Just 3 guys playing. No tricks, no edits, no added anything. Just the 3 greatest British blues rock artists ever! Jack, Eric and Ginger. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done.
The video is an edited version of Crossroads from the Cream farewell performance at the Royal Albert Hall video mixed with the audio performance of live at Winterland from the Cream Wheels of Fire album.
I watched a video of Jack Bruce in his own words the music of cream was mostly Jaz music and some blues but being that Jack Bruce wrote most of the songs and sang them ,Eric only sang on a few songs and that is the way it was .
People who grew up in the pre-electric era said the same about electric guitars/basses, light shows, etc. S'all just personal opinion...imo, of course.
Totally agree with this and have been saying this for decades. True story: when the album had just come out, late 1968, I was listening to a mainstream (AM) radio broadcast of it. When the DJ came on after this song was over, he just sighed and said, "I can't believe what I just heard. I have to play that again". And he did. Never heard that happen before or since.
Eric and I have grown old together. The biggest difference is he's one of the Greatest guitar players of all time and I'm just and old dude who loves 60's and 70's music
I saw Cream live in Toronto at Massey Hall in June 1968 then went to meet Eric Clapton at the Royal York Hotel, Id been a Clapton fan since John Mayal and the Bluesbreakers and the Yardbirds. We watched Bobby Kenned assassination on the news June 6 the day after the concert. Eric was amazing a total gentleman, he told me about his life as a kid and drew me a doodle and gave me his autograph. I treasure this. Still listening all these years later makes me happy.
Growing up with the best music ever recorded has certainly given my generation a musical edge never seen before, and never to be seen again. Thank you mi hermano Antonio Cuevas for sharing this timeless music.
Imagine there are idiots who say Clapton is overrated. I'm not saying he's the best, but man, it doesn't get any better than this. His phrasing and timing is out of this world.
I's only need three notes to name that tune! From the History Of or Best Of compilation ? Back when the business hacks were still thinking product and viability versus artistry and longevity. That bass performance just gets better with age don't it! I believe one of Eric's earliest singing or singing live... Mind Time Capsules. Gracias Antonio!
@@YYZed12 EC is such a brilliant blues rock lead guitar player, hes so pure never deviates from the ethos, and some of his timing and licks are just exceptional.
I'm 70 now. All these years later, this music still makes my heart pound. Jack Bruce was my biggest influence playing and learning Bass. Man those were the raw days of music to be sure.
That's just unbelievable. Three guys producing a sound that's never been rivaled. They were all masters of their craft and their recordings will always live on.
Yeah I love that sound I'm a guitar player I remember one of my bass player brought that up to me she act Bruce is a monster that that sound right there like Grand Funk Railroad and Black Sabbath you know keys are Butler he was at monster too you know but these guys play with the store soon Jack Bruce is a monster I love this sound that's how that's how we played my bass player's past man and I ain't been right since I can't play no more and then Eddie Eddie Van Halen died I'm done I'm done
While Clapton is outstanding on this tune, my hat is off to Jack Bruce on this song. Quite simply a killer bass effort by Bruce here. Absolute genius playing. Busy when it needs to be but never overplayed. RIP Jack
@@chipurBillWhite Applause gentlemen. Great comments. You can hear in this clip the way they all lifted each other up from a player's perspective. Fantastic.
in '68 I was 14: after getting that album, I convinced my parents to buy me a bass and a fender bassman amp(the big speaker cabinet) and tried to become Jack Bruce- of course I sucked, but I was so loud...shed a few tears of joy watching that-
Cream was the perfect storm. Three of the most talented musicians of that day came together to create perfection. Their rendition of Crossroads was, in my humble opinion, the pinnacle of their work.
Eric's solos were so fresh and energetic back then. This live version is exploding with energy and tight as it could possibly be. What a song, what a group, what a time!
@@petertimpson9378 huh? are you seriously informing me that this isn't technically a live version because it was recorded at a live performance in 68. You left an apostrophe out of "it's" BTW. And by your logic you should have said "as great as it WAS live". By saying as great as it IS live you are making the same mistake you claim I am making.
I was at the Farewell To Cream concert at The Royal Albert Hall ( London ), one of the best nights of my life, and I'm 75 now, so I've had a few nights.
@@peteosinga8845 These were the years where he was a true "gunslinger" - fast fingers, raging emotions, his playing reflected the turbulent times of the 60's. Now, in his 70's, he knows how to play within himself, but doesn't have the testosterone to rip it like the old days. Hell, I'm 71 and I can appreciate that.
@@syourke3 ..lol..that was a great movie...so sorry he passed ..he was a great drummer i learned so much from him his rhythm was unsurpassed..Cheers 🍻🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
one technical and with feeling guitarist, one amazingly talented and fast bassist, and one volatile jazz inspired drummer... making a huge sound that would take 4 or five artists today to fill. Still unmatched today.
The greatest set ever played. Two Jazzmen and a blues guitar player. The anti-band. 3 musical phenoms at the height of their powers. Each riffing and creating individually, yet in harmony. We will never see their like again.
Grew up playing power trio Cream and Hendrix at 18. I'm 74 now and still love this music and still play it occasionally. Jack Bruce one of the greatest bassist ever.
right on compare my comments above. great minds like ours, think alike: "on the second break, the man lost contact with earth! He took off to realms hitherto unvisited, unknown. He blasts off and takes us with him, a glad and privileged bunch shaking their heads-- not in time but in wonder. It has lost NONE of its power, edge, force or fury. "
Loved them! 73 now and would not trade when I grew for anything! Saw their farewell tour and still have my ticket stub. I knew I was listening and seeing rock history. Love love love.
I've heard this cut dozens, if not hundreds, of times, and I think just now is the first time I really heard what was said about Ginger but never really got before. He's the one who really held Cream together, especially when Eric was soloing and Jack was flying around on the bass. At any given moment, Ginger's lines tied Eric and Jack together. He certainly never restricted himself to timekeeping - his lines changed moment by moment, and if hadn't done that the whole sound would have collapsed. Awesome, all of them individually and as a unit.
No Crap! These three gave birth to hordes of guitar and drum players. I learned everything Eric played...put the records on 16RPM and pulled out each note. To this day, I still play their songs. Bravo!
Thanks for doing the math for me. No calculators were needed back then but none were needed. A simpler time when musicians could relax and enjoy their groupies.
I am with you...bought it in '68 and I was 19 also! (Now 70)! I used to practice my drumming to the albums 'Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears & Wheels of Fire'.
Got to say me too! Great great song and untouchable guitar work. Nice sidebar: they gave credit to Robert Johnson, the writer of the song. Many groups from that era, didn't give credit to the old Bluesmen that wrote a lot of those songs.
@@georgemaynard7604 that's spot on, but unavoidably because blues genre was long before our time. i was also 18 in '68 and had the greatest time of all!
The fact that Clapton was this good over 50 years ago is mind boggling. He was at a level even then that is unattainable to most people and he was only 23 when this album was released.
The master at the peak of his powers. Since then his output, and the quality and breadth of his playing and writing has been nothing short of phenomenal. But the fire in his belly on that night when he played THAT solo has never been surpassed by anyone including himself. An iconic piece of rock and blues guitar history. It's frighteningly moving.
Fucccc yea , its crazy to think this is from a live show , just imagine being derr seing clapton all 3 of dem going fuccin insanee ❗🤘🏽 but especially clapton just imagine seing him up on dat stage on fuccing fire making history pumpin out one of if not the best guitar solo ever 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽❗❗💪🏽💪🏽
@@Technaudio way cool Nik!! My brother graduated in '68, 7 years b4 me. Thank goodness I listened to all his good albums while he was out partying!! This jam is timeless!! May ur Dad RIP!!
@wayne pitty He was once in a band called Buttercup Jelly with a young, and loud, according to a notebook i have of his gig reviews, Dave Bartram on guitar - who went on to form Showaddywaddy. Then joined another band, Medusa with Bruce Woolley (who co wrote Video Killed The Radio Star) www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/how-classic-hit-video-killed-12645382
This ranks up there as one of the greatest solos of all time. To be able to solo that long with that kind of articulation without repeating the exact same licks over and over but doing two and three variations of the same lick and phrasing, pulling it all together while being cognizant of building momentum throughout the solo to the very end is just phenomenal. Clapton was a true guitar pioneer.
It might surprise you to know that Clapton himself said he messed up during this solo by coming in on the wrong beat at some point. I'm not knowledgeable enough to hear when exactly he did it, because it sounds great to me
Brilliance...we were fortunate, to live in the era of incomparable original and truly gifted artists and musicians...a plethora of excellence, namaste'
In my opinion this was the crowning moment for Clapton. Not John Mayhalls Blues Breakers, Not Blind Faith, not Derrick And The Dominos or any of his solo work. CREAM with the other members never got to equal that again...
I was so fortunate to see Cream twice in the late sixties. Small venues, great acoustics, wonderful shows. My ex-wife and I are still blown away by what we saw and heard. Our oldest kids(54 & 53) love Cream, Jimi and LZ. Pass it on to the next generation people.
I saw them do this tune in Chicago summer of '68, can not even imagine listening and seeing them in a small venue !!!! I saw Bruce Cockburn in a two different small venues 3 times in Chicago in '78 '80 and 84,but can not imagine Cream in those joints !!!
Absolutely killer rock drummer.....every time some teeny bopper starts in on how incredible Bonzo was, I wait patiently for them to finish and say "Be that as it may, he weren't no Ginger Baker..."
The summer of 1968 was the apex of rock and roll singles . I was 16 then and would keep my radio on all night so I wouldn’t miss any songs, even asleep!
I was born 2 years later and i picked up the guitar at 11- Clapton and the amazing band Cream still sounds fresh. This version is beyond good. Cheers older man :)
@@scottpollack5453 Their complete inability to get along, especially Baker and Bruce, is pretty much a matter of record. It's what broke them up and kept them from doing any reunion tours for 45 years after the breakup.
@@brucetucker4847 Bruce, point well taken! Honestly, I was commenting on how Great they were as a band and you’re right, it’s a shame they didn’t get along or we would probably have many more albums to enjoy!
My first concert in Los Angeles on their Goodbye Tour. Just a kid -$6.50 / 2nd level/3rd row back. Deep Purple opened...Great show. Then just three guys came on next called CREAM and just tore the place up. I had to listen to this tune several times over the years before I could concentrate separately on Jack then Ginger and then Eric to see how monstrous these guys were in power, skill and precision. A rock symphony still to this day at my 70th year. How lucky we all were to witness CREAM in the live !!!
After Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes, and occasional bursts of passion, Clapton became a technician-writing tasteful blues/pop, rarely showing the inspired playing of his early days. This stuff was so great!
Eric Clapton at his very best! In my view, the best guitar solo I ever heard him do!! He made that guitar sound like a violin at times. And now.....he’s the only surviving member of Cream! RIP Jack and Ginger!!
This is not just the best version of a Cream track, it is the best rock track OF ALL TIME barring none and has been my absolute favourite for over 50 years. A sublime combination of drumming, bass, vocal and two soaring riffs that have never been repeated nor surpassed since - nor will they ever be. Perfection. I'm 72 now and it still gives me the shivers.
I may have to agree with you Jeff. Watching them play and hearing what they did - I am so excited to hear this song. As I listened I was thinking that maybe this is my favorite song of all time. Clapton shines of course, but Jack Bruce goes OFF on that bass! I love how they all seem to be doing their own thing, but doing it in sync with each other.
This is the Cream live masterpiece - the second solo part from 2:25 to 3:25 when all three of them take a solo at the same time while yet playing seamlessly together has amazed me since I first heard the Wheels of Fire album
YES. 3 solos simultaneously. I couldn't figure this out way back then but now I get it. I have always thought Cream to be the greatest band ever. Most talent ever.
Well put. I actually hadn't put that together but you're right. Only they could do that so seamlessly, powerfully and yet be so tight. They were so good together, musically.
I was at the show at Winterland in march of 1968. The supporting acts were, James Cotton, the original Blood Sweat and Tears with Al Kopper, and The Saters. Cream made their entrance, walking through the crowd to the stage (Things were a lot loser in those days). And when they began to play "Crossroads", I was frozen in time, I was stunned. I had never before heard anything that sounded like this astounding music! And it was just three musicians! I was 18yrs old, and my mind had just been "Blowen". I never thought of music in the same way, after that night.
Had my mind 'blowen' on the floor at Winterland a few hundred times (and not just from the bands, ha-ha). That's some quality video work there moron, put the camera on Clapton's face when he solo's and then switch back and forth to Ginger & Jack's faces every 3 seconds. What a douche.
I got to see them two sets a night - two nights in a row at the Whiskey A Go Go. Before they had a hit record on their first tour to US......Second night I was on acid. So - they changed my life forever, but as a musician from the 60's - that happened a LOT!
I heard that from a guy who also saw Cream live..., he said it took him, "days to recover!" Imagine most of 'Frisco's Rock Royalty were there..., Mickey Hart said in Ginger Baker's movie(Beware Mr. Baker)that, "these guys were just taking heads!"
![ian - Fit Check (Feat. VonOff1700) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sDGWDBg45Dw/mqdefault.jpg)
I was 19 then & it was GREAT. I'm 74 & it's STILL GREAT
I was thirteen and in eighth grade.
...nothing like it today...so glad I did my undergraduate growing up in the 50s & 60s...then my graduate work in the 70s...
same age BRUCE no better time .....or is it just me lol....stay well
I was 17/18 then and I'm 71/72 now ...how can this be?
@@cortes0505 I was 15 and in 9th grade
Who's watching this 2024?
Me!
Me.
Me bitch!
Me. 1/23/24
1/23 also
I've been dead for several years, but listening to this has brought me back to life.
STAY ALIVE BABY KEEP GETTN IT❤🎉
😂 nothing like a good dose of brilliance to bring you back of the land of the living! Keep it going man!
Glad to hear it!!!
@@lindamcdonald6560 So were my debtors!
yeah
Just 3 guys playing. No tricks, no edits, no added anything. Just the 3 greatest British blues rock artists ever! Jack, Eric and Ginger. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done.
The video is an edited version of Crossroads from the Cream farewell performance at the Royal Albert Hall video mixed with the audio performance of live at Winterland from the Cream Wheels of Fire album.
Thank you for the info.
I watched a video of Jack Bruce in his own words the music of cream was mostly Jaz music and some blues but being that Jack Bruce wrote most of the songs and sang them ,Eric only sang on a few songs and that is the way it was .
In my day I only had a tennis racket to play on, and I thought I was lucky!!
Apart from that pretentious prick Tony Palmer editing the footage like a hyperactive five year old.
The people who watch this in 2024 appreciate very talented musicians who created great music
The six Marshall stacks turned up to “eleven” certainly helped…aside from three legendary musicians…
But they DID blatantly rip off a black blues musician
@@jaya1000 And whom would that be specifically?
@@jaya1000 N'importe quoi!
Incredible musicians!🔥🔥🔥
" We were actually a jazz trio, we just didn't tell Eric " - J. Bruce
That's quite funny.
How can just 3 musicians make sounds like this???? Amazing. Better than the rubbish music nowadays.
All the great rock bands had a perfect synergy together. The Stones, The Who and Zeppelin. The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
It just up and died on us. What a shame eh.
That's what Mozart said.
@@Bebtelovimab Right
Where the f*ck did it go?@@TomokosEnterprize
Jacks bass line has a life of it's own and Ginger is driving this train. What a rhythm section for Eric to lay his riffs into
Not very often that EC is the third best player on stage. I may catch a lot of lack for that - but seriously.
@@michaelgapple1894 No no, all the same, no competition, music's not a race. - seriously
👍
Machine sound!!
agreed, jack & ginger just pummel him. the bass guitar is the real lead
I have been listening to this version of Crossroads for over 40 years and it still gives me chills.
Yep :)
It never grows old on you, it still impresses every time you hear it!
Ginger just a PLOWING that drum kit. I say God dam!
Me too. About 45 years for me.
I first herd this when I was 13yrs old I'm now 65 do the math true power trio instruments amps no filler
3 guys. No computers. No autotune. No synth. No 16 tracks. Just pure music.
People who grew up in the pre-electric era said the same about electric guitars/basses, light shows, etc.
S'all just personal opinion...imo, of course.
Music is and can be many things, rock and roll is but one very small segment of a large universe of creativity and expression.
@@damonlandry7207 Amen...
NO FRETS ON THE Bass......
Like the accusstic stand up bass
In my opinion, the best single song live performance in the history of rock music!
Not going to argue u with you it’s amazing but for me it’s Mick Taylor on YA YA YAS out….just personal preference but Clapton here is truely on fire 🔥
Cant help to think about FREEBIRD, when I see Clapton in this,ronnie vanzant said seeing Clapton in concert was his,favorite 💚❤🧡
Totally agree with this and have been saying this for decades. True story: when the album had just come out, late 1968, I was listening to a mainstream (AM) radio broadcast of it. When the DJ came on after this song was over, he just sighed and said, "I can't believe what I just heard. I have to play that again". And he did. Never heard that happen before or since.
You just can't beat that number! Crossroads live at the Fillmore is one of the greatest songs ever recorded!
You got that right! Listen to that LEAD!...
@@sprokethead Violin vibrato, never been equaled.
The ferocious bass line being laid down by Jack Bruce is a thing of beauty.
Amazing base!!!!
@@veritasetlibertas7889 "... how sweet the sound ..."
JACK BRUCE WAS 1 OF THE TOP 10 BASSISTS IN THE WORLD..NO JACK BRUCE,NO CREAM..
@@lawrencefass9778 Clapton was the worse one in the band and he was NO SLOUCH HAHAHAHAH
STRAIGHT!
A BEAST of a bassline
Eric and I have grown old together. The biggest difference is he's one of the Greatest guitar players of all time and I'm just and old dude who loves 60's and 70's music
This version is a statement to Robert Johnson.
Amen, Dude...
I think that goes for everyone here.
Add one more to that list
Peter green also rip
I saw Cream live in Toronto at Massey Hall in June 1968 then went to meet Eric Clapton at the Royal York Hotel, Id been a Clapton fan since John Mayal and the Bluesbreakers and the Yardbirds. We watched Bobby Kenned assassination on the news June 6 the day after the concert. Eric was amazing a total gentleman, he told me about his life as a kid and drew me a doodle and gave me his autograph. I treasure this. Still listening all these years later makes me happy.
Classic 🎉
Saw it also in june 68 but in Montreal...
The best and worst of times.
Cool u still have it
Cool,you had some connection to get to see him at the hotel or you just waited and got lucky??
Growing up with the best music ever recorded has certainly given my generation a musical edge never seen before, and never to be seen again. Thank you mi hermano Antonio Cuevas for sharing this timeless music.
Yep agree 💯🎸glad I was here to hear this music, legends! Wouldn't like to be a kid these days.
😂glad I was there
@@jimmydean323 I am happy you were able to see the show.
Never gets old - One of the best live performances ever.
The best, IM not so HO
Jack Bruce had such a great voice!
@@chayafuerst9246 True, but this Eric Clapton.
I was 13 and digging it. This editing SUCKS. Like we need rapid zooming in and out of Bakers symbols instead of him playing drums.
This and the Farewell Cream concert at Royal Albert Hall.
It's 54 years later, and that second instrumental break is STILL insane. And the reason the volume control needs an 11. Greatest ever.
Couldn't agree more. So clean and straight at you! Three Guys bringing it!
I have Played Crossroads a LOT of Times via Loudspeakers and Headphones. And, most with me Playing Air Guitar.
Cream of the crop!
The first break is not too shabby either
Couldn’t agree more
There is something very hypnotic about this riff.
if you like this you might like my brother’s music. his name is Stu Morris and 'Daisy' is a good song by him.
Just pure magic!
Imagine there are idiots who say Clapton is overrated. I'm not saying he's the best, but man, it doesn't get any better than this. His phrasing and timing is out of this world.
This in my opinion is Cream's best song. Jack stayed with Eric at that pace and Ginger played like a man possessed.
What a band!
I's only need three notes to name that tune! From the History Of or Best Of compilation ?
Back when the business hacks were still thinking product and viability versus artistry and longevity. That bass performance just gets better with age don't it! I believe one of Eric's earliest singing or singing live... Mind Time Capsules. Gracias Antonio!
yep, this one and white room are the 2 best / most awesome iconic Cream tracks, all 3 guys going off completely.
Strange brew too...
Yeah, my favorite cover
@@YYZed12 EC is such a brilliant blues rock lead guitar player, hes so pure never deviates from the ethos, and some of his timing and licks are just exceptional.
I'm 70 now. All these years later, this music still makes my heart pound. Jack Bruce was my biggest influence playing and learning Bass. Man those were the raw days of music to be sure.
Same here just my friend
Still my favorite three minutes of recorded music, of any kind, since first hearing it in 68.’ Jack Bruce underneath Clapton’s fury is magic.
@@ronaldelliott4373 I have heard this version maybe 1000 times and I'm still in complete awe of Jack Bruce's performance on this
fark he was good...often on fretless and a great singer to boot
Jack Bruce was a genius in my opinion. Clapton and Baker top musos.
Still makes me say; “YEAH “. Saw em in 1968 live. Now it’s December 2023. Still rockin’.
Lucky you !!!!!!!
Let’s see. Two Jazz musicians and a blues guitarist playing at their peaks. Beautiful!!!
at their peak????????? really…….. where you been for the last 50 years LOL..
That's just unbelievable. Three guys producing a sound that's never been rivaled. They were all masters of their craft and their recordings will always live on.
Agreed 👍
Cream was a great trio but I think Rush gives them a run for their money
ruclips.net/video/cmzgNTGwh3M/видео.html
No question about it.
Only rivals really were the JHE
Yeah I love that sound I'm a guitar player I remember one of my bass player brought that up to me she act Bruce is a monster that that sound right there like Grand Funk Railroad and Black Sabbath you know keys are Butler he was at monster too you know but these guys play with the store soon Jack Bruce is a monster I love this sound that's how that's how we played my bass player's past man and I ain't been right since I can't play no more and then Eddie Eddie Van Halen died I'm done I'm done
While Clapton is outstanding on this tune, my hat is off to Jack Bruce on this song. Quite simply a killer bass effort by Bruce here. Absolute genius playing. Busy when it needs to be but never overplayed. RIP Jack
As great as Clapton's solos are, Bruce and Baker hit and hold this amazing groove from the get-go. Chilling.
@@chipurBillWhite Applause gentlemen. Great comments. You can hear in this clip the way they all lifted each other up from a player's perspective. Fantastic.
in '68 I was 14: after getting that album, I convinced my parents to buy me a bass and a fender bassman amp(the big speaker cabinet) and tried to become Jack Bruce- of course I sucked, but I was so loud...shed a few tears of joy watching that-
I would listen to this and rock clean out of my chair. Their soloing had amazing intensity.
Ginger Baker...
I am. I'm 77 soon. My generation. Our music.
Still amazed that just 3 musicians can produce music like this !
Jack Bruce is my favourite bass player of all time ❤
Cream was the perfect storm. Three of the most talented musicians of that day came together to create perfection. Their rendition of Crossroads was, in my humble opinion, the pinnacle of their work.
Spoonful was another Opus Magnum
then Blind Faith
The first supergroup as I remember, it has been awhile. I agree about Crossroads, it's Clapton's magnum opus, I love it.
No Yoko Ono to break up the band. lol
I agree! I heard it first and then someone told me it was a live recording. I couldn't believe it!
The bass playing by Bruce is off the charts, had to watch it over and over again!
Absol agree!
Jack was a classically trained cellist who took up the base. He's the only trained musician in Cream !
As you can see and hear this is pure talent we will never experience this sort of thing again in our lifetime.
I am! Watching and listening I saw them live in Houston in 1969 probably the greatest three man group in history -3 superstar$
In my humble opinion, this is one of THE best live, classic rock guitar solos of all time. RIP Ginger and Jack.
The Best. Nothing better!
@@bobscholl5823 Definitely!!!!!!
Totaly agree
The cameraman obviously didn’t agree with the rest of us .
Absolutely. Clapton's lead is FLAMING hot in this song, dancing all around that blues scale like a flamenco.
Eric's solos were so fresh and energetic back then. This live version is exploding with energy and tight as it could possibly be. What a song, what a group, what a time!
He had Hendrix breathing down his neck, pushing him to these creative heights. When Jimi left us it took the wind from Eric's sails
As great as it is live, you are not watching this audio version live as its recorded at The Winterland Ballroom in 1968.
@@petertimpson9378 huh? are you seriously informing me that this isn't technically a live version because it was recorded at a live performance in 68. You left an apostrophe out of "it's" BTW. And by your logic you should have said "as great as it WAS live". By saying as great as it IS live you are making the same mistake you claim I am making.
@@bigalexg relax buddy, he was just saying that this is not the actual audio of the live performance that is shown on screen, and he's right.
Absolutely one of the best numbers in blues rock history; 3 musicians at the top of their game..
some will disagree but i think this is the most famous track that eric is most famous for,still brilliant after all these years
::Layla has entered the chat::
@@vernonkatz5042 You beat me to it.
This is why they called them CREAM!!! Cream of the musical crop!!
I was at the Farewell To Cream concert at The Royal Albert Hall ( London ), one of the best nights of my life, and I'm 75 now, so I've had a few nights.
I sa a reunion performance from 2005, Eric’s leads sounded like he plays currently, not like this I like this style a lot better
@@peteosinga8845 These were the years where he was a true "gunslinger" - fast fingers, raging emotions, his playing reflected the turbulent times of the 60's. Now, in his 70's, he knows how to play within himself, but doesn't have the testosterone to rip it like the old days. Hell, I'm 71 and I can appreciate that.
1blastman true that, I suppose we morf as we age.....
Have you watched Beware of Mr. Baker? If not, check it out on RUclips. It’s brilliant doc on Ginger Baker. Madman genius drummer.
@@syourke3 ..lol..that was a great movie...so sorry he passed ..he was a great drummer i learned so much from him his rhythm was unsurpassed..Cheers 🍻🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
one technical and with feeling guitarist, one amazingly talented and fast bassist, and one volatile jazz inspired drummer... making a huge sound that would take 4 or five artists today to fill. Still unmatched today.
Clapton is overrated
One of my favourite songs of all time cream at there best.
This is the best performance of Crossroads ever done. I've loved it all my life!
The single greatest live rock performance ever
I must agree!
Agreed! My favorite.
Iam 79 now and still love this power trio along with Jeff Beck who I saw live at the old Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.😮
At 68, still shaking my head and getting goose bumps.
The greatest set ever played. Two Jazzmen and a blues guitar player. The anti-band. 3 musical phenoms at the height of their powers. Each riffing and creating individually, yet in harmony. We will never see their like again.
greatest trio ever.
@@RocketKirchner Emerson , Lake , Palmer ?
@Wayne Green - Rush who? Nope, Cream were the best rock trio ever!
@Andy Butler - In your mind it is!
@Andy Butler de gustibus…
The 2nd guitar solo is absolutly crazy. Evrybody seems to play on its own, but it all fits together. Three masters, kicks since over 50 years ...
That's the real thing
Jack and Ginger are totally in sync with each other
Grew up playing power trio Cream and Hendrix at 18. I'm 74 now and still love this music and still play it occasionally. Jack Bruce one of the greatest bassist ever.
Absolutely amazing that they ever event came together. Listening to this is phenomenal.
Both of Eric´s. solos are things of beauty...his second solo must be one of the greatest ever in Rock!
You no have the drummer, you no have the band….
right on compare my comments above. great minds like ours, think alike: "on the second break, the man lost contact with earth! He took off to realms hitherto unvisited, unknown. He blasts off and takes us with him, a glad and privileged bunch shaking their heads-- not in time but in wonder. It has lost NONE of its power, edge, force or fury. "
I know I'm preachin' to the choir.... but this is pure magic! Unbelievably good, each player in the zone and KILLIN' it! Love me some Cream!!
The Choir never gets tired of it cuz' it is the Truth !!!!!
Boy you sure got that right brother. Great words ! You have a way with em! Thank you !
the choir aren't goin away in a hurry & there are new members joinin all the time !
Just pure baby.
Absolutel pure rock n roll!!!!
Loved them! 73 now and would not trade when I grew for anything! Saw their farewell tour and still have my ticket stub. I knew I was listening and seeing rock history. Love love love.
The best BBC = CREAM!
Baker(RIP), Bruce(RIP) and Clapton.
CREAM fan forever ☮️❤️🎸
Clapton's first solo is the ultimate "set up" solo for the 2nd one, one of the most sublime moments in rock-n-roll history!
It was good back then and fucken good now.
Tesco
He knows exactly where's he's going and he gets there in excellent time because he just takes flight in his solo.
I've been playing it for 35 years and I still can't get enough.
The trio hit a synergy in the 2nd solo; a fugue state.
This is one of the most incredible performances of all time. That guitar solo is unbelievable. The bassline and the drums are tight too.
You bet! Better than the shit today!
Baker rocks!
@@dcfire2222 FUCCCC YEA ❗❗❗🤘🏽 LONG LIVE BAKER ND BRUCE 🤘🏽💯
55 yrs later and still exactly the same level of genius today as then, REAL music 🎶 by REAL musicians 👌🎸🥁🎸🎼🎵🎶
Yes! I shame that the camera man didn't capture more of Clapton's playing...
I've heard this cut dozens, if not hundreds, of times, and I think just now is the first time I really heard what was said about Ginger but never really got before. He's the one who really held Cream together, especially when Eric was soloing and Jack was flying around on the bass. At any given moment, Ginger's lines tied Eric and Jack together. He certainly never restricted himself to timekeeping - his lines changed moment by moment, and if hadn't done that the whole sound would have collapsed. Awesome, all of them individually and as a unit.
This is music history being made right there. It's never been done better.
Definitely one of the most talented groups ever.
@Golfing Guy man they are all so unique by all means why overrated?
@@snowbird3067 different time n genre asshole.(u must b a disco prick).
Individually Cream is unmatched!!
Underrated to people that don't know good music.
Do u know bif flo et goli ?
52 YEARS ago and still unmatched. Legends.
No Crap! These three gave birth to hordes of guitar and drum players. I learned everything Eric played...put the records on 16RPM and pulled out each note. To this day, I still play their songs. Bravo!
@@robertnagy2163 right on!
Wrong. The following year Cream would be surpassed by Led Zeppelin.
@@edwardcoit9748 Indeed Zep was amazing. These guys were just the first... and Eric still cranks out music to this day.
Thanks for doing the math for me. No calculators were needed back then but none were needed. A simpler time when musicians could relax and enjoy their groupies.
I was in Viet Nam in 68' When I first heard this. I bought the Album while on R&R in Hong Kong.
Secret of great music 🎶...
It still sounds great 👍👍👍
This track NEVER fails to blow me away as it has done since I bought "Wheels Of Fire" album in 1968, aged 19.
I am with you...bought it in '68 and I was 19 also! (Now 70)! I used to practice my drumming to the albums 'Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears & Wheels of Fire'.
Same with me. I was 14.
Got to say me too! Great great song and untouchable guitar work. Nice sidebar: they gave credit to Robert Johnson, the writer of the song. Many groups from that era, didn't give credit to the old Bluesmen that wrote a lot of those songs.
@@georgemaynard7604 that's spot on, but unavoidably because blues genre was long before our time. i was also 18 in '68 and had the greatest time of all!
In 1968 i just turned 16 my 1st car and 1st 8 track
The fact that Clapton was this good over 50 years ago is mind boggling. He was at a level even then that is unattainable to most people and he was only 23 when this album was released.
Well said !!!!!
Eric was a virtuoso musician at that time but older guys could not see that through the volume and the frenzied pace they kept.
The master at the peak of his powers. Since then his output, and the quality and breadth of his playing and writing has been nothing short of phenomenal. But the fire in his belly on that night when he played THAT solo has never been surpassed by anyone including himself. An iconic piece of rock and blues guitar history. It's frighteningly moving.
Fucccc yea , its crazy to think this is from a live show , just imagine being derr seing clapton all 3 of dem going fuccin insanee ❗🤘🏽 but especially clapton just imagine seing him up on dat stage on fuccing fire making history pumpin out one of if not the best guitar solo ever 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽❗❗💪🏽💪🏽
The second instrumental break is the best live recording I have ever heard in my life. Perfect timing, incredible musicians...
No mistakes….everything perfect….no re-dubs….no added drum tracks…..Eric's playing is beyond words….beyond words…..❤️🥰😍🎁🎁🙏
Perfect😂🎉
And thinking the studio overdubbing in live concerts were so normal back then
RIP Ginger Baker, Oct. 6, 2019.
A year to the day after my Dad, he once played a gig with Cream, and he said 'Clapton was good, but Ginger Baker was phenomenal'
@wayne pitty yeah, it's pretty cool eh. He had quite a few brushes with fame over the years.
@@Technaudio way cool Nik!! My brother graduated in '68, 7 years b4 me. Thank goodness I listened to all his good albums while he was out partying!! This jam is timeless!! May ur Dad RIP!!
@wayne pitty He was once in a band called Buttercup Jelly with a young, and loud, according to a notebook i have of his gig reviews, Dave Bartram on guitar - who went on to form Showaddywaddy. Then joined another band, Medusa with Bruce Woolley (who co wrote Video Killed The Radio Star) www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/how-classic-hit-video-killed-12645382
Can't believe they didn't show his skills or face much in this video. G, B,!
over 50 years ago and I still love it ,,,,Conan ...old man UK
My most iconic performance and solo ever, absolutely hands down. the CREAM of the crop..Its no coincidence the name
This ranks up there as one of the greatest solos of all time. To be able to solo that long with that kind of articulation without repeating the exact same licks over and over but doing two and three variations of the same lick and phrasing, pulling it all together while being cognizant of building momentum throughout the solo to the very end is just phenomenal. Clapton was a true guitar pioneer.
And it was all worked out. Eric practiced all his solos.
Anthony Maccherone No, it wasn’t worked out. All of his solos were completely improvised.
It might surprise you to know that Clapton himself said he messed up during this solo by coming in on the wrong beat at some point. I'm not knowledgeable enough to hear when exactly he did it, because it sounds great to me
@@IHaggs07 correct
@@marcweeks9178 yeah
All 3 were brilliant. Clapton’s phrasing, technique, and tone here are astonishing. Legend.
Has it been bettered since?
I am 68 and in the 70 there was a radio show starting with this tune, at 4 oclock in the afternoon.
Unforgetable !!
Chicken skin still.......
Brilliance...we were fortunate, to live in the era of incomparable original and truly gifted artists and musicians...a plethora of excellence, namaste'
All three of them at their absolute best! Pure genius.
Eso es futuro
In my opinion this was the crowning moment for Clapton. Not John Mayhalls Blues Breakers, Not Blind Faith, not Derrick And The Dominos or any of his solo work. CREAM with the other members never got to equal that again...
It's Mayall and Derek.Rock Illiteracy running rampant on the internet.
Nope. Clapton peaked with Mayall (pronounced "Mail.") Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was the best LP he ever did.
Damn straight Peter .... this was the best!
To each his own
Agreed.
Cream...slightly before my time, but, SO. DAMN. GOOD. So glad I grew up in the '70's listening to '60's and '70's rock....
I was so fortunate to see Cream twice in the late sixties. Small venues, great acoustics, wonderful shows. My ex-wife and I are still blown away by what we saw and heard. Our oldest kids(54 & 53) love Cream, Jimi and LZ. Pass it on to the next generation people.
I saw them do this tune in Chicago summer of '68, can not even imagine listening and seeing them in a small venue !!!! I saw Bruce Cockburn in a two different small venues 3 times in Chicago in '78 '80 and 84,but can not imagine Cream in those joints !!!
R.I.P Ginger Baker one of the best drummers ever ...
The best! My favorite
Absolutely killer rock drummer.....every time some teeny bopper starts in on how incredible Bonzo was, I wait patiently for them to finish and say "Be that as it may, he weren't no Ginger Baker..."
"One of the best", no the best ever. In my opinion Ginger Baker is only the second best drummer there ever was. Everybody else claims to be the best.
One of the greatest rock solos -- even more amazing that it was performed live. Amazing.
The summer of 1968 was the apex of rock and roll singles . I was 16 then and would keep my radio on all night so I wouldn’t miss any songs, even asleep!
I was born 2 years later and i picked up the guitar at 11- Clapton and the amazing band Cream still sounds fresh. This version is beyond good. Cheers older man :)
I always slept with one ear open.
Yeah we ate and drunk and breathed these songs.
Like the song at the time there was "something in the air" (Thunderclap NEwman).
The Best Three Man Band in the History of Rock Music! PERIOD! Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker…………………..PERFECTION!
Best three man band... but sadly, most toxic trio of human beings.
@@brucetucker4847 That’s your opinion not shared by other people!
@@scottpollack5453 Their complete inability to get along, especially Baker and Bruce, is pretty much a matter of record. It's what broke them up and kept them from doing any reunion tours for 45 years after the breakup.
@@brucetucker4847 Bruce, point well taken! Honestly, I was commenting on how Great they were as a band and you’re right, it’s a shame they didn’t get along or we would probably have many more albums to enjoy!
@@scottpollack5453 Absolutely I'll take Rush any day!!
Greatest short lived band of all time. All 3 members were very talented.
My first concert in Los Angeles on their Goodbye Tour. Just a kid -$6.50 / 2nd level/3rd row back. Deep Purple opened...Great show. Then just three guys came on next called CREAM and just tore the place up. I had to listen to this tune several times over the years before I could concentrate separately on Jack then Ginger and then Eric to see how monstrous these guys were in power, skill and precision. A rock symphony still to this day at my 70th year. How lucky we all were to witness CREAM in the live !!!
Unequivocally the greatest rock band that ever graced the world with their talent .
RIP Jack , Ginger......
Thankyou for those brief years .....
This was the defining moment for Cream. Holy Hell. This launched a million guitar slingers and I'm of them!
And Clapton was only 22-23 years old in this performance!
After Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes, and occasional bursts of passion, Clapton became a technician-writing tasteful blues/pop, rarely showing the inspired playing of his early days. This stuff was so great!
What do you think changed his style
THAT vibrato alone brings me "on my knees"... every time I listen to this piece, I'm energized.. best blues rock piece of all time.
Eric Clapton at his very best! In my view, the best guitar solo I ever heard him do!! He made that guitar sound like a violin at times. And now.....he’s the only surviving member of Cream! RIP Jack and Ginger!!
He sure was laying it down…people still trying to copy him…
@@rustymullins6623 Absolutely!👍
Best Crossroads version there is.
That footage is from the Farewell Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, in Nov. `68. The track was recorded in Mar., San Fran. Killer anyway you put it!
classic stuff and classic performance, loved it for 50 years and till the day I die.
In my opinion THE BEST Eric Clapton performance ever.
This is not just the best version of a Cream track, it is the best rock track OF ALL TIME barring none and has been my absolute favourite for over 50 years.
A sublime combination of drumming, bass, vocal and two soaring riffs that have never been repeated nor surpassed since - nor will they ever be. Perfection. I'm 72 now and it still gives me the shivers.
Ditto Jeff. THe best ever.
Well put
I may have to agree with you Jeff. Watching them play and hearing what they did - I am so excited to hear this song. As I listened I was thinking that maybe this is my favorite song of all time. Clapton shines of course, but Jack Bruce goes OFF on that bass! I love how they all seem to be doing their own thing, but doing it in sync with each other.
Me too...
Over 50yrs old and still sends shivers down my back!
67yrs old and still sends shivers down my back and I STILL can't get enough
I'm 67 and still listen to this song repeatedly, along with Badge, sunshine of your love and White Room. Doesn't get much better.
Likewise;over 70 years old!...
@@ericgenrey5157 Me too 74 years old.
Me too
RIP, Jack. This was my favorite group in high school. I saw them live once, I'll never forget it.
Go on Ginger Jack Eric, give it some!! Thanks for this, nice to see the original for a change.
かっこいい～！こんなの見れちゃうなんてRUclipsはやっぱり素晴らしい😀
This is the Cream live masterpiece - the second solo part from 2:25 to 3:25 when all three of them take a solo at the same time while yet playing seamlessly together has amazed me since I first heard the Wheels of Fire album
YES. 3 solos simultaneously. I couldn't figure this out way back then but now I get it. I have always thought Cream to be the greatest band ever. Most talent ever.
Pure Magic
Well put. I actually hadn't put that together but you're right. Only they could do that so seamlessly, powerfully and yet be so tight. They were so good together, musically.
It doesn’t get much better than this.
This is pure. Where it all started.
I was at the show at Winterland in march of 1968. The supporting acts were, James Cotton, the original Blood Sweat and Tears with Al Kopper, and The Saters. Cream made their entrance, walking through the crowd to the stage (Things were a lot loser in those days). And when they began to play "Crossroads", I was frozen in time, I was stunned. I had never before heard anything that sounded like this astounding music! And it was just three musicians! I was 18yrs old, and my mind had just been "Blowen". I never thought of music in the same way, after that night.
Had my mind 'blowen' on the floor at Winterland a few hundred times (and not just from the bands, ha-ha). That's some quality video work there moron, put the camera on Clapton's face when he solo's and then switch back and forth to Ginger & Jack's faces every 3 seconds. What a douche.
I got to see them two sets a night - two nights in a row at the Whiskey A Go Go. Before they had a hit record on their first tour to US......Second night I was on acid. So - they changed my life forever, but as a musician from the 60's - that happened a LOT!
I heard that from a guy who also saw Cream live..., he said it took him, "days to recover!" Imagine most of 'Frisco's Rock Royalty were there..., Mickey Hart said in Ginger Baker's movie(Beware Mr. Baker)that, "these guys were just taking heads!"
@@xtremenortherner I wouldn't know? They weren't that royal in those days.
You lucky man.
It don't get better than this. 3 great musicians at their peak complimenting one another. Killer bass line