CREAM was rock's first true "super group". Combining the extraordinary talents of ERIC CLAPTON, GINGER BAKER and JACK BRUCE, this power trio became the template for many hard rock acts of the seventies. The band remains a ... more »huge influence on the genre even to this day. Powered by hits such as "Strange Brew" and "Sunshine of Your Love", Cream's second album, DISRAELI GEARS, moved the band beyond the blues into hard-driving, psychedelic pop. This was the album that not only broke the group in the United States but also established Clapton as an international superstar. This addition of Disraeli Gears to the acclaimed Classic Albums series features brand new interviews with Clapton, Baker and Bruce, along with lyricist Pete Brown, Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, John Mayall and Manfred Mann. Also included on the DVD are acoustic performances, original studio tracks and archival live footage. Tracklisting:
1. Strange Brew
2. Sunshine Of Your Love
3. World Of Pain
4. Dance The Night Away
5. Blue Condition
6. Tales Of Brave Ulysses
7. S.W.L.A.B.R.
8. We're Going Wrong
9. Outside Woman Blues
10. Take It Back
11. Mother's Lament Bonus Features:
? Additional interviews and analysis of the tracks.
? EXCLUSIVE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCES of "Sunshine Of Your Love" and "Outside Woman Blues" by ERIC CLAPTON.
? EXCLUSIVE SOLO PIANO PERFORMANCE of "We're Going Wrong" by JACK BRUCE.
? PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED FULL LIVE PERFORMANCES of "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" from the Revolution Club in 1968 and "We're Going Wrong" from Paris in 1967.« less
I'm not much for music documentaries but the way the evolution of Cream songs was pretty incredible and how Eric Clapton went on to make so much more great music. A must for Clapton and Cream fans!
Movie Reviews
Very Insightful DVD
Eric | Texas | 04/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm sure most of the people who are reading this are familiar with the Classic Albums series. I knew what to expect before watching it but I was pleasantly suprised. The information on the history of Cream and how they progressed with Disraeli Gears in the studio was great. All of the major players (that were still alive) were interviewed. The footage that was available was amazing. The only piece that I hadn't seen was of the song "We're Going Wrong". It was live and in black and white. The band was pretty intense. Bruce's vocals were great as always, Baker was a colossus, but it was Clapton who really impressed me. He was playing like a madman and was looking intense. I recommend this DVD to any fan of Cream. It is a great companion DVD for anyone who bought the reunion show."
Muscular & Funky....Cream's Masterpiece
Glen Ramirez | Massachusetts | 04/20/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Of all the video products out on Cream, this is by far the best. The music from this all-time classic album is 5+ stars. Once you view this, you get a whole new perspective on the album and its individual songs (much like other "Classic Album" series DVD's). I now enjoy my CD of this landmark album that much more after listening to the story behind songs such as "We're Going Wrong", "World of Pain" and "SWLABR" ("she was like a bearded rainbow"). It was primarily the songs that were not as famous that amazed me on this program. Most of the primary players that were involved in the making of this album are fortunately still alive and on hand to discuss their memories (including the talented artist that created the famous album cover). Eric's introduction to the "wah-wah" petal helped make "Tales of Brave Ulysses" a favorite back in 1967. It was also interesting to hear about some of their influential peers (Clapton mentions "The Loving Spoonful" as one). They have pulled together some great classic black & white and color footage on this DVD. The bonus track for "Tales of Brave Ulysses" is an incredible fully restored color vintage performance!
Audio: 4.5 stars
Video: 5 stars (new footage); 3-3.5 stars (old footage)
Bonus features: 5 Stars
If you enjoy Cream, late 60's rock or any of the "Classic Album" DVD's you won't go wrong. Well priced too!"
If you're not a fan, this will make you one!
Rick Bulwicz | Central Jersey | 04/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is by far the best vintage Cream video, and probably the best of the Classic Album series.
The story behind the making of the record and the band at that time is excellent material and fun stuff to know. With info about the recording of each song on Disreali Gears, this DVD gives us an insight into the mysterious and unknown side of the band that made such great music among all of the hype and media attention.
The original footage of the band is priceless. Cream video is very rare, although there seems to be a pile of it hidden somewhere.
As a bonus, the video of the bandmembers doing the old songs now is just another treat.
This is mezmerizing to watch and long overdue."
A MUST SEE for every young rock musician & every serious roc
BVSC fanatic | United States | 08/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD is very, VERY captivating and you will find yourself watching it over and over and over. It tends to have that effect on people. Also, it presents an interesting history of CREAM. These guys were fated to play together, and were on top of their game when they WERE together. CREAM's early disbandment was a pity, and their recent reunion 37 years later is one of the happiest events of my life.
As a drummer myself, no one has ever inspired me quite the way that Ginger Baker does with his uniquely creative style, and CREAM is my favorite group in rock history. These recently made DVD's [this one and the 2005 Reunion] leave me weeping when I realize how nearly the opportunity to produce them might have been missed. Jack Bruce was close to death in 2003 from liver cancer. The recent live footage of all three CREAM members is, to me, a treasure.
This DVD incorporates both vintage footage and recent interviews, using those to weave a fascincating history of the Disraeli Gears album. Here we learn that Felix Papalardi [a brilliant musician who had played bass with Mountain] was very instrumental in the production of this album. We learn the history of the songs and the album cover.
Sadly, we also learn that the brass at Atlantic records apparently viewed CREAM as a group starring Eric Clapton as front man with a rhythm section behind him. In truth, the members of CREAM cannot be separated in this way, and I cannot help but suspect that this concept went far to create unnecessary tension that helped lead [among many other factors] to CREAM's premature demise in 1969. Just a theory, of course. For in CREAM, there truly was no front man. CREAM was three musicians from a blues & jazz background who fed off of each other musically, making music somewhat of a conversation between three individuals. It is a style that I love to hear, and also to experience as a musician myself.