Sunday Music Muse Day - Ginger Baker RIP

This Sunday Music Muse Day started on a sad note the passing of Ginger Baker, founder and legendary drummer for Cream, one of the foremost Rock groups of 1960s.  With Eric Clapton on guitar and the late Jack Bruce on bass, Cream, along the Jimi Hendrix Experience, defined the Rock power trio for all that followed.  Cream's double album Wheel of Fire was one of the first vinyl records I bought as a teenager.  I remember listening to early FM radio, late at night, while drawing at the kitchen table, to the extended albums cuts of 'Crossroads' and 'Spoonful'.  Cream covers introduced me to the music of blues legend Robert Johnson, and others. 

I'm glad I got a chance to see Ginger Baker play live on the only tour of Blind Faith, with Clapton and Steve Winwood (of Traffic), the band formed after Cream broke up.

One of my personal thrill was Ginger Baker mentioning my father, Sam Woodyard, as one of the classic jazz drummers who inspired him in his youth.  This was printed in the liner notes of CD he did with Bill Frisell.

Ginger Baker's  musical legacy is secure and his music will always beat on.  Rest in peace, Ginger, and thanks for the music.

Music Muse: Cream revisted

I picked up this  nice 2-disc DVD set about Cream, the legendary Rock group, with Eric Clapton (guitar), Ginger Baker (drums), and Jack Bruce (bass).  Cream was one of the first great "Power Trios" in Rock and one of my favorite music groups.  Another being the Jimi Hendrix Experience, which is my all-time favorite Rock group.   The DVD set covers Cream's entire story from the beginnings in 1966, to the farewell concert in 1968, and the two reunions 2005.   The viewing the DVD was a great trip down memory lane, but the best part is the music still holds up, just as powerful and driving as ever.

Just a side note:  The only troubling thing for me about the DVD was the so what shabby appearance of Jack Bruce.  He is wearing a very worn, stained, and frayed jacket, like something you'd pull off a homeless guy.  It rises my concern, as I know he was very sick for a time,  that he was still going through rough times at the time of the interview.  You would think the production crew would have given him a better jacket.   I hope all is well the him.  He and the member of Cream deserve the best for all the great music they made together and in the separate solo careers after.