Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Best of Cream
View on Wikipedia
| Best of Cream | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
| Greatest hits album by | ||||
| Released |
| |||
| Recorded | 1966–68 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 34:45 | |||
| Label | Atco, RSO, Polydor | |||
| Producer | Felix Pappalardi, Robert Stigwood | |||
| Cream chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Eric Clapton chronology | ||||
| ||||
Best of Cream is a compilation album of material recorded from 1966 to 1968 by the rock band Cream and released shortly after their disbanding. It was originally released by Cream's U.S. label Atco (Atlantic) Records (catalog no. SD 33-291) and was available on that label during the years 1969–1972. It got a UK release later in 1969 on Polydor Records, who also issued the album in other territories outside the U.S. The album was briefly reissued in the U.S. in 1977 by RSO/Polydor, to whom U.S. distribution rights for Cream's recordings had reverted by that time. A re-release was pressed in 2014 by Polydor on 180g vinyl (catalog no. 535 113-8).
Best of Cream was noteworthy upon its release as the first American record to contain Cream's studio recording of "Spoonful". Although included in international versions of Cream's 1966 debut album Fresh Cream, the song was deleted from Atco's initial U.S. release of the album, and replaced with the band's first hit single "I Feel Free". U.S. reissues of Fresh Cream contain both songs.
The album peaked at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart in July 1969.[1] and reached No. 6 on the UK album charts. It was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Track listing
[edit]Side 1
[edit]- "Sunshine of Your Love" (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown, Eric Clapton) – 4:08
- Uncut version, from Cream's second album Disraeli Gears (1967), produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocals: Jack Bruce/Eric Clapton.
- "Badge" (Clapton, George Harrison) – 2:45
- From Cream's fourth (and last original) album Goodbye (1969), produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocal: Eric Clapton.
- "Crossroads" (Robert Johnson, arr. Clapton) – 4:13
- From Cream's third album Wheels of Fire (1968), produced by Felix Pappalardi. Recorded live at Winterland, San Francisco, California, 10 March 1968. Vocal: Eric Clapton.
- "White Room" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:04
- 45 RPM single edit; uncut version appears on Wheels of Fire. Produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocal: Jack Bruce.
- Early Spanish Polydor issues of the album (catalog no. 184298) include the uncut version of the song, running time 4:58.
- "SWLABR" (Bruce, Brown) – 2:31
- From Disraeli Gears. Produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocal: Jack Bruce.
Side 2
[edit]- "Born Under a Bad Sign" (Booker T. Jones, William Bell) – 3:08
- From Wheels of Fire. Produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocal: Jack Bruce.
- "Spoonful" (Willie Dixon) – 6:30
- Uncut version, from the international version of Cream's first album Fresh Cream (1966). Produced by Robert Stigwood. Vocal: Jack Bruce.
- "Tales of Brave Ulysses" (Clapton, Martin Sharp) – 2:50
- From Disraeli Gears. Produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocal: Jack Bruce.
- "Strange Brew" (Clapton, Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins Pappalardi) – 2:45
- From Disraeli Gears. Produced by Felix Pappalardi. Vocal: Eric Clapton.
- "I Feel Free" (Bruce, Brown) – 2:51
- From the U.S. version of Fresh Cream. Produced by Robert Stigwood. Vocals: Jack Bruce/Eric Clapton.
Personnel
[edit]Cream
[edit]- Jack Bruce – bass guitar, keyboards, vocals, harmonica on "Spoonful"
- Eric Clapton – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals
- Ginger Baker – drums, percussion, vocals
Additional personnel
[edit]- Felix Pappalardi – piano, viola
- George Harrison – rhythm guitar and backing vocals on "Badge"
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[2] | 6 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[3] | 8 |
| Finnish Albums (Soumen Virallinen)[4] | 10 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[5] | 29 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[6] | 6 |
| US Billboard 200[7] | 3 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[8] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Citation
[edit]- ^ "Cream > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums" at AllMusic. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Image 7752". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. p. 100. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Cream – Best of Cream" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ "Cream Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ "Cream Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ "American album certifications – Cream – Best of Cream". Recording Industry Association of America.
Best of Cream
View on GrokipediaBackground
Cream's Formation and Rise
Cream was formed in July 1966 in London by guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist and lead vocalist Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker, establishing the band as one of rock music's earliest supergroups due to the members' prior prominence in groups like the Yardbirds, Graham Bond Organisation, and Graham Bond's band.[6][7] The trio's debut album, Fresh Cream, was released on December 9, 1966, by Reaction Records in the UK and Atco Records in the US, blending blues covers and originals in a raw blues-rock style that peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and number 39 on the US Billboard 200.[8][9] Cream's sophomore effort, Disraeli Gears, arrived in November 1967 and marked a commercial breakthrough, reaching number 5 in the UK and number 4 in the US, while introducing psychedelic elements alongside their blues foundation through tracks like the hit single "Sunshine of Your Love," which climbed to number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.[10][11] Their third album, Wheels of Fire, released in June 1968 in the US and August in the UK, solidified their success as a double LP that topped the US Billboard 200 and reached number 3 in the UK, featuring the psychedelic-tinged single "White Room" that peaked at number 6 in the US and number 28 in the UK.[12][13] Over their active years from 1966 to 1968, Cream transitioned from straightforward blues-rock in Fresh Cream to increasingly psychedelic and improvisational sounds in Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire, influencing the era's rock evolution.[14][15]Disbandment and Post-Breakup Context
Cream announced their disbandment on July 10, 1968, with guitarist Eric Clapton stating that the band would dissolve after completing their ongoing tour, a decision that had been brewing since May amid mounting pressures.[16] The group's final performance took place on November 26, 1968, at London's Royal Albert Hall, marking the end of their brief but influential run as rock's pioneering supergroup.[17] The split stemmed primarily from deep-seated internal tensions, particularly the longstanding feud between bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker, which dated back to their time in the Graham Bond Organisation and often erupted into physical altercations on stage and off.[18] Creative differences further strained the trio, as Clapton grew disillusioned with the band's direction—favoring endless improvisational jams over structured songs—and sought a more collaborative, roots-oriented sound inspired by encounters with The Band.[19] Exhaustion from relentless touring, including three grueling U.S. legs that isolated the members and amplified their burnout, ultimately made continuation untenable for all three.[20] Following the breakup, Cream's immense popularity—bolstered by hits like "Sunshine of Your Love" and massive album sales—sparked immediate and sustained interest from fans and their label, Polydor/Atco, in preserving and repackaging their catalog to meet demand for accessible highlights of their work.[16] This fervor was evident in the success of their posthumous releases, such as the 1969 album Goodbye, which combined new studio tracks with live recordings from the farewell tour and charted highly, underscoring the public's appetite for more Cream material.[20] Manager Robert Stigwood played a pivotal role in navigating the band's dissolution and leveraging their legacy, persuading the members to undertake a lucrative farewell tour despite the acrimony and overseeing strategic compilations to sustain commercial momentum in the wake of their split.[20] Under Stigwood's guidance through his Robert Stigwood Organisation, the quick assembly of hits collections like Best of Cream capitalized on the void left by the band's departure, ensuring their blues-rock innovations reached new audiences.[18]Recording and Production
Track Selection and Sources
The Best of Cream compilation features a curated selection of 10 tracks drawn from the band's primary releases: Fresh Cream (1966), Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969). These albums encapsulate Cream's evolution from blues-infused rock to psychedelic experimentation, and the choices prioritize material that highlights their signature sound and commercial success following the band's disbandment in late 1968.[1] A key highlight is the inclusion of the studio version of "Spoonful," originally recorded for the UK edition of Fresh Cream but omitted from the initial U.S. release; this marks its debut on an American album, providing listeners with the full-length original rather than the previously available live interpretations.[21] The selection balances studio recordings—such as hits from Disraeli Gears—with live adaptations, exemplified by the electrifying performance of "Crossroads" sourced from the live portion of Wheels of Fire, which captures the improvisational intensity of Cream's concerts.[22] The curation focused on singles and enduring fan favorites to represent the band's most impactful hits, ensuring the compilation served as an accessible entry point to their discography while emphasizing tracks that drove their popularity in both the UK and U.S. markets.[1]Production Process
The production of Best of Cream was overseen by Felix Pappalardi and the Robert Stigwood Organization, drawing on their prior roles in the band's original album sessions.[23] All tracks except "I Feel Free" and "Spoonful" were originally produced by Pappalardi, while "I Feel Free" and "Spoonful" were produced by the Robert Stigwood Organization.[24] No new material was recorded for the compilation, which instead utilized existing stereo mixes from Cream's original releases between 1966 and 1969, including Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, Wheels of Fire, and Goodbye. To accommodate the constraints of the vinyl LP format, certain selections underwent editing; for instance, "White Room" was shortened from its full 4:58 album version on Wheels of Fire to the 3:04 single edit, allowing better side timing without excessive fades.[22] The compilation's sequencing prioritized balance across the two LP sides, with Side A featuring shorter, high-energy hits leading into longer pieces on Side B, all presented in stereo for optimal playback on contemporary equipment. This arrangement yielded a total runtime of 34:43. The album falls under the rock genre classification, blending blues rock foundations with psychedelic and hard rock influences characteristic of Cream's output.[3]Release
Initial Release Details
The Best of Cream compilation album was initially released in the United States on July 7, 1969, by Atco Records under catalog number SD 33-291.[1] The United Kingdom edition followed on October 24, 1969, issued by Polydor Records with catalog number 583 060.[25] Both releases were formatted as stereo LP vinyl records housed in a standard sleeve containing band photographs and liner notes.[2] Outside the US and UK, the album appeared on Polydor for the majority of international markets during 1969.[2]Packaging and Promotion
The packaging for Best of Cream featured cover art created by American pop artist Jim Dine, depicting a colorful collage of vegetable motifs in a playful, abstract style that evoked pop art influences.[2] The liner notes offered a concise historical overview of Cream's formation, key milestones, and the cultural significance of the compilation's tracks, emphasizing the band's innovative blend of blues, rock, and psychedelia.[2] Released in the wake of Cream's 1968 disbandment, the album's promotion positioned it as the essential single-disc retrospective for the supergroup, capitalizing on their legacy as pioneering figures in rock music to attract both existing fans and new listeners.[26] Marketing efforts included leveraging radio airplay of standout singles such as "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room," alongside subtle nods to the band's recent farewell performances during their final U.S. tour in 1968.[15]Musical Content
Track Listing
The Best of Cream compilation album, released in 1969, features tracks drawn from the band's earlier albums including Fresh Cream (1966), Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969).[2] The original vinyl LP sequencing divides the 10 tracks across two sides, with a total runtime of 34:45.[2]| Side | No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Sunshine of Your Love" | Clapton/Bruce/Brown | 4:08 |
| 1 | 2 | "Badge" | Clapton/Harrison | 2:45 |
| 1 | 3 | "Crossroads" (live) | Johnson | 4:13 |
| 1 | 4 | "White Room" (edit) | Bruce/Brown | 3:04 |
| 1 | 5 | "SWLABR" | Bruce/Brown | 2:31 |
| 2 | 1 | "Born Under a Bad Sign" | Bell/Jones | 3:08 |
| 2 | 2 | "Spoonful" | Dixon | 6:30 |
| 2 | 3 | "Tales of Brave Ulysses" | Clapton/Sharp | 2:50 |
| 2 | 4 | "Strange Brew" | Clapton/Pappalardi/Collins | 2:45 |
| 2 | 5 | "I Feel Free" | Bruce/Brown | 2:51 |
Notable Tracks and Edits
The compilation Best of Cream exemplifies the band's signature blend of blues covers and original compositions, highlighting their innovative power trio dynamics where guitar, bass, and drums each took on lead roles in driving extended improvisations and layered textures.[18] This approach allowed Cream to fuse traditional blues structures with psychedelic rock elements, creating a sound that emphasized raw energy and virtuosic interplay without additional instrumentation.[27] Opening the album, "Sunshine of Your Love" stands out as an iconic riff-driven track that captures psychedelic blues-rock at its peak, with Eric Clapton's heavy guitar riff—derived from a bass line inspired by Jimi Hendrix—anchoring the song's hypnotic groove and Jack Bruce's soaring vocals.[28] The track's structure builds tension through its repetitive riff and climactic solo, marking a pivotal fusion of hard rock intensity and psychedelic atmosphere that propelled Cream's popularity.[27] "White Room" appears in a compilation-specific edit shortened to 3:04 for radio play, trimming the original album version's length while preserving its orchestral strings, dynamic shifts, and Bruce's haunting vocals that evoke a dreamlike, psychedelic narrative.[1] This alteration highlights the track's lush production by Felix Pappalardi, blending baroque influences with blues-rock propulsion to create one of Cream's most atmospheric originals.[27] The Willie Dixon cover "Spoonful" serves as an extended jam at 6:30, transforming the original blues standard into a showcase of the band's improvisational prowess through layered guitar solos, driving bass lines, and rhythmic intensity that underscore their power trio capabilities.[1] Drawing from Dixon's 1960 Howlin' Wolf recording, Cream's rendition expands the song's suggestive lyrics into a vehicle for collective exploration, emphasizing spontaneous interplay over strict structure.[18] "Badge," co-written by Clapton and George Harrison (credited as L'Angelo Misterioso), provides a melodic counterpoint to the album's heavier selections, featuring a soulful rhythm guitar contribution from Harrison and a key change leading to an emotive Clapton solo that shifts toward softer rock sensibilities.[29] This track from Cream's final studio album Goodbye illustrates their versatility, incorporating pop-like hooks and harmonic subtlety amid the compilation's predominantly blues-infused energy.[1]Personnel
Band Members
Cream was a pioneering power trio formed in 1966, comprising Eric Clapton on lead guitar and vocals, Jack Bruce on bass, lead vocals, and harmonica, and Ginger Baker on drums and percussion.[2] This lineup defined the band's innovative blues-rock sound on the tracks compiled in Best of Cream, emphasizing their raw, improvisational energy without reliance on supplementary players for the original recordings.[22] Eric Clapton, often hailed as one of rock's premier guitarists, delivered the band's blistering lead guitar work, including iconic solos and riffs on songs like "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Crossroads." He also provided vocals on select tracks, notably taking lead on "Badge," a rarity given the band's typical vocal dynamics.[30][31] Jack Bruce anchored the rhythm section with his versatile bass lines, which often drove the melodic structure, while serving as the primary lead vocalist across most of the compilation's tracks, such as "White Room" and "I Feel Free." A classically trained musician, Bruce also contributed harmonica on pieces like those from Fresh Cream, adding bluesy texture, and was the band's chief songwriter, co-authoring key hits with poet-lyricist Pete Brown.[32][33] Ginger Baker supplied the propulsive drums and percussion, renowned for his polyrhythmic complexity and jazz-influenced flair that elevated extended improvisations. His dynamic, intricate drumming is particularly evident in jams like "Spoonful."[34][35]Additional Contributors
The original recordings featured on Best of Cream were primarily produced by Felix Pappalardi, who helmed the band's albums Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969), supplying the bulk of the compilation's tracks with his signature blend of psychedelic and blues-rock elements. Tracks from the debut Fresh Cream (1966), including "I Feel Free" and "Spoonful," fell under executive production by Robert Stigwood, Cream's manager, who oversaw the band's early output. Songwriting contributions extended beyond the band, with poet Pete Brown collaborating closely with bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce on lyrics for several key tracks, such as "White Room," "SWLABR," and "I Feel Free," infusing the material with surreal, poetic imagery drawn from Brown's beat poetry background.[36] George Harrison of the Beatles co-wrote "Badge" with guitarist Eric Clapton, providing the song's bridge and title—derived from a misspelling of "bridge"—which marked a rare external songwriting input for the album.[37] Engineering for the original sessions was handled by various technicians, including Adrian Barber for multiple recordings across the band's albums, though specific credits were not always detailed in contemporary releases; the Best of Cream compilation drew directly from these original master tapes to preserve the source material's fidelity.[38]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
The Best of Cream compilation album, released in 1969 following the band's disbandment in 1968, benefited from heightened interest in their catalog amid post-breakup hype, leading to strong chart performance across multiple markets. It debuted on the U.S. Billboard 200 in July 1969 and peaked at number 3, spending a total of 44 weeks on the chart.[39][4] In the United Kingdom, the album entered the Official Albums Chart in November 1969, reaching a peak of number 6 and charting for 34 weeks overall, with runs extending into 1970.[5] The release also saw success internationally, peaking at number 6 in Australia (Kent Music Report), number 8 in Canada (RPM), number 10 in Finland (Suomen virallinen lista), and number 29 in Germany (Media Control).[4]| Country | Chart | Peak Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Billboard 200 | 3 | 1969 |
| United Kingdom | Official Albums Chart | 6 | 1969 |
| Australia | Kent Music Report | 6 | 1969 |
| Canada | RPM Top Albums | 8 | 1969 |
| Finland | Suomen virallinen lista | 10 | 1969 |
| Germany | Media Control | 29 | 1969 |

