Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great But Short Album in Any Form, Including A Distinctly Different Version From Those Currently Offered On Amazon, August 10, 2005
Like many a "baby boomer" I too am still a fan of Cream, Blind Faith and other Nineteen Sixties "Classic" rock bands. In addition to the rock music styles of the `60's and intervening years, I also love many of the current styles of Alternative and Metal. Blind Faith was one of the excellent bands and albums to close out the decade. The other reviewers here have done a great job of pointing out the main points about the Blind Faith album. I agree with pretty much everything they say, but I would like to clear up a few slight errors, omissions, or misconceptions.
First, the original vinyl LP released in August 1969 came with either of two different covers in the USA. ATCO SD 33-304A had the infamous "Nude Girl with Airplane" cover, and ATCO SD 33-304B had the "Band Picture" cover (Note: Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker posing with the "incorrect" instruments.) At the time I did not know I had purchased the "clean" version. I did not even find out about the "naughty" jacket until I got curious about the "B" in the catalog number. Later, for many years the "Nude Girl" cover seems to have became only common on import pressings of the album (different catalog numbers as well). The retailers had indicated to Atlantic Records that they would not stock the album with the nude cover so a second cover was put out. This situation is similar to the US vs foreign releases of the Jimi Hendrix Experience album "Electric Ladyland."
Second, Rick Grech (Bass, Violin) had been a member of Family, Steve Winwood (Piano, Organ, Vocals) came from Traffic, and both Eric Clapton (Guitar) & Ginger Baker (Drums) were from Cream.
Third, In addition to the two basic versions of the Blind Faith (1990) Polydor 825 094 CD featured here on Amazon, I know of a third. There is the standard six-track version on one CD that is exactly like the original LP. I agree, if it were not for the oddball long Ginger Baker piece "Do What You Like," the album even on vinyl, let alone CD would have been an EP. Then there is the 2CD "Deluxe Edition" (2001) Polydor 314 549 529-2 with 5 extra tracks on the first disk and four long Jams on the second disk, also available from Amazon. This two disk CD set pretty much covers the recorded output of Blind Faith. There is a (probable bootleg) 2 CD set of Blind Faith alternate takes called "Rehearsals," but I do not have it or know the contents. But I came across a third CD version of Blind Faith on RSO Records from West Germany. This import version of Blind Faith (1986) RSO (W. Germany) 825 094-2 includes two extra tracks not found on the 2 CD Polydor set. It has songs called "Exchange and Mart" and "Spending All My Days." Personally I am not sure these are truly Blind Faith songs. They just don't sound right, especially the guitar and drums. They sound more like Rick Grech and Steve Winwood demos. Specifically, I think what I hear is Rick playing Bass & Violin, and Steve playing everything else, Keyboards, Guitar, Drums. Yes, multitracked and overdubbed, but with out Eric or Ginger. Also the late listed recording date of October 1969 makes me suspicious. The known recording dates otherwise for Blind Faith were from February 20 to June 28, 1969. The band broke up in November. If anyone out there knows any more about these or other "extra" Blind Faith songs, please let the rest of us know.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Bonus Tracks Question, February 16, 2006
For the reviewer who asked about the "bonus tacks" titled Exchange And Mart and Spending All My Days, these tracks were actually demos for a Rick Grech solo album that was never released. They were included on an official release of Blind Faith (1986?), but you are right, they are not actually Blind Faith numbers.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An all-time classic, April 28, 2000
This is a collaboration that produced a once in a lifetime classic. This group could not repeat or maintain the success of this one output. This album was made during what was probably the most creative and exciting period in the history of rock. Musicians were shedding old bands and traditional pop/rock. New bands and one time collaborations were being formed from pieces of old bands. There was a lot of experimentation and new sounds were being created. The range of rock music was expanded beyond the three minute hit. The record companies were paying for, FM radio (which was just emerging in the US) was playing it and people were enjoying it. Blind Faith was Steve Winwood from Traffic, Rich Grech from Family and Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker from Cream. This album was their only official output. It has a very unique sound that matches Winwood's blues/soul vocals with Clapton's straight ahead rock. All of the songs, the music and every other aspect of this album are very strong. There isn't a weak spot in the whole project. Clapton has some very nice guitar parts, Winwood's organ soars in places and Grech adds some extra depth with a violin solo. Besides this album, Blind Faith recorded a few extra tunes which can be found on various anthologies, like Eric Clapton's Crossroads. Any of the leftover tunes would have been out of place on this album. Blind Faith also went on a US tour that was supposed to be a disaster. This band without Clapton, but with a number of other musicians did go onto to appear on Ginger Baker's Airforce's first album (a live double LP). The sound is quite different with some African influences, but they do play "Do What You Like". It is a fun album that is worth seeking out. Note that some versions of this CD have two extra songs: "Exchange and Mart" is a nice instrumental, featuring violin, that almost fits in with the original material. "Spending My Time" is a terrible Clapton tune that could use some serious reworking.
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by Blind Faith 
