Heavenly Cream-An Acoustic Tribute To Cream-Album Review-Planetmosh

For sheer power and precision, you can’t go wrong with a power trio, point proven by Cream, my personal favourite of the genre, and fortunately for myself, have been asked to review ‘Heavenly Cream – An Acoustic Tribute To Cream’, to be released on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 via Quarto Records. This fifteen track album is the brainchild of the late Cream lyricist, Pete Brown.

It also features the late Bernie Marsden, Joe Bonamassa, Ginger Baker, Paul Rodgers, Pete Brown, Bobby Rush, Maggie Bell, Nathan James, and Jack Bruce’s son, bassist, Malcolm Bruce, and many more. Formed in London, 1966, Jack Bruce, bass guitar, vocals and primary songwriter, the line up was completed by Eric Clapton on guitar and Ginger Baker on drums, widely considered as the first supergroup, but they only lasted three years, releasing four classic albums inbetween tensions from Bruce and Baker, including on-stage fights! They had quickly become known for their explosive impromptu style-high volume blues jamming, extended solos and flashy instrumental showmanship.

Whilst the album was being recorded, Pete Brown proclaimed, “It took me a long time before I would attempt these songs. I grew up in Jack’s shadow, like Malcolm did as well, you know. I’m not trying to be Jack, no one will ever be Jack. Eventually I felt, they’re my songs as well, and grew into these songs that Jack and I wrote”.

This monumental album kicks off with ‘I Feel Free’, as a jaunty intro captures the songs title, that settles into dreamy verses, delivered by the golden tones of Deborah Bonham, prominent piano and an unwavering Ginger Baker snap!

‘White Room’ has a vocal tour de force from Pete Brown, especially when he pitches in the captivating choruses. Musically, it marches along with aplomb as Ginger Baker, once more takes us once more on a tour around his kit for a muscular pound, plus added violin sweeps.

Beauty personified comes from the balladry of ‘Theme For An Imaginary Western’, as once again, Pete Brown, vocally steals the spotlight, backed by orchestral majesty.

A change of vocals sees Malcolm Bruce take over for ‘We’re Going Wrong’, a short but still captivating song of morose tinges, as an almost whispered delivery weaves around violin and inventive drum patterns.

A major highlight comes from ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’, mainly from an over the top Ginger Baker headphone rattling pummel, with added guitar wizardry from Bernie Marsden and Joe Bonamassa.

‘Deserted Cities Of The Heart’ is all about the bass from Malcolm Bruce, as it rumbles and grumbles over a howled Joe Bonamassa vocal for four fiesty minutes.

Nathan James steps up to perfectly capture the howls of Jack Bruce throughout ‘Sweet Wine’, as he swoops and soars around another Ginger Baker masterclass, as earworms come from midway brass.

Nathan then tackles ‘Tales Of Brave Ulysses’ perfectly, encapsulating Jack’s howls with aplomb, more laid back than the original, but loses none of its power.

As well as formidable guitar duties from Bernie Marsden for ‘Crossroads’, he also shows his adeptness for a gritty lead vocal.

Maggie Bell adds some raunch in ‘Take It Back’, as her paint stripping vocals is backed by piano and hypnotic drum patterns.

‘Spoonful’ is all laid back soul for the order of the day here as Bobby Rush pours out a thrilling lead vocal over jazzy musical nuances that includes his wailing harp.

He doesn’t outstay his welcome, point proven by ‘Sitting On The Top Of The World’, letting loose a honey dripped vocal and more more harp wails.

A welcome return from Deborah Bonham sees her belt out ‘Badge’, one of many big hitters here.

‘Politician’ is a bass driven bruiser, courtesy of Winston Blisset, bringing the hammer down around a Pete Brown lead vocal.

This triumphant album closes on ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’, as the golden tones of Paul Rodgers are instantly recognisable, putting his stamp over sumptuous bass grooves and noodling acoustic guitars, including Bernie Marsden.

A purchase link to the album is here :- https://quartovalleyrecs.lnk.to/AATTC

Album track listing and personnel are here :-

I Feel Free – Deborah Bonham, vocals. Bernie Marsden, guitar. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Neil Murray, bass and Frank Tontoh, drums.

White Room – Pete Brown, vocals. Malcolm Bruce, guitar. Clem Clempson, guitar. John Donaldson, piano. Mo Foster, bass. Cheryl Alleyne, drums. Helen Hardy and Holly Morrison, backing vocals. Calina De La Mar, John Smart, Laura Fairburst, Naomi Fairhurst, strings.

Theme For An Imaginary Western – Pete Brown, vocals. Clem Clempson, Malcolm Bruce, guitars. John Donaldson, piano. Mo Foster, bass. Cheryl Alleyne, drums. Helen Hardy and Holly Morrison, backing vocals. Calina De La Mar, John Smart, Laura Fairburst, Naomi Fairhurst, strings. John Donaldson, string arrangement.

We’re Going Wrong – Malcolm Bruce, vocals. Clem Clempson, guitar. Cheryl Alleyne, drums. Strings, as above, arranged by Malcolm Bruce.

Sunshine Of Your Love – Joe Bonamassa,vocals,guitar. Bernie Marsden,vocals, guitar. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Neil Murray, bass. Ginger Baker, drums. Abass Dodoo, percussion.

Deserted Cities Of The Heart – Joe Bonamassa, vocals, guitar. Bernie Marsden, guitar. Malcolm Bruce, bass. Moreno Buttinar, drums. Abass Dodoo, percussion.

Sweet Wine – Nathan James, vocals. Bernie Marsden, guitar.Mo Nazam, guitar. Malcolm Bruce, bass. Ginger Baker, drums. Pee Wee Ellis, tenor saxophone. Henry Luther, trumpet. Abass Dodoo, percussion. Rob Cass, Andy Hodge, backing vocals.

Tales Of Brave Ulysses – Nathan James, vocals. Bernie Marsden, guitar. Mo Nazam, guitar.

Crossroads – Bernie Marsden, guitar, vocals. Joe Bonamassa,guitar. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Neil Murray, bass. Ginger Baker, drums, Abass Dodoo, percussion.

Take It Back – Maggie Bell, vocals. Bernie Marsden, Tony Remy, guitars. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Winston Blissett, bass. Frank Tontoh, drums.

Spoonful – Bobby Rush, vocals, harp. Bernie Marsden, Tony Remy, guitars. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Winston Blissett, bass. Frank Tontoh, drums.

Sitting On Top Of The World – Bobby Rush, vocals, harp. Maggie Bell, vocals. Bernie Marsden, Tony Remy, guitars. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Winston Blissett, bass. Frank Tontoh, drums.

Badge – Deborah Bonham, vocals. Bernie Marsden, Tony Remy, Peter Bullick, guitars. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Winston Blissett, bass. Frank Tontoh, drums.

Politician – Pete Brown, vocals. Bernie Marsden, Tony Remy, guitars. Malcolm Bruce, piano. Winston Blissett, bass. Frank Tontoh, drums.

Born Under A Bad Sign – Paul Rodgers, vocals. Bernie Marsden, Mo Nazam, Mareno Buttinar, guitars. Malcolm Bruce, bass.