Customer Reviews

Disraeli Gears

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Disraeli Gears" is one of the best rock albums. However, this two-disc "expanded edition" offers very little in the way of previously unreleased material.

What's on it? First, naturally, is the original album. Disc one is filled out with a take of "Lawdy Mama" (previously issued on "Live Cream" and the "Those Were the Days" boxed set); a previously unreleased take of "Blue Condition" with Clapton singing lead, and five demo songs, all of which appear on the box set. Disc Two features the mono version of the original album, along with mono versions of "Lawdy Mama" and the alternate version of "Blue Condition", and adds nine selections from the BBC Recordings (in mono), all of which appear on the "BBC Sessions" disc.

If you own the box set and the "BBC Sessions", all you'll get by purchasing this edition is the mono mix of "Disraeli Gears", and mono and stereo versions of the alternate "Blue Condition." Oh, and you get a nice booklet along with some snazzy new photos. Hard-core fans probably have the previously issued material, making this a rather pricey investment. Casual fans will be satisfied with the far less spendy original album.

OK, so I bought it. Yes, I'm one of those hard-core Cream fans who has to have every note they played. I'm actually interested in listening to the mono mix. But most people don't need to go that far. The most recent remaster of the single-disc original is all you really need.

I understand the other reviewers' feelings that this deluxe edition was somehow lacking; even I can grant only four stars in my rating. Having said that, however, I still am enjoying it. I already owned the Mobile Fidelity version (now out of print) with both stereo and mono mixes but, being obsessive, I wanted to hear this remastering. Even though I thought nothing of the way stereo recordings were balanced back in 1967, they sometimes sound odd to me and I find myself now often enjoying mono mixes more (see my review of The Hollies' As, Bs and EPs). I also agree with the other reviewers that perhaps the demos, outtakes and BBC tracks are superfluous (I own BBC SESSIONS as well) IF one has the box set, but for those who don't, they are quite welcome, particularly (in my opinion) the demo version of "SWLABR" and the BBC take of "Tales of Brave Ulysses," which I find terrific. I still can recommend that one should own DISRAELI GEARS, but should finances prevent purchasing this deluxe version, get the single disc. You shan't go wrong!

There is a better sound to my ears on the deluxe stereo version/I have also the remaster and box set...again, if you are a collector you will appreciate the artwork,somewhat better sound..indeed not much here in rarities but it's Cream and a cover like this comes along rarely...as rare as this group and it's recorded output..too bad..

Released in 1967, "Disraeli Gears" was musically more advanced than Cream's debut "Fresh Cream" released a year earlier and in keeping with the times, very 60's psychedelic. The album was full of excellent songs and included the hits "Strange Brew", "Sunshine Of Your Love", "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" as well as other superb cuts such as "Swlabr", "Outside Woman Blues", "Dance The Night Away", and "Take It Back". This deluxe edition of "Disraeli Gears" is a notch above the original cd release in that it includes both the stereo and mono versions of the cd (originally only available on Mobil Fidelity Sound Labs Ultra Disc II (a gold disc which is now a collector's piece). But you also get Out-takes such as "Lawdy Mama" ("Strange Brew" with different lyrics), "Blue Condition" (an alternate version never before available, with Eric Clapton doing the vocals) and demo versions of "We;re Going Wrong", "Hey Now Princess" (Clapton's guitar licks are amazing on this track), "Swlabr" (Jack Bruce's bass guitar really stands out on this track), "Weird Of Hermiston" and "The Clearout" (an instrumental jam). For those who never bought "Cream's BBC Sessions" cd, you'll get a sampling of how good the band sounded "live", raw and powerful is the best way to describe the band in concert. You get "Strange Brew", "Tales Of Brave Ulysses", "We're Going Wrong", "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Outside Women Blues", "Take It Back", "Politician", "Swlabr" and "Steppin' Out". The enclosed booklet is informative and also includes lots of photos of the band members. Casual Cream fans may want to stick with the less expensive single disc version of "Disraeli Gears" but for serious collectior's (like myself) this 2-cd "Deluxe Edition" is a must have. Highly Recommended!

Don't get me wrong, I love Cream. They are my favorite band in the world. And that's coming from a 21-year old college boy.
OK, to the album. This is one of the many Deluxe Editions being released by Polydor and Universal Chronicles. What do you get? The entire album in stereo and mono, out-takes, demos, and BBC recordings. For a fan who wants that first Cream album, get this edition. Or you can go for the single album, which is much more affordable. If you have the "Those Were The Days" box set and the "BBC Sessions", you really don't need this edition. The only thing "new" you will get is the mono album and "Blue Condition" in D(as opposed to in C on the record) with Eric on vocal. But if you are an obbessed fan like me(and some other reviewers...ha ha!!), you'll go out and buy it(like I did!!). The mono sides are interesting, as I am not familiar with too many mono albums.
Like I said before, if you are a new or casual fan(or an obbessed one!), go out and buy this album. It will be worth every penny you spend on it. Then be prepared to get the Reunion CD when it eventually comes out(hopefully), since they are doing 4 shows at the Royal Albert Hall in May.

Best described as psychedelic hard rock...very hard for its day and a precursor of the heavy bands to come like Led Zep, Hendrix and Sabbath. This release is a remastered 2-disk deluxe edition with both mono and stereo versions of the album. It also includes seven demos including two versions of "Lawdy Mama" which is the exact same song as "Strange Brew" before Felix Pappalardi's wife Gail Collins came in and wrote new lyrics for it. Another strong demo is the bluesy "We're Going Wrong" featuring some nasty guitar interplay between Jack Bruce & Eric Clapton.

In addition to the demos, this package includes nine BBC recordings including versions of the yet to be released at the time "Politician" and "Born under a Bad Sign". All the BBC tracks are excellent (or should I say groovy) and surprisingly concise (no drum solos!) for Cream. There is also an alternative version of "Take It Back" with Clapton on lead vocals instead of Ginger Baker. Of course this groundbreaking album also includes the hits "Sunshine of Your Love", "SWALBR" and my personal fave..."Tales of Brave Ulysses" which was written by Clapton and sung brilliantly by Bruce. Also included is a 20 page booklet with photos and some pretty good liner notes where I learned that Ahmet Ertegun dismissed "Sunshine..." as psychedelic hogwash and amazingly Disraeli was recorded in a mere six days!

This edition is intended for the serious Cream fan only as it's very expensive and you can buy the original single CD version for a third of the price. I hope this reunion tour pans out because seeing this trio together live today would be incredible.

Yes there are other albums and singles that may strike your fancy. But this one is the first to come to mind when mentioning Cream. It is too bad that the samples stop before "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" as each track is unique. Therefore you have to listen to them all to get a more complete picture of this group.

Warning this album is addictive I find my self singing, "Sunshine of Your Love" a little too loud at work and then I hear others completing the words from other cubes.


Those Were the Days

This album is alot better than thier debut and it shows thier progress. Diseaeli Gears remains thier finest album and one of the best rock albums of the 60s.