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 .
Yes to this fact there is no doubt. I weep for my youth . My musical life starting with the Beatles and before that Motown. It was magical. I watched The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1963 when I was 10 and I knew a new day was unfolding. Eric Clapton taught me how to play guitar. Every band was like a different color.
@@spazmonkey3815 I remember getting up in the morning for school and the radio in our kitchen playing a brand new single by the Fab 4 one better than the other. I remember hearing “Sunshine Of Your Love” and thinking wow what a great song. All have withstood the test of time, and are timeless.
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.
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.
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
I was that guy.! I'm 71 now and played in the local boys brigade band for a while, I was pretty nifty with the drums but started playing guitar after listening to Eric. They don't make bands like this anymore.
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.
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.
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.
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-
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 🍻🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Right, except that this was actually recorded at Winterland in San Francisco a few blocks away on the corner of Sutter and Steiner Streets. The reason they labeled it "Live at the Fillmore" was for marketing purposes. They knew that everybody knew that the Fillmore Auditorium at that time was the absolute peak of rock/blues music, and they wanted to emphasize that this was where Cream played, which was true in any case. Just not this particular version of Crossroads. HOWEVER, the Fillmore Auditorium is not to be confused with the Fillmore West. To further add to the confusion as to where and when exactly this track was recorded, Cream never actually played at the Fillmore West because it didn't exist in March 1968. They DID, however, play at the Fillmore Auditorium that March. The Fillmore West actually opened later that year in June, at a nearby location that had previously been known as the Carousel Ballroom. Also, there were some reports that this version of Crossroads was edited down from a much longer version, and that only the best parts of solos were cherry picked and spliced to make it sound like they were a spontaneous recording. Both these notions are completely untrue. This was the typical length of the song as Cream performed it, and this version was indeed the one the band played during the early show at Winterland on March 10, 1968. To say this was a magical time in the life of Cream would be a massive understatement. This was when Cream was at the very peak of their extraordinary powers, and that amply explains why this version of Crossroads in particular etched such a deep and lasting impression on the psyche of so many people who heard this at that time, or people who were there. I know I am very glad to say that I was 14 years old at the time, vividly remember hearing this and being completely blown away by it, and have listened to it repeatedly ever since. It STILL sends shivers up and down my spine even though I have probably listened to it (and learned to play it note for note) many thousands of times, and I know I'm not the only one who can say that.
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. "
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.
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.
This is it! Perfection. NOTHING today comes close. This is guts, superb musicianship, just total R & R. Pity those that did not grow up in the '70's and have to suffer the crap that is about today. RIP Rock & Roll.
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've been listening to Eric Clapton since I was in Junior high. I've when my brother got me the first Cream Album well I was hooked. Still listening to him now in 2024. I'm 69 and he is 11 years older than me. I love you Eric Clapton I always will. 😘☺️💖💙🎸🎶🙏💕
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!"
Brilliance...we were fortunate, to live in the era of incomparable original and truly gifted artists and musicians...a plethora of excellence, namaste'
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 !!!
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.
@@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
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 :)
Had the great opportunity to see Cream a number of times at the Fillmore. I believe their first show was with a young Charlie Musselwhite. Sometimes I'd go twice in a 3 show weekend. It's fun to relive those days a bit, but of course it's nothing like the live thing was.
The thing about Clapton that makes him timeless is it just isn’t about shredding. It’s not just speed. It’s tasteful. It’s music. He hits his rhythms perfectly. He never screws up and never has to vamp or rescue himself.
I couldn't agree more. What seems straightforward [a blues solo], is fraught with musical difficulties in reality. Thousands do it quite well, or very well. There is only one Eric Clapton.
Precisely .Mpst shredding is mechanical noise to me. I easily listen to this over and over and am lifted up repeatedly at the same points in Eric s solo. I love how Gingers hi-hat accentuates Claptons bend of (the A string?) the main riff. Jack prob. helps out there too
The word which describes the type of playing is "melodic"... complimenting..variations of timing and different types of "Melody movement"...ascending .. descending..alternating..in varied mathematical patterns...=MELODIC"...Yes my good friend...Like you said "TASTEFUL"...VS..Predictable BORING FINGER TAPPING ARPPEGIOS...
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.
Man, I was a 16 year old from Oregon , living next to an Indian Reservation in Central Oregon. Visited aunts and uncles and cousins in San Francisco in 68. I stayed in San Mateo, Ca. for the summer of 1968 with cousins. My cousin and I rode his motorcycle to the Fillmore West a number of times during that summer. I was blown away by the new bands, Steppen Wolf, Country Joe, Grateful Dead, Santana, Beautiful Day, it just seemed like a dream thinking back and saying to myself, I really was there!
@@markdrouin8094 Thanks for the comment Mark.Much appreciated. I was stunned at seeing so many beautiful girls in San Francisco that summer. They didn`t seem to like clothes very much, and they appeared to like hanging out with really shaggy unkempt dudes! I never did get it,LOL.
@@Alex-et5tj LOL..Don`t get me started on what direction the political wind is blowing at the present time. I lived with Indians,I went to school with Indians,I rode school buses ,where I was one of three white kids on a bus with all Indian kids. My neighbors were Indian, my best friends, Randy and Tony [last names deleted] were full Indian.[Randy dated my sister as well]. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs called themselves Indians, my sister`s boy friend was Indian, my first girl friend was a Cree Indian.She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.She stopped traffic she was so pretty. I love Indian history,intertwined with American History. The time frame was early 1960`s. You guys have been listening to too many leftist proffs and bought this absurdity of fixating on labels and moniquers. Indians have severe issues on most Rez, relating to endemic health, lack of job opportunities, addictions, alcoholism, missing or lost teenage girls that know one seems to be at issue with officially. You can call them "First Nation", "Native American", or your term..."Indigenous". It changes nothing. The Indians I knew and grew up with would laugh at the various terms "whites" thought proper to call them. With everyone focused on Illegal immigrants,violence in Black communities and the left doing it`s best to divide and segregate all Americans into classes,and colors and "we versus them" tribal segmentation , I would just ask them all if they read "sign language".
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 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽❗❗💪🏽💪🏽
I saw Cream so many times in the 60s mostly at local venues behind pubs such as The Cooks Ferry Inn - The Blues Rooms at The Angel Edmonton and Manor House. And at their farewell concert at The Royal Albert Hall. Totally Amazing
It’s unbelievable how Eric has this uncanny ability to concentrate with great memory hit every note without missing a beat , and achieve a great tone . A great gift .
I'm sad that Jack is gone, but I listen to his music just about every day, and I'm 72 yrs. old, and came of age with the music of Cream. What a wonderful legacy to leave for us who love his music.
'Was' extremely talented, unfortunately. A true master of the bass, his vocal ability was of the same high level. Only Eric Clapton is still in the mix of earth's game.
I first heard this in 1968 when I was 17 and it reached out and grabbed me by the balls and has never let go. Clapton was light years ahead of his time with this Guitar solo...and still is.
@@anthonywilkins3947 Hendrix could only wish he had the ability and style to play like this Remember. He flew from the US to England in 1967 unannounced just to jam with Cream. Hendrix Ouote ; Best band I ever heard in my life . Class Act. The rest is history.
To me this is the definitive version of crossroads. Possibly the finest performance of a power trio that ever walked the face of the earth. wish I could say the same for the camera work.
Hi Doug and agree with everything you have written. If I'm not mistaken there is a lack of synchronization between audio and video here, caused by the fact that although the audio is from the Winterland concert, the video images are from the 1968 Albert Hall London concert. Both performances of the highest order.
without doubt, a terrific performance - but I agree, the camera work is pathetic. like so many wonderful performances in the 60's the camera operators used way too much zoom instead of letting the viewer see the band work together.
My favorite rendition of Crossroads, but I hate how the video editors wouldn't let you see the fingers at work on the fretboards. That is where the essence of the song eminates!
That's because the video is from a different performance, as no video of that particular rendition exists (a tragedy). However, whomever did the video did an excellent job working with another version of the song , or maybe even some snippets from a different song but from the same time period...an excellent job, indeed.
@@silverfishimperetrix4818 then it was the cameraman's fault. The whole movie, not just this song was nothing but in and out focus, zooming in and out and quick cuts, make it almost unwatchable.
I get that it's synched in, but most all videos of the era avoided letting the viewer see the fretwork going on. Guess they were afraid I was going to become another Clapton and cut into his royalties 😎
I was a kid in the 60s and I first heard this song on the radio around 1969 or '70 I guess, and after that every time I heard it starting to play on the radio I'd get a huge rush up my spine and I'd run over and crank that sucker up! I've NEVER gotten tired of Clapton's playing on this number it's a perfectly sustained and executed solo that just keeps building and building. Of course he had the twin jet propulsion of the best bassist and drummer in rock at the time pushing him harder and harder. Eric was 'the kid' in Cream and he learned a lot from those two legends.
@@Rinus-et6qs oh yes you did! You have perfectly descriped what I want to say about this version of crossroads. This is by far the most perfect version. This masterpiece is also my ringtone.
This is without doubt the greatest rock performance of a three man group that there ever was. Clapton, Bruce and Baker may individually be bested at their crafts, but together, this was was greatest three man band performance of all time.
I’ve seen several interviews with Slow Hand and he seems mystified by our adulation of this song. He brushes it off and says he doesn’t remember much about it being special. It, to me is one of the very best examples of a rocking, rock and roll song! They were the best power trio in the history of rock, IMHO . Jack Bruce ‘s bass playing along with EC ‘s and the incredible drumming of Ginger Baker will forever put THIS song in the hearts of rock music fans until the end of time ! Thank You Cream !!!
Every time that I hear this song, it sets my soul on fire! exactly the same way that" Fire",by Hendrix does! Ever since I was a kid, when I heard them all those years ago!!
Jeff Tippett - I think he downplays it in an attempt to make his later solo career achievements look better by comparison. If he admits, truthfully, that this was his peak, everything else is, by definition, inferior in some way.
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'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
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
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.
I’m 73 and my generation grew up with the greatest music.
Yes to this fact there is no doubt.
I weep for my youth .
My musical life starting with the Beatles and before that Motown.
It was magical.
I watched The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1963 when I was 10 and I knew a new day was unfolding.
Eric Clapton taught me how to play guitar.
Every band was like a different color.
@@spazmonkey3815 I remember getting up in the morning for school and the radio in our kitchen playing a brand new single by the Fab 4 one better than the other. I remember hearing “Sunshine Of Your Love” and thinking wow what a great song. All have withstood the test of time, and are timeless.
1000000% Im only 52 and am jealous af. I wish I would have been in my prime back then.
@@kaptkrunchfpv Rock On!
Didn't we though, no comparison to the computer gen. Stuff of today. What would you expect of the children of the greatest generation !
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
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
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
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!🔥🔥🔥
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
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
" We were actually a jazz trio, we just didn't tell Eric " - J. Bruce
That's quite funny.
where did you hear that? LOL
@@vgfxworks In an interview, you can probably find it on YT
@@calstongroup any clue of where to look for?
I think Eric knew.
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??
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.
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
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.
How lucky were those of us who grew up with this music? Magical times.
I was that guy.! I'm 71 now and played in the local boys brigade band for a while, I was pretty nifty with the drums but started playing guitar after listening to Eric. They don't make bands like this anymore.
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.
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
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
Still makes me say; “YEAH “. Saw em in 1968 live. Now it’s December 2023. Still rockin’.
Lucky you !!!!!!!
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!
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...
This is why they called them CREAM!!! Cream of the musical crop!!
One of the best live guitar solos ever. The bass is amazing and the drumming petite.
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 🍻🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
As you can see and hear this is pure talent we will never experience this sort of thing again in our lifetime.
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😀
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 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
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.
I was there that night, and it also changed my life. What a time to be alive. I was 19 and now I’m 75 still have this eight track somewhere
Right, except that this was actually recorded at Winterland in San Francisco a few blocks away on the corner of Sutter and Steiner Streets. The reason they labeled it "Live at the Fillmore" was for marketing purposes. They knew that everybody knew that the Fillmore Auditorium at that time was the absolute peak of rock/blues music, and they wanted to emphasize that this was where Cream played, which was true in any case. Just not this particular version of Crossroads.
HOWEVER, the Fillmore Auditorium is not to be confused with the Fillmore West. To further add to the confusion as to where and when exactly this track was recorded, Cream never actually played at the Fillmore West because it didn't exist in March 1968. They DID, however, play at the Fillmore Auditorium that March. The Fillmore West actually opened later that year in June, at a nearby location that had previously been known as the Carousel Ballroom. Also, there were some reports that this version of Crossroads was edited down from a much longer version, and that only the best parts of solos were cherry picked and spliced to make it sound like they were a spontaneous recording. Both these notions are completely untrue. This was the typical length of the song as Cream performed it, and this version was indeed the one the band played during the early show at Winterland on March 10, 1968. To say this was a magical time in the life of Cream would be a massive understatement. This was when Cream was at the very peak of their extraordinary powers, and that amply explains why this version of Crossroads in particular etched such a deep and lasting impression on the psyche of so many people who heard this at that time, or people who were there. I know I am very glad to say that I was 14 years old at the time, vividly remember hearing this and being completely blown away by it, and have listened to it repeatedly ever since. It STILL sends shivers up and down my spine even though I have probably listened to it (and learned to play it note for note) many thousands of times, and I know I'm not the only one who can say that.
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..
Still amazed that just 3 musicians can produce music like this !
Jack Bruce is my favourite bass player of all time ❤
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!!!!
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.😮
This is the best performance of Crossroads ever done. I've loved it all my life!
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. "
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…
I am. I'm 77 soon. My generation. Our music.
I'll second that. We're lucky.
Right on my brother. Only 2 years behind you. Keep rocking and smoke 'em if you got 'em! Peace out.
@@littmad the smoking lamp is lit
@@littmad 80 here. Had this album.
@@fisherguy719 👍
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 !
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!
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.
This is it! Perfection. NOTHING today comes close. This is guts, superb musicianship, just total R & R. Pity those that did not grow up in the '70's and have to suffer the crap that is about today. RIP Rock & Roll.
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...
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.
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 ?
I've been listening to Eric Clapton since I was in Junior high. I've when my brother got me the first Cream Album well I was hooked. Still listening to him now in 2024. I'm 69 and he is 11 years older than me. I love you Eric Clapton I always will. 😘☺️💖💙🎸🎶🙏💕
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.
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.
All 3 were brilliant. Clapton’s phrasing, technique, and tone here are astonishing. Legend.
Has it been bettered since?
Brilliance...we were fortunate, to live in the era of incomparable original and truly gifted artists and musicians...a plethora of excellence, namaste'
Original music? Not hardly. It's a cover of Robert Johnson.
And if not for them we wouldn’t know he was
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 !!!
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.
The single greatest live rock performance ever
I must agree!
Agreed! My favorite.
I'm 70 years young and have always been a fan of Cream!!❤🎉
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
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
Unequivocally the greatest rock band that ever graced the world with their talent .
RIP Jack , Ginger......
Thankyou for those brief years .....
One of the best bass lines ever recorded! RIP Jack Bruce!
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,!
At 68, still shaking my head and getting goose bumps.
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).
So flipping great!!!! I miss my younger life when I saw this! Yeah!
All three of them at their absolute best! Pure genius.
Eso es futuro
It don't get better than this. 3 great musicians at their peak complimenting one another. Killer bass line
Absolutely amazing that they ever event came together. Listening to this is phenomenal.
Had the great opportunity to see Cream a number of times at the Fillmore. I believe their first show was with a young Charlie Musselwhite. Sometimes I'd go twice in a 3 show weekend. It's fun to relive those days a bit, but of course it's nothing like the live thing was.
The thing about Clapton that makes him timeless is it just isn’t about shredding. It’s not just speed. It’s tasteful. It’s music. He hits his rhythms perfectly. He never screws up and never has to vamp or rescue himself.
Ginger Baker said once that the thing that made Clapton great was his timing.
I couldn't agree more. What seems straightforward [a blues solo], is fraught with musical difficulties in reality. Thousands do it quite well, or very well.
There is only one Eric Clapton.
Precisely .Mpst shredding is mechanical noise to me. I easily listen to this over and over and am lifted up repeatedly at the same points in Eric s solo. I love how Gingers hi-hat accentuates Claptons bend of (the A string?) the main riff. Jack prob. helps out there too
The word which describes the type of playing is "melodic"... complimenting..variations of timing and different types of "Melody movement"...ascending .. descending..alternating..in varied mathematical patterns...=MELODIC"...Yes my good friend...Like you said "TASTEFUL"...VS..Predictable BORING FINGER TAPPING ARPPEGIOS...
Eric "Slow Hand" Clapton.
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.
The second instrumental break is the best live recording I have ever heard in my life. Perfect timing, incredible musicians...
Saw these guys perform in a venue that held 300 in Philadelphia over the 1968 New Years holiday extended weekend.
Man, I was a 16 year old from Oregon , living next to an Indian Reservation in Central Oregon.
Visited aunts and uncles and cousins in San Francisco in 68.
I stayed in San Mateo, Ca. for the summer of 1968 with cousins.
My cousin and I rode his motorcycle to the Fillmore West a number of times during that summer.
I was blown away by the new bands, Steppen Wolf, Country Joe,
Grateful Dead, Santana, Beautiful Day, it just seemed like a dream thinking back and saying to myself, I really was there!
That's so cool man. Thanks for sharing.
Jim Henry very cool memories Jim.
@@markdrouin8094 Thanks for the comment Mark.Much appreciated.
I was stunned at seeing so many beautiful girls in San Francisco that summer.
They didn`t seem to like clothes very much, and they appeared to like hanging out with really shaggy unkempt dudes!
I never did get it,LOL.
the correct term would be "indigenous" not indian
@@Alex-et5tj LOL..Don`t get me started on what direction the political wind is blowing at the present time.
I lived with Indians,I went to school with Indians,I rode school buses ,where I was one of three white kids on a bus with all Indian kids.
My neighbors were Indian, my best friends, Randy and Tony [last names deleted] were full Indian.[Randy dated my sister as well].
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs called themselves Indians, my sister`s boy friend was Indian, my first girl friend was a Cree Indian.She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.She stopped traffic she was so pretty.
I love Indian history,intertwined with American History. The time frame was early 1960`s.
You guys have been listening to too many leftist proffs and bought this absurdity of fixating on labels and moniquers.
Indians have severe issues on most Rez, relating to endemic health, lack of job opportunities, addictions, alcoholism, missing or lost teenage girls that know one seems to be at issue with officially.
You can call them "First Nation", "Native American", or your term..."Indigenous". It changes nothing.
The Indians I knew and grew up with would laugh at the various terms "whites" thought proper to call them.
With everyone focused on Illegal immigrants,violence in Black communities and the left doing it`s best to divide and segregate all Americans into classes,and colors and "we versus them" tribal segmentation , I would just ask them all if they read "sign language".
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 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽❗❗💪🏽💪🏽
my favorite song by my favorite band of all time. Jack Bruce was my guy!
I saw Cream so many times in the 60s mostly at local venues behind pubs such as The Cooks Ferry Inn - The Blues Rooms at The Angel Edmonton and Manor House. And at their farewell concert at The Royal Albert Hall. Totally Amazing
My most iconic performance and solo ever, absolutely hands down. the CREAM of the crop..Its no coincidence the name
It’s unbelievable how Eric has this uncanny ability to concentrate with great memory hit every note without missing a beat , and achieve a great tone . A great gift .
He made looks that so easy..
@@napomania you have to go back and remember....he loss his son. 7th story window..heavens in you...
Yeah, his time and tone are unbelievable given the speed he plays at here.
I'm sad that Jack is gone, but I listen to his music just about every day, and I'm 72 yrs. old, and came of age with the music of Cream. What a wonderful legacy to leave for us who love his music.
Jack Bruce is very talented, on his solo albums he plays the bass like a lead guitar, it is very impressive.
'Was' extremely talented, unfortunately. A true master of the bass, his vocal ability was of the same high level. Only Eric Clapton is still in the mix of earth's game.
Yes he really was the standout of the group
Not unlike Noel Redding
How does he compare to Entwistle?
@@UAL320 They were both extraordinary bassists and tough to compare. It would be like comparing Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Page.
I first heard this in 1968 when I was 17 and it reached out and grabbed me by the balls and has never let go. Clapton was light years ahead of his time with this Guitar solo...and still is.
Yeah same here. I agree on every point. That was one hell of a performance by all three of them.
Now, we can see the actual performance on film.
Eric’s best solo ever. The guy plays every note and never took a lesson. Unmatched. Incredible!! Gifted !!
Eat your heart out Mr. Hendrix
@@anthonywilkins3947 Hendrix could only wish he had the ability and style to play like this Remember. He flew from the US to England in 1967 unannounced just to jam with Cream. Hendrix Ouote ; Best band I ever heard in my life . Class Act. The rest is history.
#ClaptonIsGibson
@@raycali1946 #HendrixKilledGod
@@anthonywilkins3947 #HendrixKilledGod
I was fortunate to have gone to the Fillmore East many times. As you lined up walking in there were a line of guys selling any and all drugs.
I got this album for my 14th birthday. I’m 69 now. It blew me away then, and still does. It’s the greatest rock album track of all time.
To me this is the definitive version of crossroads. Possibly the finest performance of a power trio that ever walked the face of the earth.
wish I could say the same for the camera work.
Always some jackass behind the camera zooming In on anything but the he finger work
Hi Doug and agree with everything you have written. If I'm not mistaken there is a lack of synchronization between audio and video here, caused by the fact that although the audio is from the Winterland concert, the video images are from the 1968 Albert Hall London concert. Both performances of the highest order.
@@andrewjohnfox You're correct.
Yes on all three counts.
without doubt, a terrific performance - but I agree, the camera work is pathetic. like so many wonderful performances in the 60's the camera operators used way too much zoom instead of letting the viewer see the band work together.
My favorite rendition of Crossroads, but I hate how the video editors wouldn't let you see the fingers at work on the fretboards. That is where the essence of the song eminates!
That's because the video is from a different performance, as no video of that particular rendition exists (a tragedy). However, whomever did the video did an excellent job working with another version of the song , or maybe even some snippets from a different song but from the same time period...an excellent job, indeed.
@@silverfishimperetrix4818 then it was the cameraman's fault. The whole movie, not just this song was nothing but in and out focus, zooming in and out and quick cuts, make it almost unwatchable.
Moses didn't get to see the 10 Commandments cut into the stone, he saw the Finished product! HA.
The video does not belong with the audio
I get that it's synched in, but most all videos of the era avoided letting the viewer see the fretwork going on. Guess they were afraid I was going to become another Clapton and cut into his royalties 😎
Still watching in 2024 and still loving it.
I was a kid in the 60s and I first heard this song on the radio around 1969 or '70 I guess, and after that every time I heard it starting to play on the radio I'd get a huge rush up my spine and I'd run over and crank that sucker up! I've NEVER gotten tired of Clapton's playing on this number it's a perfectly sustained and executed solo that just keeps building and building. Of course he had the twin jet propulsion of the best bassist and drummer in rock at the time pushing him harder and harder. Eric was 'the kid' in Cream and he learned a lot from those two legends.
Saw them live in 68...3 guys sounding like 10. In Ottawa Canada...just months after seeing hendrix
I am short of words to describe this song, everything is outstanding in this tune.
Sure is
You stole my words!
@@Achimski I did?
@@Rinus-et6qs oh yes you did! You have perfectly descriped what I want to say about this version of crossroads. This is by far the most perfect version. This masterpiece is also my ringtone.
Eric was that good in his early 20s already a master jacks base is brilliant and the madman on drums cream was the best band in the world for 2 years.
Jack Bruce wowza. This song wouldn't work with out all of them. It's perfection.
There used to be bands. So many we had the battle of the bands. It was a generous ethos. Now the Star reigns. Solo acts.
This is without doubt the greatest rock performance of a three man group that there ever was. Clapton, Bruce and Baker may individually be bested at their crafts, but together, this was was greatest three man band performance of all time.
Nirvana??
I’ve seen several interviews with Slow Hand and he seems mystified by our adulation of this song. He brushes it off and says he doesn’t remember much about it being special. It, to me is one of the very best examples of a rocking, rock and roll song! They were the best power trio in the history of rock, IMHO . Jack Bruce ‘s bass playing along with EC ‘s and the incredible drumming of Ginger Baker will forever put THIS song in the hearts of rock music fans until the end of time ! Thank You Cream !!!
Every time that I hear this song, it sets my soul on fire! exactly the same way that" Fire",by Hendrix does! Ever since I was a kid, when I heard them all those years ago!!
He's right. It wasn't special then and it isn't special now. Derek is the real deal.
I agree with Eric. It is nothing special and I can think of many better with Cream and Mayall.
Maybe because he realizes people should be showing the late great Freddie King among other the adulation they reserve for him.
Jeff Tippett - I think he downplays it in an attempt to make his later solo career achievements look better by comparison. If he admits, truthfully, that this was his peak, everything else is, by definition, inferior in some way.
One of the best live performances ever recorded. And the absolute worst camera work possible. They might as well have just filmed their own feet
lol the best those old techs ever did up until that point was the lawrence welk show. they never saw this coming.
Lol I guess we will just have to love it for the song.
Probably stoned
I'm pretty sure there is no film of Crossroads at winterland. If I remember correctly, Eric Clapton used the fool for that performance.
Amen, Jan. Making cuts at that speed is effectively an act of aggression upon the the viewer.
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.
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.