Disraeli Gears - Cream
Disraeli Gears - Cream
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Year: 1967
Background Information
Disraeli Gears is the second album by British blues-rock group Cream. It was originally released in November 1967 and went on to reach #5 on the UK album chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching #4 on American charts. The album features the two singles "Strange Brew" and "Sunshine of Your Love". By this time, the group was veering quite heavily away from their blues roots to indulge in more psychedelic sounds.
Track Listing (1967 Release)
1. "Strange Brew" (Clapton, Collins, Pappalardi) – 2:46
2. "Sunshine of Your Love" (Bruce, Brown, Clapton) – 4:10
3. "World of Pain" (Collins, Pappalardi) – 3:02
4. "Dance the Night Away" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:34
5. "Blue Condition" (Baker) – 3:29
6. "Tales of Brave Ulysses" (Clapton, Sharp) – 2:46
7. "SWLABR" (Bruce, Brown) – 2:31
8. "We're Going Wrong" (Bruce) – 3:26
9. "Outside Woman Blues" (Reynolds, arr. Clapton) – 2:24
10. "Take it Back" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:05
11. "Mother's Lament" (Traditional, arr. Bruce, Baker, Clapton) – 1:47
Track Listing (Deluxe Edition Released 2004)
Disc one (stereo)
Original album
Tracks 1-11
Out-takes
12. "Lawdy Mama" - version 11 (Traditional, arr. Clapton) – 2:00
Recorded April 3, 1967 at Atlantic Studios
13. "Blue Condition" - alternate version (Baker)
Eric Clapton vocal, previously unreleased
Demos1
14. "We're Going Wrong" (Bruce) – 3:49
15. "Hey Now, Princess" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:31
16. "SWLABR" (Bruce, Brown) – 4:30
17. "Weird of Hermiston" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:12
18. "The Clearout" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:58
Recorded March 15, 1967 at Ryemuse Studios, London
Disc two (mono)
Original album and out-takes
Tracks 1-13
BBC recordings2
14. "Strange Brew" (Clapton, Collins, Pappalardi) – 3:00
15. "Tales of Brave Ulysses" (Clapton, Sharp) – 2:55
16. "We're Going Wrong" (Bruce) – 3:25
Recorded May 30, 1967, broadcast June 3 on BBC Light Programme
17. "Born under a Bad Sign" (Jones, Bell) – 3:03
18. "Outside Woman Blues" (Reynolds) – 3:18
19. "Take it Back" (Bruce, Brown) – 2:17
Recorded October 24, 1967, broadcast October 29 on BBC Radio 1
20. "Politician" (Bruce, Brown) – 3:59
21. "SWLABR" (Bruce, Brown) – 2:32
22. "Steppin' Out" (Bracken) – 3:37
Now that we have our lengthy introduction out of the way, I would like to talk about the songs. Disraeli Gears is without a doubt the definitive psychedelic album of 1967. 'Sunshine Of Your Love' opens with a universally known guitar riff, one which I instantly recognised even though I was an absolute music newbie at the time. 'Blue Condition' is an interesting exception in that Cream's drummer, Baker, takes the vocals this time around. 'Tales Of Brave Ulysses' is a poem written by the Australian artist Martin Sharp for the group and is generally regarded as being one of Cream's strongest songs.
The only songs I have a particular dislike are for 'Outside Woman Blues', 'Take It Back' and 'Mother's Lament'. The first two having the sound of a completely different genre than was intended for the album and the last which has lyrics spoken by all three in a Cockney accent.
If anyone is looking to listen to this group's music, then Disraeli Gears is easily the most accessible album as it doesn't have the heavy blues feel of Wheels Of Fire that may put some listeners off.
Rating: 9/10
Originally Posted by .Socrates
