Customer Reviews

Blind Faith

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This one-shot supergroup may not have lasted long, but they produced a solid recording here. There are only six songs, which is as expected--with Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood in the same group and the opportunity to showcase Ginger Baker's remarkable talents as a drummer, jams are certainly in order and Ginger does well in "Do What You Like," the concluder. The songwriting is dominated by Winwood, but Clapton contributes his classic "Presence of the Lord," which begins with a soulful verseline and then bursts into a potent guitar solo. Winwood's "Sea of Joy," "Had to Cry Today," and "Can't Find My Way Home" are all excellent, with pretty verselines accentuated by his high-pitched vocals and neat instrumental riffs.

In fact, the only thing that stops me from giving this five stars (just barely) is that there are only six songs. The jams show solid musicianship and worksmanship but don't blow you away. However, do not let the uneven reception this album received deter you. It is eminently listenable, and actually very relaxing, something just to put on and soak up when you feel laid back. The songs are not mellow as in slow, but in texture Blind Faith is smooth-flowing solid rock.

The Cult of Clapton tends to state that EC is the ultimate rock don who makes everything he touches, from the sheer power of his greatness. How is it, then, that all the great things he did were with other great people? Want EC w/out a great supporting cast? Go buy "Lay Down Sally." Not to knock him, he is one of the great guitarists of all time. But come on, most people say Cream broke up because Clapton was sick of Jack Bruce acting like the front man, and then he ended up in two groups that he only lasted one album with (this and Derek and the Dominoes). Of course, they are two of the greatest rock albums of all time. To his credit, Clapton clearly brings out the best in others, though this album testifies to the fact that they often bring out the best in him as well. For instance, to me, "Do What You Like" is one of the greatest songs in the history of rock and roll. It's written by Ginger Baker? Amazing. (And to his credit, EC has repeatedly acknowledged the fact that Ginger Baker is the most amazing drummer of all time.) Clapton's solo in "Do What You Like" is one of my favorites of his: fantastic playing and a beautiful tone with a haunting dose of reverb that really works.

Steve Winwood is an great vocalist, and it is truly hard to figure out why if you use the "American Idol" metrics. But on this album, the fusion of his bluesy style and the material, which is haunting and hypnotic, is just plain magic. From the opening bars of "Had to Cry Today," this album reverberates in a way that few other albums do and Winwood's vocals are a big part of that.

It continues to astound me how many people out there have not heard this record. Searing, unique, incredibly powerful album.

'Blind Faith' is one of the finest albums of the 1960's, perhaps the most progressive decade in music. That should be no surprise as the band combined elements of two of the most talented and inventive bands of the era, lead guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, two-thirds of 'Cream', together with keyboardist/lead singer Steve Winwood and bassist Rick Grech, two-fifths of 'Traffic'. The band only managed to stick together for one album and one tour, which also shouldn't have been a surprise given that Winwood's continued indulgence in psychedelic rock and flirtations with jazz fusion were a poor match for Clapton's foray into more traditional pop sounds and life-long side-interest in blues rock.

Ignoring their flimsy bonds, Clapton, Winwood, and Baker brought five stunning compositions into the studio. For the most part, this album became a Steve Winwood dominated production, with the artist penning fully half of the songs and singing all of the lead vocals, even on Clapton's only entry, his epic 'Presence of the Lord'. Although the set does allow all of the musicians ample room to move, Winwood's characteristic sound, together with Baker's avant garde, jazz influenced contribution ('Do What You Like'), is what gives the disc its overall feel. The bands cover of Buddy Holly's 'Well All Right' along with Clapton's 'Presence...' are clearly the odd tracks out.

That being said, there is not a bad performance on this disc. All of Winwood's contributions are classics, from the plaintive 'Had To Cry Today', to the tender 1960s's "looking for myself" nostalgia of 'Can't Find My Way Home', to the rapturous 'Sea of Joy'. Each feature distinctive melodies, endearing lyrics, and elite musicianship. The studio rendition of Clapton's 'Presence of the Lord' probably isn't the definitive version to most people, as numerous live covers have appeared on other releases, in particular with Eric masquerading as 'Derek and the Dominos'. The song evolved and eclipsed its original form. And despite the relative simplicity of 'Well All Right', this band certainly manages to make this song sound like anything but a boppin' 1950's Buddy Holly track. If this was the first song you heard off this album and were told it was the weakest track, you'd surely buy the album without even asking to hear the rest of it.

The album closes with Ginger Baker literally laying claim to his fifteen minutes of fame, penning the 15 minute-plus 'Do What You Like', another period piece that gave all four musicians an opportunity to solo and, in the end, do what they like. It's probably the most critiqued song in the lot, but a lot of the criticsm comes from people who were expecting too much. 'Blind Faith' is solid, forceful, meaningful, and possesses a personality all its own, and plenty of other 'supergroups' have produced far less. This is a "must-own" for any collector of rock classics.

I was one of the lucky ones to get the original issue of this CD without the two bonus tracks. The reason that this is Four Stars is because you can't get this now without the two bonus tracks. The two bonus tracks threw this off when it was reissued. Everything about this is great. What a lineup too Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Rick Grech and Ginger Baker. One of Winwood's best songs is included here "Can't Find My Way Home". Also the Eric Clapton penned "Presence Of The Lord" is very good. Not everyday do you get four talented musicians like this together. Unfortunately, there probably won't be a Blind Faith Part Two because of the passing of Rick Grech. That is why many people consider this a Landmark recording. A one time thing gone right. By the way, they just reissued this as a double CD with more extra tracks. Do yourself a favor, pass it up. It's not as good as the original. Damn those bonus tracks.

This album, recorded in London in 1969, captures not only the sound of its own time (which it does perfectly), but also constitutes a work of art that anyone who loves rock music cannot help but love as well. Steve Winwood's vocals are extraordinary, stunning, even after more than thirty years. Eric Clapton--the same Clapton who served as the subject of the routine London and New York subway grafitti asserting that "Clapton is God"--plays brilliantly, ranging from very subtle ("Can't Find My Way Home) to in-your-face/can-you-dig-this riffs that blow away anyone who loves real rock 'n' roll ("Had to Cry Today"; "Sea of Joy")--listen to both of these works through good headphones and ask not be disturbed during the experience. Ginger Baker's drumming is also wonderful --particularly on "Do What Your Like" in which a long, brilliant drum solo (a species of performance which has essentially disappeared from contemporary popular recordings) makes one remember how expressive drums can be as an intstument. As someone who grew up in the 60s and who continues in a modest way to play music in various contexts, I can tell you that, if you love the joy and emotional power of classic rock performed by virtuoso musicians at the height of their abilities, you should not pass up this recording.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I am often asked to write or talk about various 60's and 70's rock and roll recordings.

Although it was devastating that Cream had broken up, Two-thirds of the band Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker surfaced along with Steve Winwood and Ric Grech in Blind Faith. Although there would only be one album it has left its mark as a must own for any fan of blues-rock and Clapton or Winwood.

Please make sure you are viewing the 2CD version with the original LP and the nine bonus tracks (Including 1 CD of all Jams).

The deluxe issue has such intense bonus material that it had to be extended to a two CD set. "Can't Find My Way Back Home" and "Presence Of The Lord" have so much soul and emotion it could give a heart to the Tin Man.

There isn't a bad moment from the opening note to the final bonus track. Although you'll feel like a kid in a candy store and want to experience a bit of this and that, listen to the first six tracks on CD 1 straight through. This will enable you to experience the music the way it was in 1969 and in the best quality. After you are able to digest the brilliance of the album if you have any energy left go for the bonus tracks. Some may have had the pleasure of hearing "Sleeping In The Ground" previously. When you get to the Jams it will reaffirm why Clapton's output from the Yardbirds through Derek & The Dominos was nothing short of Herculean.

Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

This album is dynamite. For anyone who likes Cream (or good music for that matter), and appreciates what Clapton and Baker could do together, this is an album to have.

The album begins with "Had to Cry Today" - a lengthy testament to Clapton's overlaying of harmonies. This is followed by "Can't Find My Way Home" - SUPERB. The mood of this song is seldom (or better yet, never) replicated today; with its story-telling guitar, identifiable, yet gripping, lyrics, and simple, yet very groovable, high-hat beat - the ambiance is undeniable.

The bigness continues with "Well All Right" - a guitar, piano, and bass, never sounded so big (though it is a cover). It sounds like there's so much going on in this song - but not to the extent that the groove or melody suffers one bit.

I am listening to the album as I write this, and could go on about the reflective "Presence of the Lord", the vocally stunning "Sea of Joy", or the jazzy "Do What You Like" - which, I should note, includes a ten-minute Ginger special.

To end, if you like the cast, you will definitely appreciate the sum of their abilities: Clapton chugs and harmonizes, Baker pounds with undeniable vigour, Grech pounds and scales with Bruce-like precision, and Steve Winwood asserts himself as one of rock's truly magical voices.

This albulm is, in my opinion the best album ever produced. Everyone should have this album, I don't care what kind of music you like. There are only six songs on the album, but the instrumentation, vocals and lyrics are all perfect. Each song has great lyrics, guitar riffs, etc. I believe that Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and Stevie Woodwind are the greatest trio of artists ever to grace the stage at the same time. If you think that Eric Clapton was great as a solo arist, listen to this album and then think again. Most people know who Eric Clapton is but many don't know of Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, or even Cream. Also many have not heard the incredible percussion of Ginger Baker or the overall musical talent of Stevie Woodwind. EVERYONE needs to buy this album, and I also highly recommend "Fresh Cream" and "Disreali Gears" by Cream.

From the opening riff of "Had to Cry Today," the soothing "Can't Find My Way Home," the upbeat "Well... All Right," The classic "Presence of the Lord," Magical "Sea of Joy," to the final chanting of "Do What You Like," this album absolutely rocks! Every song has the potential to become your favorite. I guarentee you will not be disapointed with this album.

This is one of those "must-haves" for any person interested in the evolution of rock. Ginger Baker is amazing, as usual.

I recently lost about 400 CDs, 200 LPs, and countless cassettes and MP3s in a recent fire in my home. This was one of the very first CDs I just had to have to start my collection over again. I originally had this LP from probably the late 70s or early 80s when it was rereleased back then as I was only 4 years old when it first came out, unlike some of you old timers. I am proud to say it is still a great cornerstone to any music collection, even for us young whipper snappers.