Royal Albert Hall in London: After a 37 year hiatus, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker got together for four shows this week.
I felt like a young person again at the first show (Monday, May 2nd) - cannot remember when I last went to a rock show that was this big; I've been mostly to small jazz and blues shows since my late 20's.
The lads did it! They played not like 20-somethings (were loose, no posing, laughed a lot, Eric and Jack fumbled some lyrics) but not like 60-somethings, either (crisp instrumental breaks, their voices held up well, Ginger was a dynamo) and played - with one encore - just under 2 hours. I was surprised that they took no intermission; might have been worthwhile to keep their stamina up. Jack is still recuperating from a liver transplant; sat down for parts of songs that he was not singing on.
It was just the three of them: no opening act, no guest musicians, just playing the Great Cream Songbook, only one song not in their old repertoire (Stormy Monday). A DVD is being filmed of these performances (cameramen all over the venue); should be available later this year.
Song list:
-----------
I'm So Glad
Spoonful
Outside Women Blues
Pressed Rat & Warthog(!!)
Sleepy Time Time
NSU
Badge
Politician
Sweet Wine
Rollin' & Tumblin' (Jack on harmonica)
Stormy Monday
Deserted Cities of the Heart
Born Under a Bad Sign
We're Going Wrong
Crossroads
Sittin' On Top of the World
White Room
Toad (6-minute solo from Ginger)
Encore: Sunshine of Your Love
