Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinary debut album, September 17, 2003
Fresh Cream was Cream's debut and the first of their three consecutive fantastic albums made while they were together. Although this is clearly their best blues statement with covers of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" and the oft-covered Muddy Waters classic "Rollin' And Tumblin'", the album also points to the excellent songwriting of Disraeli Gears and the extensive jamming featured on Wheels Of Fire.
While there's no instant classic like "White Room" or "Sunshine Of Your Love" present here, Jack Bruce's collection of originals here are among the best he'd pen for the band whether it was the blues of "Sleepy Time Time", the excellent pop of "I Feel Free" and "Dreaming" or the short jamming "N.S.U.", which would lead to the improvisation of their live shows exhibited on Wheels Of Fire and their live albums. Bruce's bass playing is also very innovative throughout the album and he plays a mean harmonica on "A Cat's Squirrel" and "Rollin' And Tumblin." Ginger Baker's drumming is very powerful and innovative throughout, particularly on his compositions "Toad" and the excellent "Sweet Wine." While Eric Clapton didn't write any tracks here, his playing is outstanding, particularly on "Spoonful" and the Skip James tune "I'm So Glad." The band's performances of the cover tunes are very powerful with Jack Bruce truly making "Spoonful" his own with his excellent vocal performance. Simply a stunning debut from one of the best bands from the '60s. Highly recommended.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Solid Debut from Rock's First Power Trio, April 30, 1999
Eager fans could be forgiven for being slightly disappointed with this debut act from the (for the day and genre) much hyped trio of Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton. The idea that the three musicians, titans on the British blues and jazz scenes, would unite seemed mind-numbingly miraculous at the time, and the record didn't seem to be quite as miraculous as perhaps they had expected. They needn't have worried, this is a solid, if not spectacular, record, and there was much more to come. Still working out their style, Cream started off with the rather off-color single of "Wrapping Paper" and "The Coffee Song" and soon moved into more intriguing and innovative versions of blues standards with "Four Until Late," "Cat's Squirrel," "Rollin' and Tumblin'," and the fantastic reinterpretation of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful." Stylish original compositions are also highlights, "Sweet Wine" standing out as a bluesy psychedelic treat that would foreshadow things to come. Then, there's the mellow sweetness of "I Feel Free," "Sleepy Time Time," and "Dreaming," as well as the upbeat blues of "N.S.U." and "I'm So Glad." Ginger Baker also adds his signature drum solo, "Toad." The main problem with Fresh Cream is that it's a little incoherent, the songs don't have much unity. Plus, the writing talent of Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker had yet to really kick in, and the signature unified guitar/bass riffs had yet to evolve, but there's still much here to enjoy.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cream's first album shows its raw talent., July 29, 1999
By A Customer
Just recently Cream was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, amazing when they came out with only four albums. Fresh Cream was the first. The power trio of Eric Clapton, guitar god, Jack Bruce, great blues bassist, and Ginger Baker, best blues drummer ever, made an awesome team. Fresh Cream was the album to decide if they clicked musically. It was a great triumph. "I Feel Free" the opening track is a personal favorite as well as one of Cream greatest hits along with another track on the album Spoonful. A great blues-rock album is as such great songs as Cats Squirrel and the Muddy Waters classic Rollin' and Tumblin. Truly one of the greatest blues-rock albums of all time.
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