Guest Book

O.K., have recovered enough from last nights Cream show at the Garden to post a review.To start off the musicianship of these old timers was spectacular. The show was by no means without flaw, there were some obvious train wrecks along the way but the highs that were hit were the ''peakin'' kind, and I know you all know what I mean. While the wild experimentation of the old band is pretty much history, it was replaced last night with solid musicianship. The show started off pretty slowly with Im so glad, with Clapton taking short jabs at the jam and pulling it back like he was teasing. A solid Spoonful came next, Jacks playing was top notch on this one. Outside woman blues with Eric still jabbing but not opening up. Ginger took the vocals on warthog, a very Psychadelic number. This is where the show exploded with the opening bars of Tale of brave Ulysees, the only song in which Eric would use the wahwah. They absolutely killed it. Eric finally opened it up and it was like being hit w/ a freight train. The solos were flowing out of the end of his guitar like it was an extension of his being, Terrific. Mind blowing. Worth every penny I spent right then and there. The funniest thing happened when they closed on that number, the crowd started roaring and it just cascaded for several minutes to where the band couldnt jump into another number . From then on it was magic. Sleepy time time, badge, politician, sweet wine, all had terrific Clapton solos until we then hit Stormy Monday. Now I have seen The Allmans play this about 20 times, but tonight this one belonged to EC. Started it at center stage w/ a 5 minute solo before baker and Bruce joined in and never looked back Aside from TOBU, this was the second best peak of the night. Rollin and tumblin came next w/ Bruce on harp and Ec on slide. This one also built to a peak and a rythym that wouldnt quit. Born Under a bad sign was a solid one for ginger and Jack holding down the bottom. Jack switched to a wood frettless bass for it and the bottom end shook the rafters. Crossroads I would say was my least favorite, only going about half speed but the crowd loved it.White room came next. Eric looked like he wanted to use the wah but there was some problem w/ it and he ended up straight up on it. Still terrific. The closer of Toad was the big surprise. They started off w/ the intro, then left Ginger to his own and he killed one of the best drum solos I have ever seen one man play. He just kept thumping away, w/ many a jazz phrase thrown in that just kept flowing and flowing. great stuff. I think the crowd was stunned. Jack an Eric came back out to finish the song and it was followed by a well deserved thunderous roar. Sunshine was the encore obviously, real good but having heard EC do it at almost every show ive seen just a little too many times. All in all it was a great night, More than I expected and it was by no means a nostalgia trip. These guys can still play. P.s. The lighting backdrop for the whole show was reminiscent of the brotherhood of light. pss. The Allmans were well represented with the amount of t shirts in the crowd. Never been to a non allmans show and seen that many ABB shirts in my life. Peace