Wednesday, October 24, 2007

No. 203: Wheels Of Fire


Band: Cream
Album: Wheels Of Fire
Why Rolling Stone gets it right: Many of Cream's definitive songs appear on "Wheels Of Fire's" first disc, specifically the perfect cream song in "White Room." Similarly, their cover of Albert King's "Born Under A Bad Sign" is the picture of great blues rock and it even has a Ringo-esque Ginger Baker-sung "Pressed Rat and Warthog." "Politician" is almost political, but still rocks. The second disc has the band live in San Francisco, tearing through "Spoonful," "Traintime," "Toad" and the blistering "Crossroads."
Why Rolling Stone gets it wrong: I'm comfortable with this record being at number 203. It's not Cream's best work, but it's certainly a fine record.
Best song: Either "White Room" or "Politician" are the highlights of the first disc. "Crossroads" is the best on the second disc and one of Cream's three best songs.
Worst song: "Traintime" on the second disc goes on too long.
Is it awesome?: Yes.

Remember when I disrespected Eric Clapton? Forget it all and listen to the "Crossroads" solo.

1 comment:

kellydwyer said...

Then forget it all and listen to the solos on "Hideaway" and "Key To Love" on the album you reviewed last week.