in the US that was a decent compilation. It had a white background with a bunch of vegetables on the front. It sounds like a horrible visual, but it sort of worked. I suspect it's a famous painting of some sort. My 13-year old virgin ears - and mind - were blown away by White Room. It was so different than anything else playing on the radio. Really mysterious. Sidenote, in college I was in a choir that performed a piece that ended slowly with a chord voicing that produced the same exact overtones you hear during the end of that trippy White Room 5/4 section. I always looked forward to rehearsing that because it was uncanny how similar the sound was. Your commentary is great.

[@smaz9]

Your videos just keep getting better. This might be a bit late, but congrats on 25K subs! Your content has helped me get through this roller coaster of a year, and I hope that you continue to provide the internet with your endless knowledge on the musical universe. Keep it up!

[@sjbang5764]

Wonderful insightful review, Abby. Wheels of Fire was my introduction to Cream. I was 16 years old when I heard it. At that time, I was listening to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Bob Dylan, and, well you get the picture. None of those bands ever did long songs or raging guitar solos. (Well Mr. Dylan did long songs, but there were vocals). So, hearing this guy, Eric Clapton play guitar the way he did was so amazing to my mind and ears. Mr. Clapton's improvising skills were formidable. Anyway, I really dug Wheels of Fire, and it still holds a special place in my heart. It's been 100 years since I've listened to it, but still. As far as the studio album went, there were some nice songs on it, but Cream in the studio just didn't really knock me out. Again, thanks for your incisive thoughts and opinions.

[@Tomloser4321]

Thanks Abigail for your incredible presentations. I feel edified somehow each time I view one of your shows.

[@alanclayton9277]

saw the play that rock n' roll episode. women writing themselves into history rather than being written out of it. your contribution A was crucial in getting bebe in particular talking about the concept of the muse and the etiquette question, starting the conversation about people's behaviour within that culture. she's lovely.

[@Tomloser4321]

I still listen to "Toad" full blast on vinyl and SACD to this day. Loved seeing the boys in SF during their 1968 tour.

[@abigaildevoe]

wait did you go to THE SF show from THE 68 tour? the one that's on this album?

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

The Cream's 1968 San Diego concert can be streamed on KZbin Music: music.kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_mRqeTg0PakOI4rOgnXsuqyi--7vJqSYYw

[@Tomloser4321]

@@abigaildevoe Yes...............although I don't remember seeing any recording equipment. I saw them in both Venues.....Winterland Auditorium and the Carasol (sp?) ball room

[@worksbydandeprez]

Richard Thompson's version of "White Room" is worth a listen too.

[@JPproductions303]

Already a good video and it ain’t even start yet

[@kennyjohnson336]

Live Cream is a guitar masterpiece.

[@fbt25]

That album cover is beautiful on shiny silver. And the plum/orange label is the cake's cherry.

[@bobburroughs6241]

The live 'Crossroads' typifies the band live and remains a top ten favourite. Heard first on the John Peel show where I always had reel to reel at the ready. Rushed across the road to ask a friend if he'd heard it! The double album was bought on import. We saw them at London's Saville theatre supported by the Bonzos. It was loud!

[@TheStrongBoyz19]

Love Cream as much as Derek and the Dominos. Disraeli Gears is my personal favourite, but this album does feature brilliant virtuosity and variety with some of their strongest songs. Great video once again! :)

[@danielhamby9448]

The intro to Passing the Time was badass

[@rapson672]

I was a kid but remember seeing Savage 7 two times at the drive-in back when they would have 2 or 3 shows a nite.

[@ESPEEandERIE]

I attended one of the Winterland shows where three of the songs were recorded for "Wheels of Fire". "Crossroads" is still etched in my mind with Eric Clapton's blistering guitar solo. The entire concert was amazing.

[@konowd]

As a human being, Ginger Baker was a great drummer

[@dannydine5263]

He had a good side. But yeah, his bad side was well documented. I'm glad Kofi and him made up before Ginger passed. Kofi still has a lot of love for him despite the bad times.

[@konowd]

He had a good side? Haven’t seeen any evidence of one. Talent and character often don’t reside in the same place

[@dannydine5263]

@@konowd He was capable of having compassion for friends who were in a bad way on occasion. Believe it or not, he cried when he heard that Jack passed away according to his family. He did look pretty upset at the funeral. He dedicated a lot of money to an animal ward in South Africa. Most people who new Ginger didn't hate him all the way around because they also had a lot of good times with him. That includes Jack, Eric, his children, his ex-wife whom he was also very upset when she passed away, the fellow musicians he's played with through the years, and even Jay who made the Documentary and has stated more than once that he was grateful for Ginger. And of course, all these people had disparaging things to say about him as well. He could be a real prick on a fairly regular basis but a lot of pricks have a good side to them as well. His children still have love for him and that's important.

[@konowd]

If his kid did reconcile with him he’s very brave to do that.

[@konowd]

A lot of talented people have the halo effect, the brilliance of their art makes a lot of people overlook their serious character defects

[@johnhitz1185]

Clapton did an interview in Gallery at the time in which he said he was shaken by a Rolling Stone reviewer who called him a purveyor of ",blues cliches". This was a fascinating review Abby. Wheels is my favorite Cream album and "Deserted Cities" is also my favorite track. Not clear on what you didn't like about "Those Were the Days" aside from the bells, bells, bells. I like the echoplex on the solo.

[@abigaildevoe]

that reviewer was jon landau! amazing how one college kid's review completely changed the course of clapton's career. TWTD just never stuck out to me for any positive or negative reason. could be better but it suffers from the same clutter problem a lot of this album does

[@AlexAlex-ny3mz]

I love the song "Theme For an Imaginery Western" Especially the version by Mountain on "Woodstock Two" and sang by Felix Papillardi. The Jack Bruce version (who wrote it with Pete Brown) is great as is the version by Colosseum.

[@jmfloyd23]

Abby, this is one of your best reviews! Very informative and entertaining! You should be podcasting this!

[@FeelingShred]

from August to June for the album to be released? I would never imagine such a long time... this channel helps learn new details to old stories, that's awesome 🤘

[@jamesnock5572]

You have assembled a fine body of work with your reviews so far and still so many more to come....🦂

[@sugadelicsavagesoul8623]

Surprised Fresh Cream never entered the chat! Might quite possibly be my favorite Cream album. And if the Monkees's HEAD ever gets reviewed it'll be a contender for the shiniest silver cover with this one!

[@nordland2235]

Tiny purple fishes Run laughing through your fingers And you want to take her with you To the hard land of the winter

[@peterjetnikoff]

This was one of the records I begged off my eldest brother as I was ploughing through '60s music. Cream was one of those names that was passed down at least one generation for reverence. Like Jethro Tull and Yes they were admired as a kind of qualification rather than listened to. The big epic of White Room was familiar to me from occasional radio play so I wanted to hear more of that. The rest of it was too grown up for me. Some of it too airy and some of it more bluesy than I could handle. I actually thought Those Were the Days would be a heavy version of the Mary Hopkin Song! Listening back now, it sounds like a progression from Disraeli Gears by a band looking to increase its pallet but retain its signature sound. This, of course, was the gold cover Australian single disc version and in 1977 had already been played at too many parties. I'm glad I went back to it and washed away that false impression (i.e. White Room plus a lot of noodley blues) thanks to this video. Much appreciated.

[@fernandoluzuriagaacosta5338]

My favorite Cream record, White Room is a classic, Politician is early metal , and I love the live show LP (Yes, even the 17 minute Toad).

[@MacgyverMike1]

Great video I always love cream all 4 albums are very good I'm jealous that you own an Atco pressing of the album I have the rso reissue but my favorite Clapton project will always be Layla but cream is my 2nd favorite white room is my favorite on the album great video Abby ❤❤❤ and congrats on the interview with Bebe Buell that's awesome Joe is awesome keep it up Abby ❤❤❤ have a good thanksgiving

[@alanclayton9277]

the close ups really do justice to the artwork here. i like lovely ginger's playing a lot on WOF and i really want to dislike him a lot (i can do both!) the drums kick seismically on Deserted and toad is complex and subtle. that's not fair ginger. as you said is a bruce showcase that points to his good solo album songs for a tailor. clapton's autobio didn't really endear him to me but at this time in his career when he's plugging in an sg or a 335 im in awe. as with green it's control over the strings that works. a shout out for pappalardi's own outfit mountain a big sounding classic rock unit.

[@PhilSmithRHR]

Great work Abi. 🤩 I learnt a lot from this one, so thank you.

[@davidfont2513]

I first heard Wheels of Fire in mid 1970 and bought my double album copy in 1973 when it was reissued. I was (and still am) a Cream freak....I used to drive my flatmates crazy playing Wheels of Fire and Live Cream with the volume on the stereo set at 11. Ahhhhh! Those were the days (yes they were!). Looking back I realize now the album was Born under a Bad Sign and the occupants, Pressed Rat and Warthog, were about to pull cross the black curtains and close down their shop and enter an uncertain future in their Deserted Cities of the Heart. Wheels of Fire was an epitaph...Goodbye Cream was the death spiral. However there were many subsequent imitations....some good...some not so. Check out Jack Bruce's Songs for a Tailor LP to get some idea of what may have happened if Cream continued...without killing each other.

[@markconnors9941]

What an incredible review!!! Such a great album I wanted to at least check out a bit of what was said about it. But I couldn’t tear myself away from it! Super interesting and informative. I’ll be back for more next Monday!

[@1504Shawn]

YEEEEEESSSSS, CREAM We need a Disraeli Gears vinyl monday now

[@bewareofzealots]

I always learn so much from you! Thanks, Abby! Love these Cream albums.

[@DonaldGibson-dy4wv]

I love the drums on: Dance the night away. That song must be about Shangrala.

[@Welovefelixtoe]

The UK original wheels of fire LP came with the silver foil cover(same as the u.s version you are showing).It was issued as a double LP set and also as two separate issues(live & in the studio-black & silver covers). The reason for this was the record company had complaints from some customers the the price of the double was too expensive so it was issued as two single albums for this reason.The Who's Tommy received the same treatment Bizarre but true ! Keep up the good work abby.

[@abigaildevoe]

thanks for the context!

[@Welovefelixtoe]

No problem.Keep up the good work !

[@johnwelch5132]

Badge is my favourite. But I Feel Free was my fave when I was a kid.

[@fallandbounce]

I have a Vietnamese bootleg copy of this, sold to GI's during the war. It has a mimeographed paper cover, but it still sounds great. Deserted Cities of the Heart is a favorite.

[@abigaildevoe]

@@fallandbounce those albums are so cool!! i have GI youngbloods and nancy sinatra. passed up a jefferson airplane and have been kicking myself ever since!

[@fallandbounce]

@@abigaildevoe Olympic Records on Wickenden St. in Providence has a crate or two of them, over to the left, before the register. I know I saw a couple of Airplanes that weren't Surrealistic Pillow or Worst of, though they had them, too (as of two weeks ago). They go for $10.

[@onsenkuma1979]

My favourite Cream album and one of my favourite albums from '68 - a banner year for blues rock and the emergence of hard rock. I was all of 13 at the time, so it's really interesting to hear your take. As ever, very entertaining Ms. Devoe...

[@Chromexus]

Bruce went on to compose and perform one of the greatest lps ever made IMO. "Harmony Row". Pete Brown was a brilliant lyricist as well. Deserted Cities and "As you Said" were precursors

[@brandonfields7827]

Yet another awesome review!!

[@leebridenstine2806]

Was never too much into Cream, but White Room is one of the coolest songs ever to this day..I could spend hours in it's surreal monochromatic vibe

[@kristofftaylovoski60]

At the party, she was kindness in the hard crowd Consolation for the old wound now forgotten Effing sublime..

[@ChromeDestiny]

I tend to like Cream on best of compilations the most, the double album Heavy Cream being my favourite and most in depth (big points for having the excellent As You Said from the studio half of Wheels of Fire) and the concise Strange Brew from the early 80's and The Very Best of Cream from the mid 90's which is kind of in the sweet spot in the middle of those other two comps. My dad had Wheels of Fire, I found a lot of the live half to be over indulgent but I really like the live version of NSU from Live Cream volume 1 and I'm So Glad from Goodbye Cream.

[@timnil]

Thanks Abby, that was great. I remember getting the chunky double CD version in college and pouring over the liner notes. Well, squinting at them really, LP sized notes reduced for CD suffered a bit!

[@nickhamlyn2458]

Yes there were two separate discs in the UK, but only after the initial release of the double LP, looking very similar to your US pressing.

[@devans873]

it's really odd that last week i bought a used CD of this very album on Ebay and i saw your show and am listing to it as we speak

[@thoughtman]

hello- there exists a rolling stone magazine archive on dvd roms. i saw an inexpensive set on ebay. i don't know if they would still work, but it might be worth checking out. who knows? the Vanderbilt university library seems to have an archive too. good luck. Calliope (music)An American and Canadian large, steam-powered musical instrument

[@jubei7259]

I remember seeing an interview with Jack Bruce where he said Eric thought he was in a Blues band but really he was in a Jazz band with both Jack & Ginger. They just didn't tell Eric lol

[@birdzzzondayflu2489]

@@jubei7259 what year was that interview from?

[@jubei7259]

@@birdzzzondayflu2489 I'm guessing some time in the 90's? It was in some documentary about the band

[@gamezharks]

Y'know I've gained a certain enjoyment of Clapton through this show, I was never a big Clapton guy before I was more about Hendrix and Rory Gallagher. Also the mention of Felix Papalardi makes me interested in an episode on Mountain, Climbing is actually a damn fine debut record.