Description
A superb stereo audience master recording from the first night of the Cream reunion concerts! We are releasing a prized master from a renowned UK-based taper—a figure highly respected in the Eric Clapton recording community. This release features an exceptional master recording of the first night of Cream’s reunion shows at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2005. Back in 2021, we released a recording titled “Madison Square Garden 2005 2nd Night: Original DAT Master,” which originated from a friend of this renowned taper—a fellow enthusiast living in the Netherlands who flew to New York specifically to see the show and recorded it on his own DAT recorder. However, the source provided this time is not that original taper’s recording; instead, it is a digital copy of a “first-generation master” that the renowned taper has newly acquired! While this master had been released on CD once in the past, the taper recently obtained the actual first-generation master itself. Consequently, the sound quality and imaging are incredibly clear and possess overwhelming power. It is, without a doubt, the definitive master recording for this concert. Upon listening to it, our staff immediately concluded that we simply had to release it. It captures the entire performance in a top-tier stereo audience recording that surpasses even our previous “Madison Square Garden 2005 2nd Night: Original DAT Master” release. It has already been 21 years since those days. Cream—a band that left an indelible mark on rock history—revolutionized the genre alongside Jimi Hendrix during an active period that lasted little more than two years (1966–1968). Naturally, rock fans had constantly clamored for a reunion ever since the band’s breakup in 1968; however, for 37 years, it was Clapton’s own decision that prevented it from happening. For him—having achieved great success as a solo artist—the idea of a Cream reunion seemed like a meaningless spectacle that merely looked backward; he was haunted by bitter memories of the band’s dissolution, which had been caused by the exhausting strain of being caught in the crossfire of the feud between Ginger and Jack. However, the situation changed dramatically in 2005. Jack Bruce’s health had deteriorated to the point where he required a liver transplant and his life was in danger. Meanwhile, Ginger Baker was facing the seizure of his home in Nigeria—where he was then living—due to unpaid taxes. Clapton, who since 2000 had been reflecting on his career and rekindling old friendships by performing with numerous fellow musicians, decided to reach out and help his two old bandmates. This led to the realization of the reunion concerts. They began with a four-night run at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May. Naturally, rock fans from all over the world flocked to the venue; it appears that a large number of fans traveled from Japan to see the shows as well. When the trio took the stage together for the first time in 37 years, the image of them “waging war with their instruments”—as they once did—was nowhere to be found. Gone, too, was the wall of loud, distorted sound. Instead, there were three men who occasionally exchanged smiles and showed mutual appreciation. Viewed purely from a musical perspective, one might even surmise that this was the sound they had truly wanted to create and share all along. These concerts offered a chance to rediscover the uniqueness of Cream’s songs and the extraordinary skills of the three musicians. A superb master recording that vividly brings to life the New York performances—which offered a distinct experience from the London shows. The London concerts were met with such an overwhelming response and acclaim that a series of performances in New York was scheduled for October of that same year. Let us now look back at Clapton’s activities during that year leading up to the Cream reunion.・January 15, 2005: Performed and recorded “Wish You Were Here” with Roger Waters at a BBC television studio for “Tsunami Aid.” ・January 22, 2005: Performed at the “Tsunami Aid” charity concert in Cardiff, UK. ・March 11, 2005: Appeared in a charity show for “Comic Relief” at a BBC television studio. Performed “Reconsider Baby” backed by Jools Holland’s band. March 14, 2005: Shared the stage with Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Robbie Robertson, and others at the 20th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction concert held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. April 8, 2005: Performed alongside UB40, Roger Daltrey, and others at a charity concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in London. May 2, 3, 5, and 6, 2005: Held Cream reunion concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London. June 11, 2005: Performed with Roger Taylor, Ringo Starr, and others at a charity concert in Bramley, Surrey, UK. <<August 30, 2005: Released the album *Back Home*.>> September 3, 2005: Appeared with John Mayer at CNN’s television studios to perform “Broken Hearted” for a Hurricane Katrina relief charity event. October 24, 25, and 26, 2005: Held Cream reunion concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York. December 31, 2005: Held the annual “New Year’s Eve Dance” charity concert for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). As you can see, the Cream reunion concerts were the main focus of the year (all other activities were one-off charity events). In short, Clapton dedicated his efforts in 2005 to the Cream reunion. For fans, these concerts represented a dream-come-true moment, realized after 37 years. All three musicians were over sixty; while the raw, earth-shattering power of their past had subsided and their improvisations were more concise, a seasoned maturity had taken its place. Each played instruments different from those used during the original Cream era, drawing out the best qualities of the songs with a level of technique that represented the culmination of their careers, and captivating the audience in the process. Although there had been expectations that Clapton would crank up the volume on a Gibson-style guitar—just as he had in the Cream days—he effortlessly defied such fanciful predictions, choosing instead to play only his signature Stratocaster, a model he favored at the time. With moderate volume and instruments distinct from their earlier era, the unique musical character of each member in 2005 was allowed to shine through. Every song was meticulously rehearsed, and the setlist incorporated fresh ideas. Most notably, they included “Outside Woman Blues,” “Pressed Rat and Warthog,” and “Badge”—songs they had never performed live during the original Cream era—as well as “Stormy Monday,” a blues standard they had played on the club circuit before Cream was even formed (live recordings of this song exist from Clapton’s time with the Bluesbreakers and from Jack and Ginger’s days with the Graham Bond Organisation). During the intro to this track, Ginger notably maintained a continuous drum roll as backing—a touch that could only have come from him. According to reports from fans who attended this opening night, the trio’s performance was far more powerful than the shows held in London that May. Clapton’s playing on “Stormy Monday,” in particular, drew rave reviews from every fan who submitted a report. Jack Bruce, whose health had been a concern, reportedly showed flashes of energy—kicking out his leg during certain phrases and even jumping around a bit, unlike his more restrained demeanor in London—appearing much healthier than before. There were some amusing moments, such as after the performance of “Pressed Rat and Warthog,” when Ginger promoted their merchandise by announcing, “I’d like to inform you that ‘Pressed Rat’ has reopened its shop and is selling T-shirts and goods marked ‘Cream,'” and when he surprised Clapton and Bruce by launching into “Toad” instead of “White Room.” The band laughed it off and successfully transitioned into “White Room” afterward. Additionally, “Tales of Brave Ulysses” was included in the setlist for these American shows; Clapton’s energetic use of the wah-wah pedal during the outro was exhilarating. “Badge” was performed in a style very close to the original Cream version—starting with Jack’s bass line and playing the section following the break only once—rather than the arrangement Clapton uses in his solo shows, which begins with a guitar intro and repeats the post-break section twice. Throughout the show, Clapton played with a conscious focus on the “Cream” sound; he seemed intent on recapturing that specific feeling. It was a stylish touch for Clapton and Bruce to swap vocal parts during the choruses of “White Room,” while it was equally pleasing to hear them stick faithfully to the original vocal arrangement for “Sunshine of Your Love.” I had been concerned that Ginger might struggle or make mistakes during the lengthy drum solo in “Toad”—given that he was 66 years old—but his performance was so commanding and magnificent that I felt I owed him an apology for my doubts. There are few active drummers who possess such technique and can execute such a diverse and exciting array of rhythmic patterns. The audience was equally amazed, erupting in thunderous applause multiple times during the solo. While the band’s original breakup was attributed to the feud between Jack and Ginger, and it is said that their relationship remained cordial off-stage during the London concerts, they reportedly reverted to being at each other’s throats backstage during the subsequent New York shows. Yet, given the brief three-day run, they managed to keep those tensions off the stage, delivering their best performances and successfully concluding the tour. While an official live album from the London shows has been released, it naturally does not include the audio from this New York performance. Since then, both Jack and Ginger have passed away, making a Cream reunion impossible today. We are truly fortunate that this reunion took place when it did. Just as Cream left its mark on rock history, there is no doubt that this concert has also been etched into the annals of rock. Although recordings from this same date have been released previously, this title features a superb master recording making its debut in Japan. Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA – October 24, 2005 – ULTIMATE SOUND (from Original Masters) Disc 1 (60:24) 1. Intro 2. I’m So Glad 3. Spoonful 4. Outside Woman Blues 5. Pressed Rat 6. Sleepy Time Time 7. Tales of Brave Ulysses 8. NSU 9. Badge 10. Politician 11. Sweet Wine 12. Rollin’ & Tumblin’ Disc 2 (63:59) 1. Stormy Monday 2. Deserted Cities 3. Born Under A Bad Sign 4. We’re Going Wrong 5. Crossroads 6. Sitting On Top Of The World 7. White Room 8. Toad 9. Sunshine Of Your Love Eric Clapton – Guitar / Vocals Jack Bruce – Bass / Vocals Ginger Baker – Drums
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