Not only was he one of the finest bass players, but he had a damned great voice. You listen to the intricate bass lines he plays WHILE SINGING! Very few people could do that. Thanks for posting this! Always fills me with reverie, this one.
Years back I heard Jack and Leslie West perform this song . The setting was the Howard Stern morning show and I think Jack was live on air and Leslie was on the telephone with Howard. These two came together like no others. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for the memory!
As I understand it, Bruce wrote this song for, and about, Cream, but Clapton for some reason didn't want to play it. I don't know why, it's one of Bruce's best songs imho (maybe his best). Maybe it's just as well, though, since it became one of Mountain's better known songs and Leslie West pretty much owns it now. Still, it would have been nice to see how Clapton would have handled it.
i forgot all about this beautiful piece. i was lucky enough to meet jack in albuquerque in 1968 when cream played the pit. what a gentleman. got ginger's autograph, clapton didn't show up at the party after the gig, but i remember he played a les paul. a crazy old friend of ours actually put a great big open-reel wollensak up on the stage and RECORDED the concert! nobody said a thing! i have a copy of their alb concert around here somewhere. those were the days, yes they were...
I think eric is a shill for fender as he never plays anything else and has been known to use it as among other things a tennis raquet a canoe paddle and a door stop.
Man, where has this stuff been? I've never heard these songs, and I'm massively into music 60s to 90s. What up? How come this stuff never got played on the radio. It is amazing. Thanks so much for this post Peace!
What a great song. He is a treasure. Just saw him in NYC and with Tony Williams tribute band. As usual his bass was amazing. Did not do any of his stuff so I was a little bumbed. But being able to be so close to the stage made it more special. Just a shame Cream cant get it together . We all lost decades without them together. So when ever Jack is around I make sure Im there. He was Cream..
@fanofprotopic I'm sure West, Bruce & Laing did a killer version. i have never seen their version of this song on any record. Anybody know if there is a recording out there of West, Bruce &Laing doing Jack's song. I bet he played it at all of their concerts.
@cooltooth112 Actualy it was Felix Pappilardi ( spelling?) who played bass with Mountain and also collaborated on many cream songs. He has a similar bass style as Bruce to be sure.
Actualy it was Felix Pappilardi ( spelling?) who played bass with Mountain and also collaborated on many cream songs. He has a similar bass style as Bruce to be sure. It would have been interesting to see Bruce to but....
@GHOF62 Yes, I agree 100%, don't see the difference. Jack wrote it. Mountain recorded it and Felix played for Mountain. I just said I'm sure there are lots of live versions of the group West, Bruce & Laing performing Theme for an Imaginery Western. Felix was with Leslie first and then when Felix didn't want to tour anymore. Leslie called up Jack Bruce and asked him if he wanted to join him and Corky in a new group West, Bruce and Laing and they put out a killer studio album & toured the U.S.
@cooltooth112 Actually it was Felix Pappilardi ( spelling?) who played bass with Mountain and also collaborated on many cream songs. He has a similar bass style as Bruce to be sure. It would have been interesting to see Bruce to but....
Wow, I was just browsing on here and listened to Mountain's version of this song and was pleasantly surprised to find this. I remember seeing West, Bruce, and Lang in Tampa many moons ago and, if I remember right, they did this then. If only I could remember, it must have been awesome. lol Jack Bruce is the guy I always wanted to play like....and sing like too, all those years ago. I'm still blown away.
I missed the days when Clapton was in Cream, born in the wrong time, but i still dig this. Jack Bruce also played bass for Hendrix on Voodoo Chile...not slight return. Another great tune...thanks for posting this
@joeyballz110 -- stands to reason. I was just a kid, and rocking out to the entire sound was all I thought about along with the lyrics. I heard The Cream as an entire entity, and I did not know that only Bruce was doing most of the vocals. 45 years on, I realize how very powerful the memory of The Cream is as the Zeitgeist of the 60s and of my evolving philosophy - all because of the words sung by Jack Bruce who should have been equally as famous as Clapton. Bruce is "GOD" ! Ha ha ha.
@durgaaa - My most inspirational tunes were I Feel Free, Politician, Deserted Cities of the Heart. I was just a little blonde, teenaged California girl in 1966.
Does it get any better than this song????? - My teenage years which turned dreams into reality. - THE FUTURE OF ART rested in my hands. - I did it. - MOUNTAIN as inspiration for what was to come. - See for yourself. - - - G A R T E L )))))
Does it get any better than this song????? - My teenage years which turned dreams into reality. - THE FUTURE OF ART rested in my hands. - I did it. - MOUNTAIN as inspiration for what was to come. - See for yourself. - - - G A R T E L )))))
This is the type of song that transcends the boundaries of "pop" music. It can stand on its own as a story, a poem, a meditation to a forgotten time. It is a song that should be famous, but unfortunateloy got lost in the shuffle when Jack Bruce left Cream. The Leslie West-Mountain version is okay, but doesn't have the pensive mournful quality that this one has. I appreciate the fact that it will live on in youtube, but I fear most kids today want style without substance.
what a song my bro is died in all the knights he told to play and i remenbered my brother i loved you whit all my soukl i iiiiiiiii love you bro you bleranerd me a lot i lovred youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Responding to the Jack Bruce Mix; He was in hit band Manfred Mann for a short time and recorded an EP with them. There is a YouTube video of Machines. You can't miss Jack's bass. Ok I cant paste a YouTube link so add this watch?v=xby0UMqp2fI
Responding to the JAck Bruce Mix; He was in hit band Manfred Mann for a short time and recorded an EP with them. There is a YouTube video of Machines. You can't miss Jack's bass. Ok I cant post the link "watch?v=xby0UMqp2fI"
I interviewed Eric Clapton when he played Singapore in 1990. He agreed that his original idea of a Buddy Guy type Blues Trio flew out the window that first rehearsal. He knew he had to play to their level. They were from the Jazz spectrum and he was coming from a Blues spectrum. Perhaps the beginning of Jazz Rock was Cream.
@Bluesdirections Cream was the first Blues-rock band and the first supergroup. Jsut because Baker and Bruce had a jazz backround doesnt mean that is what they played with Cream. just give it a listen
Jack Bruce and ginger baker were cream they wrote most of the music Jack's a better singer than Eric but he never went the pop route and besides music always makes the guitarist the number one guy
Cream had to include all 3 guys. All 3 knew they were the best, thats why they called themselves Cream, because they were the cream of the crop. They would "compete" with eachother to see who the best musician was, and this brought out the great sound that Cream is famous for
@minodude01 So true! And when they did the reunion thing at Madison Square Garden and I saw it on PBS, I was SO disappointed, because to me, Clapton's sound was the SG and the Firebird. But he chose to play the Strat (my favorite guitar) and it broke my heart. The Gibson sound is what was so predominant to the way that band sounded. Jack's amazing range and bass-playing that was so over-the-top, it was scary-good. Ginger was the king of his domain. Just wish Eric had strapped on a Gibson,,,
@minodude01 Exactly! Be careful of saying one was the master: especially as Ginger suggests that he wouldn't let Eric & his songs onto the albums! However, Jack was a classically trained musician - although one with a bit of an 'attitude' that rubbed people (esp Ginger drummers) up the wrong way. Pity, because it's probably why EC became a big name & JB dropped below the horizon post-Cream. This is a very good melancholic version of TFIW.
With Bob Dylan, it was often the case where somebody else took his own work to another level. The combination of Felix Pappalardi's voice & Leslie West's guitar is the kind of musical alchemy that transforms & elevates the song (plus, Steve Knight's organ gives Mountain's rendition more depth & drive). Jack Bruce was the best male vocal in the era of psychedelic rock but he was never great in WB&L or as a solo act. Consequently, I've always wondered what Cream's version would have been like.
Well not so fast my friend different strokes so to speak.You have to listen to the whole body of work.This song is from the disk Rope Ladder to the Moon.One of the great post solo efforts anyone ever made after the breakup of a so called"SupperGroup'.
A great "effort" is not greatness and YOU clearly have a lower standard. Jack Bruce's solo work was NEVER great and in no way begins to rival Eric Clapton or other peers, e.g. Pete Townshend, Roger Waters, Janis Joplin, etc. In fact, Jack's work as a solo artist pales in comparison & his work with other "major" players is essentially minor. The Bruce/Brown combination would never have succeeded without Ginger Baker's arrangements and contributions from Clapton, Pappalardi and Tom Dowd.
Some would also say that EC's solo work was of a lower standard than his golden era of Cream, Blind Faith & D&D. You're right to point out that Cream worked so well as a group of 4 musicians (Felix P being an honourary member).
I feel it was personal preference as well as 'attitude', that was the reason for EC and JB's post-Cream careers, in a commercial sense, diverging. Not difference in talent.
I never even suggested Clapton's solo work was better than his Cream work. I said his solo work was better than Jack's because his individual talent is greater than Jack's & from an artistic & not just a a commercial view that's a consensus embraced by most including fellow Cream member, Ginger Baker. It would be interesting to see Clapton do this song on his own, but all you have to do is compare solo covers of Bruce/Brown material by EC versus JB & you'll know what I'm talking about.
EC's greater 'talent' is in understanding the commercial realities of making a career in popular music - not necessarily a bad thing as all professional musicians have to make a living! I'm not convinced that EC's versions of Cream songs are better than JB: look for the latter's live version of White Room with the ex-Roxy Music guitarist! JB is a multi-instrumentalist & arranger/writer - reflecting his classical & Jazz backgrounds. EC is generally more limited: also I am a big fan of both!
I never suggested that you did say EC's solo work was inferior - please re-read my original comment "some people" - actually, many seem to think this & there are many ridiculing EC's work, which is unfair!
Also, let's face it, Ginger B was never JB's biggest fan...
Ha, ha, ha! One of the criticisms of JS Bach is that he didn't come up with much that was 'original' but synthesized other (less famous) Germanic composers!
I do agree that JB's classical training helps to make him a more multi-dimensional writer/arranger than just drawing from the Blues, for example.
Getting old,old,old. Thanks for posting, haven't heard this for almost 40 years, his old solo album I used to have long gone. Thanks. Have to go look up old Dave Mason, same deal as Bruce, in the shadows of Clapton and Winwood.
He wrote this song, plays the baddest azz jazz fretless bass guitar, and there is noone equal to him. He inspired me on the bass, and I have to thank you Jack, I`ve enjoyed the ride the entire time. Stay with us brother !!! Tristan
Same feelings.He's been my bass hero since I was a teen who played rhythm guitar,broke the high E and B strings and Danny our guitarist suggested I play bass on those remaining strings.the rest is bass history as I play every wkd of each year. How about Dreaming from Fresh Cream and Those were the Days.thank you from my heart Jack Bruce.Saw him with Cream and 3 other times with friends and of course West Bruce and Laing!
Jack's vocal on this is excellent on this, as was Felix' on Mountain's version on Mountain: Climing!
I have to admit I prefer Leslie West's guitar, partly because you can really hear him wringing a superb vintage sound out of his his tasty old vintage (50s) Les Paul Junior that gives his lead guitar solos that classic Gibson Les Paul bite..
Mountain's version was the first version I heard of this song. It was a few years before I found out it was Jack Bruce originally wrote it. I like Felix's vocal delivery better. ...and it would have also been nice to hear Bruce do this with Clapton, because Leslie's solos add a lot of energy to the song. That being said I do like some elements Bruce adds as well. I would like to hear a combined version of "Theme" with the best elements from each.
Much talk here of Bruce's virtuosity on bass guitar, but it all begs the fact that he also has one of the most recognizable singing voices in the history of "rock" and he knows how to use it. Age hasn't diminished it much either, the way it has Plant, Lake, and even Anderson. Hey, he's no slouch on harp (harmonica) as well. "Traintime" is two talented musicians making an awful lot of sublime noise!
i cant wait to get all his early solo cds. I personally think that from what i've heard from his first 3 solo albums, that was when he was at his best.
An awful lot of comments posted here are complete shit and display people's lack of musical knowledge. Every musician has his/her own qualities and are to be enjoyed. If you don't happen to like a musician it doesn''t mean they are crap. Mountain recorded an awesome version of this song, completely different from Jack's. I love them both, but don't expect everyone else to. As for Jack's musicianship, anyone who thinks he's less than world class doesn't know their musical arse from their elbow!
Exactly. I don't care that much for the 1980s West/Bruce version, especially when compared to this JB and the original Pappillardi versions of the 1960/70s, but that's not to say its total crap either! There is something about this version, though, which moves me more than West's overdriven versions. To each his own?
And exactly where in my comment did I suggest that anyone else had written it? If you feel the need to slag people off, at least get your facts right you f*ck*ing moron.
Jack Bruce was indeed the most under rated rock guitar bass player of all time. Mainly due to the fact his genius was forged before the advent of hyper media exposure...Listen to Badge and someone please tell me he is not one of the greatest bassist of all time...
Yea, Jack is underrated at times, but that voice will echo on and on forever after he's gone, he's a tough bastard and earns his keep, -new liver and all..
jack bruce is a better singer than robert plant- and i enjoy led zeppelin immensely. Jack anchored Cream much like Felix anchored Mountain. I'll take an anchor bass/lead vocalist over a primadonna any day of the week!
As much as I cherish what Eric Clapton brought to the Cream, there is no doubt that Jack Bruce was Cream's master talent: Songwriter, arranger, bass player and vocalist.
@carbarundum I, agree wholeheartedly with you ..Seen, Cream on "Wheels Of Fire Tour",and Jack Blew it all away ,Unreal Time and Musician, He was Cream....
My favourite song,sung by my fav.artist! Saw Jack in Canterbury festival 2001,woz fantastic! R.I.P. Felix Pappalarldi,the sweetest vocals, my teenage favourite.
I saw Jack perform this Live and he dedicated the song to his friend(the Late GREAT)Felix Pappalardi. I cried through the entire song and Standing ovation. Great song. Jack is a class act all the way.
Jack Bruce and Cream were great (musically). But any backlash he recieves is well deserved. I mean, why on earth would you sit there and whine and moan and bash your peers...it's just not classy.
Note: Of course Plant would have had to have the keys lowered, but listen to the original recordings how high and powerful he sang, could you expect him to replicate that live now? But indeed, Plant would have no problem replicating Jack Bruce's vocal lines in a second (Way easy).
the cream were only together 28 months.... and jack does have a small beef... the cream had alot of great tunes for a band together a little 2 years.... had.. the cream been together 12-13 years like... zep..... jack would've won the war of words easily... it's still close... jack... you had alot to do with rock history... and yes.. your name is rarely mentioned... u are still one of roks greatest... and always will be!!!!!
Jack Bruce has got a great tenor soul voice (or did), very powerful & emotional - anything he sings I like -- but Felix P gave it a more spiritual sound (I guess falsetto does that) - result: total props to Bruce as creator of the song, but gotta say, I do like Mountain's version better -- and sure, West's guitar work is sweet, and works with the chord progression wonderfully - a classic song, innovatively covered
Not a bad version of the song. Unfortunately, it loses something without Leslie West`s guitar playing, particularly in the break. Also Felix`s voice in the original was amazing.
@wildmanbigfoot No it doesn't lose anything, it is a different version. The West guitar works in the Mountain cover, but there is something different - a melancholia that is lacking from the 'Rockier' version. Both are equally good.
And Jack was the reason I stuck with drums...so I could experiment on the many ways to put rhythm against the most innovative lines we have ever heard. A REAL inspiration for all of us!!!!Thank you Jack for advacing the state of the art in bass playing!
Yup, a great song indeed! I've always thought that Bruce was the heart of the Cream. I mean he wrote most of the songs and he did most of the vocals too. I don't want to take anything away from Clapton.:)
A Lord General would know, but you still have to bow down to the Rolling Stones, you gotta admit it, yu're a lord general, but they are El Rey!!!!!!!!!! Love ya.
They all have that look as if they know, when it's coming near their time. Take a look at photos of lost friends, once the process has taken root, whatever the process, mental or physical. Look carefully, you'll see what I mean, it a sad energy that slowly encompasses them. Looks as if they might have known.
I have this album - I believe that Bruce plays most of the instruments on this. One of my favorite Bruce songs and non-Cream performances, along with "Morning Story" and "A Small Map of Heaven"...
Jack is my fucking idol... I fucking love him, he's THE artist.
Salutes from Argentina, long live JACK BRUCE!
JackBruce33Cream 1 month ago
Not only was he one of the finest bass players, but he had a damned great voice. You listen to the intricate bass lines he plays WHILE SINGING! Very few people could do that. Thanks for posting this! Always fills me with reverie, this one.
sulatlalaki 2 months ago
Years back I heard Jack and Leslie West perform this song . The setting was the Howard Stern morning show and I think Jack was live on air and Leslie was on the telephone with Howard. These two came together like no others. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for the memory!
iggystim 2 months ago
Jack is the one and only my biggest musical hero . there is no one like him and no ne whose music has made more of a difference in my life
triptoheaveandho 3 months ago
A great Scotsman!
StreetSidhe 3 months ago
Clapton 'didnt like it' (!) His loss. Leslie owns it and monsters it. Great great tune.
kissyxander 4 months ago
This is just Jack Bruce & friends.
It's true that some of these songs were rejected by Eric & Ginger but that's their loss.
Jack has ALLWAYS provided far better stuff post Cream than the others.
It's a shame Eric is so highly regarded now as opposed to Jack.
Jack has never stood still,allways pushed boundaries.
Have a look at Jack with Joe Bonamassa for old sckool stuff.
Awesome!!
Where's Eric?!!!
blitzman64 6 months ago
@blitzman64
wow what you said!!!!!1 Jack was the genius behind cream and he gave Clapton his best moments
jack should be much more famous than he is......
triptoheaveandho 3 months ago 2
As I understand it, Bruce wrote this song for, and about, Cream, but Clapton for some reason didn't want to play it. I don't know why, it's one of Bruce's best songs imho (maybe his best). Maybe it's just as well, though, since it became one of Mountain's better known songs and Leslie West pretty much owns it now. Still, it would have been nice to see how Clapton would have handled it.
Arbeedubya 7 months ago
Is this with Clapton and Baker?
DiatonicVids 8 months ago
No. This was from Jack Bruce's solo album "Songs for a Tailor" which came out in 1969. Highly recommended!
Glimmer505 8 months ago 3
i forgot all about this beautiful piece. i was lucky enough to meet jack in albuquerque in 1968 when cream played the pit. what a gentleman. got ginger's autograph, clapton didn't show up at the party after the gig, but i remember he played a les paul. a crazy old friend of ours actually put a great big open-reel wollensak up on the stage and RECORDED the concert! nobody said a thing! i have a copy of their alb concert around here somewhere. those were the days, yes they were...
toti4 9 months ago 7
Bruce needs to go to a you tube link called-- englishbluesman .
that's this guy , Joe T.
joe t is the best English style guitar player i have ever heard outside of clapton-beck-page-etc-
i know if he and jack Bruce got together,history would be made.
BLUESWOMANVERA 10 months ago
Mountains cover is killer check it out =)
also this is a pretty good one by Jack
EthanxClarke 10 months ago
Great song, really great voice! But it's missing Leslie West's heart-wrenching guitar. So I do prefer Mountain's version.
microdon2 11 months ago
This is an epic tune .
FazeDrifter 1 year ago
I think eric is a shill for fender as he never plays anything else and has been known to use it as among other things a tennis raquet a canoe paddle and a door stop.
MrNewkingjames 1 year ago
Man, where has this stuff been? I've never heard these songs, and I'm massively into music 60s to 90s. What up? How come this stuff never got played on the radio. It is amazing. Thanks so much for this post Peace!
probrojeffro 1 year ago
What a great song. He is a treasure. Just saw him in NYC and with Tony Williams tribute band. As usual his bass was amazing. Did not do any of his stuff so I was a little bumbed. But being able to be so close to the stage made it more special. Just a shame Cream cant get it together . We all lost decades without them together. So when ever Jack is around I make sure Im there. He was Cream..
jvmitt11 1 year ago
I prefer Mountain's version.
fanofprotopic 1 year ago
@fanofprotopic I'm sure West, Bruce & Laing did a killer version. i have never seen their version of this song on any record. Anybody know if there is a recording out there of West, Bruce &Laing doing Jack's song. I bet he played it at all of their concerts.
cooltooth112 11 months ago
@cooltooth112: There is, and EthanxClarke has posted in.
dhh02192 11 months ago
@cooltooth112 : Mountain's version is on their album "Climbing", but I'm sure there are live versions out there.
dhh02192 11 months ago
@cooltooth112 Actualy it was Felix Pappilardi ( spelling?) who played bass with Mountain and also collaborated on many cream songs. He has a similar bass style as Bruce to be sure.
GHOF62 10 months ago
@cooltooth112
Actualy it was Felix Pappilardi ( spelling?) who played bass with Mountain and also collaborated on many cream songs. He has a similar bass style as Bruce to be sure. It would have been interesting to see Bruce to but....
GHOF62 10 months ago
Comment removed
cooltooth112 10 months ago
@GHOF62 Yes, I agree 100%, don't see the difference. Jack wrote it. Mountain recorded it and Felix played for Mountain. I just said I'm sure there are lots of live versions of the group West, Bruce & Laing performing Theme for an Imaginery Western. Felix was with Leslie first and then when Felix didn't want to tour anymore. Leslie called up Jack Bruce and asked him if he wanted to join him and Corky in a new group West, Bruce and Laing and they put out a killer studio album & toured the U.S.
cooltooth112 10 months ago
@cooltooth112 We agree on everything, I may have said something that confused matters but I agree with you.
cooltooth112 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@cooltooth112 Actually it was Felix Pappilardi ( spelling?) who played bass with Mountain and also collaborated on many cream songs. He has a similar bass style as Bruce to be sure. It would have been interesting to see Bruce to but....
GHOF62 10 months ago
Haven't heard this in nearly 40 years, Still sounds as good as did all those years ago. Thanks for posting this excellent track.
bayerischman 1 year ago
Hello Jack;
I rember i was young being at your concert in Milan a lot of years ago. WONDERFOUL!
motobi200 1 year ago
Mountain was like a poor mans Cream. But Mountain was still a kick ass band.
nholt 1 year ago
Wow, I was just browsing on here and listened to Mountain's version of this song and was pleasantly surprised to find this. I remember seeing West, Bruce, and Lang in Tampa many moons ago and, if I remember right, they did this then. If only I could remember, it must have been awesome. lol Jack Bruce is the guy I always wanted to play like....and sing like too, all those years ago. I'm still blown away.
God Bless!
markhanson56 1 year ago
I missed the days when Clapton was in Cream, born in the wrong time, but i still dig this. Jack Bruce also played bass for Hendrix on Voodoo Chile...not slight return. Another great tune...thanks for posting this
PhunkyPhil72 1 year ago
@PhunkyPhil72 That was Jack Cassidy on bass with Hendrix. Not Jack Bruce. The lineup for that song was Hendrix, Mitchel, Cassidy, and Winwood.
spyguys 1 year ago
@PhunkyPhil72 Actually, it was Jack Cassady, the bass player for the Jefferson Airplane.
VIDJACK 1 year ago
guess where ozzy got his style?
robmatlivingstone 1 year ago
He was SUCH the Voice of Cream. I used to think it was Clapton, but Bruce's voice stood far more the essence.
durgaaa 1 year ago
@durgaaa I read once that Clapton only agreed to do Cream if Bruce did the majority of the singing. I can't remember the source.
joeyballz110 1 year ago
@joeyballz110 -- stands to reason. I was just a kid, and rocking out to the entire sound was all I thought about along with the lyrics. I heard The Cream as an entire entity, and I did not know that only Bruce was doing most of the vocals. 45 years on, I realize how very powerful the memory of The Cream is as the Zeitgeist of the 60s and of my evolving philosophy - all because of the words sung by Jack Bruce who should have been equally as famous as Clapton. Bruce is "GOD" ! Ha ha ha.
durgaaa 1 year ago
@durgaaa - My most inspirational tunes were I Feel Free, Politician, Deserted Cities of the Heart. I was just a little blonde, teenaged California girl in 1966.
durgaaa 1 year ago
@durgaaa : I was digging those very same tunes, being a teenage boy in gritty steel mill towns of Pennsylvania.
alnot01 1 year ago
@alnot01 -Amazing what music can do on the radio airwaves .... and how far those waves travel !
durgaaa 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Does it get any better than this song????? - My teenage years which turned dreams into reality. - THE FUTURE OF ART rested in my hands. - I did it. - MOUNTAIN as inspiration for what was to come. - See for yourself. - - - G A R T E L )))))
LaurenceGartel 1 year ago
Does it get any better than this song????? - My teenage years which turned dreams into reality. - THE FUTURE OF ART rested in my hands. - I did it. - MOUNTAIN as inspiration for what was to come. - See for yourself. - - - G A R T E L )))))
LaurenceGartel 1 year ago
Jack Bruce plays bass better than most lead guitarists. By far, he was the most talented member of Cream.
pmoyer50 1 year ago
This is the type of song that transcends the boundaries of "pop" music. It can stand on its own as a story, a poem, a meditation to a forgotten time. It is a song that should be famous, but unfortunateloy got lost in the shuffle when Jack Bruce left Cream. The Leslie West-Mountain version is okay, but doesn't have the pensive mournful quality that this one has. I appreciate the fact that it will live on in youtube, but I fear most kids today want style without substance.
badjaycl 1 year ago 2
what a song my bro is died in all the knights he told to play and i remenbered my brother i loved you whit all my soukl i iiiiiiiii love you bro you bleranerd me a lot i lovred youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
cristipardi89 1 year ago
Responding to the Jack Bruce Mix; He was in hit band Manfred Mann for a short time and recorded an EP with them. There is a YouTube video of Machines. You can't miss Jack's bass. Ok I cant paste a YouTube link so add this watch?v=xby0UMqp2fI
fredg136 1 year ago
Responding to the JAck Bruce Mix; He was in hit band Manfred Mann for a short time and recorded an EP with them. There is a YouTube video of Machines. You can't miss Jack's bass. Ok I cant post the link "watch?v=xby0UMqp2fI"
fredg136 1 year ago
Mountain sang that SONG
A100Chris 1 year ago
Very powerful song and, rightly, covered by a lot of bands. Unfortunatley only the Mountain cover stands up to Jack´s amazing original performance.
malmhalm 1 year ago
I interviewed Eric Clapton when he played Singapore in 1990. He agreed that his original idea of a Buddy Guy type Blues Trio flew out the window that first rehearsal. He knew he had to play to their level. They were from the Jazz spectrum and he was coming from a Blues spectrum. Perhaps the beginning of Jazz Rock was Cream.
Bluesdirections 2 years ago
@Bluesdirections Cream was the first Blues-rock band and the first supergroup. Jsut because Baker and Bruce had a jazz backround doesnt mean that is what they played with Cream. just give it a listen
Noseheros 1 year ago
Thank you!!!
ceeblu 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
CLAPTON SUCKS''
evelskunny 2 years ago
Chris Spedding on guitar. Jon Hiseman on drums, jack takes care of all the rest. Piano,organ, bass, vocals etc. GREAT MUSIC.
pbstratocaster 2 years ago 4
Jack Bruce and ginger baker were cream they wrote most of the music Jack's a better singer than Eric but he never went the pop route and besides music always makes the guitarist the number one guy
andyman0231 2 years ago 5
Cream had to include all 3 guys. All 3 knew they were the best, thats why they called themselves Cream, because they were the cream of the crop. They would "compete" with eachother to see who the best musician was, and this brought out the great sound that Cream is famous for
minodude01 2 years ago 16
@minodude01 So true! And when they did the reunion thing at Madison Square Garden and I saw it on PBS, I was SO disappointed, because to me, Clapton's sound was the SG and the Firebird. But he chose to play the Strat (my favorite guitar) and it broke my heart. The Gibson sound is what was so predominant to the way that band sounded. Jack's amazing range and bass-playing that was so over-the-top, it was scary-good. Ginger was the king of his domain. Just wish Eric had strapped on a Gibson,,,
squidlycarmichael 1 year ago
@minodude01 Exactly! Be careful of saying one was the master: especially as Ginger suggests that he wouldn't let Eric & his songs onto the albums! However, Jack was a classically trained musician - although one with a bit of an 'attitude' that rubbed people (esp Ginger drummers) up the wrong way. Pity, because it's probably why EC became a big name & JB dropped below the horizon post-Cream. This is a very good melancholic version of TFIW.
anthonythirteen 1 year ago
Comment removed
Alcivarus 2 years ago
The exclusion of Clapton's contribution to Cream in your comment is ridiculous.
Alcivarus 2 years ago
Saw Cream '68 and '05 and everything inbetween (except WBL). Jack is my diety.
arschpirate 2 years ago
With Bob Dylan, it was often the case where somebody else took his own work to another level. The combination of Felix Pappalardi's voice & Leslie West's guitar is the kind of musical alchemy that transforms & elevates the song (plus, Steve Knight's organ gives Mountain's rendition more depth & drive). Jack Bruce was the best male vocal in the era of psychedelic rock but he was never great in WB&L or as a solo act. Consequently, I've always wondered what Cream's version would have been like.
bondurango 2 years ago
Well not so fast my friend different strokes so to speak.You have to listen to the whole body of work.This song is from the disk Rope Ladder to the Moon.One of the great post solo efforts anyone ever made after the breakup of a so called"SupperGroup'.
Cervicconstruction 2 years ago 2
A great "effort" is not greatness and YOU clearly have a lower standard. Jack Bruce's solo work was NEVER great and in no way begins to rival Eric Clapton or other peers, e.g. Pete Townshend, Roger Waters, Janis Joplin, etc. In fact, Jack's work as a solo artist pales in comparison & his work with other "major" players is essentially minor. The Bruce/Brown combination would never have succeeded without Ginger Baker's arrangements and contributions from Clapton, Pappalardi and Tom Dowd.
bondurango 2 years ago
Everyone is entitled to thier opinion.Fine good luck with yours mate.
Cervicconstruction 2 years ago
Some would also say that EC's solo work was of a lower standard than his golden era of Cream, Blind Faith & D&D. You're right to point out that Cream worked so well as a group of 4 musicians (Felix P being an honourary member).
I feel it was personal preference as well as 'attitude', that was the reason for EC and JB's post-Cream careers, in a commercial sense, diverging. Not difference in talent.
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
I never even suggested Clapton's solo work was better than his Cream work. I said his solo work was better than Jack's because his individual talent is greater than Jack's & from an artistic & not just a a commercial view that's a consensus embraced by most including fellow Cream member, Ginger Baker. It would be interesting to see Clapton do this song on his own, but all you have to do is compare solo covers of Bruce/Brown material by EC versus JB & you'll know what I'm talking about.
bondurango 2 years ago
EC's greater 'talent' is in understanding the commercial realities of making a career in popular music - not necessarily a bad thing as all professional musicians have to make a living! I'm not convinced that EC's versions of Cream songs are better than JB: look for the latter's live version of White Room with the ex-Roxy Music guitarist! JB is a multi-instrumentalist & arranger/writer - reflecting his classical & Jazz backgrounds. EC is generally more limited: also I am a big fan of both!
anthonythirteen 2 years ago 3
I never suggested that you did say EC's solo work was inferior - please re-read my original comment "some people" - actually, many seem to think this & there are many ridiculing EC's work, which is unfair!
Also, let's face it, Ginger B was never JB's biggest fan...
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
No the original album was "Songs for a taylor". (Rope ladder to the moon was one of the tracks).
pbstratocaster 2 years ago
Jack Bruce: A hero to me.
Jory, Israel
JoryGKenneth 2 years ago
If you ever caught Jack's interviews, he learned many bass lines from JS Bach's music, part of the reason he is such an original talent
bigbadfitter 2 years ago
Ha, ha, ha! One of the criticisms of JS Bach is that he didn't come up with much that was 'original' but synthesized other (less famous) Germanic composers!
I do agree that JB's classical training helps to make him a more multi-dimensional writer/arranger than just drawing from the Blues, for example.
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
wow lol, the live version is a lot better xD that suprised me
StopTheMoti0n 2 years ago
Getting old,old,old. Thanks for posting, haven't heard this for almost 40 years, his old solo album I used to have long gone. Thanks. Have to go look up old Dave Mason, same deal as Bruce, in the shadows of Clapton and Winwood.
steinforgovernor 2 years ago
How goofy most appear, to not know Jack bruce.
He wrote this song, plays the baddest azz jazz fretless bass guitar, and there is noone equal to him. He inspired me on the bass, and I have to thank you Jack, I`ve enjoyed the ride the entire time. Stay with us brother !!! Tristan
goodtimesrollinz 2 years ago 2
Same feelings.He's been my bass hero since I was a teen who played rhythm guitar,broke the high E and B strings and Danny our guitarist suggested I play bass on those remaining strings.the rest is bass history as I play every wkd of each year. How about Dreaming from Fresh Cream and Those were the Days.thank you from my heart Jack Bruce.Saw him with Cream and 3 other times with friends and of course West Bruce and Laing!
bassyck 2 years ago
Jack's vocal on this is excellent on this, as was Felix' on Mountain's version on Mountain: Climing!
I have to admit I prefer Leslie West's guitar, partly because you can really hear him wringing a superb vintage sound out of his his tasty old vintage (50s) Les Paul Junior that gives his lead guitar solos that classic Gibson Les Paul bite..
One of their best songs as well..
bloosdoode 2 years ago 3
Mountain's version was the first version I heard of this song. It was a few years before I found out it was Jack Bruce originally wrote it. I like Felix's vocal delivery better. ...and it would have also been nice to hear Bruce do this with Clapton, because Leslie's solos add a lot of energy to the song. That being said I do like some elements Bruce adds as well. I would like to hear a combined version of "Theme" with the best elements from each.
jayleeds2006 2 years ago
Jack bruce has never gotten the recognition he deserves. great musician
wbc363 2 years ago 4
Coming from the Mountain version, I've imagined this as how Jack would best do this song.
Now I think the perfect version is somewhere in between.
avs002 2 years ago 2
i personally think mountain did a better version
hippyrockskull 2 years ago
Bravo!
electrikfox 2 years ago
Much talk here of Bruce's virtuosity on bass guitar, but it all begs the fact that he also has one of the most recognizable singing voices in the history of "rock" and he knows how to use it. Age hasn't diminished it much either, the way it has Plant, Lake, and even Anderson. Hey, he's no slouch on harp (harmonica) as well. "Traintime" is two talented musicians making an awful lot of sublime noise!
ngiyaxolisa 2 years ago 6
You pretty much nailed it. He's simply one of the greatest and most complete musicians that we have seen to date. Keep on rockin' Jack.
annerenzo 2 years ago 7
IAN OR JON ANDERSON???
johntaper74 2 years ago
must be Ian, Jon is still sounding good, although i think he's ill at the moment
HoskieDC 2 years ago
i cant wait to get all his early solo cds. I personally think that from what i've heard from his first 3 solo albums, that was when he was at his best.
DDInDaHouse187 3 years ago
You folks ever hear Leslie West do this song? (not the Mountain version) The best rendition I have ever heard.
hugatag 3 years ago
I do believe what you are refering to is this legendary version Im about to give ya...
Its right here on youtube, search:
"Theme For An Imaginary Western - Jack Bruce & Leslie West"
depper 3 years ago
Thank you thank you. That is the one.
hugatag 3 years ago
An awful lot of comments posted here are complete shit and display people's lack of musical knowledge. Every musician has his/her own qualities and are to be enjoyed. If you don't happen to like a musician it doesn''t mean they are crap. Mountain recorded an awesome version of this song, completely different from Jack's. I love them both, but don't expect everyone else to. As for Jack's musicianship, anyone who thinks he's less than world class doesn't know their musical arse from their elbow!
colandmary 3 years ago 3
Exactly. I don't care that much for the 1980s West/Bruce version, especially when compared to this JB and the original Pappillardi versions of the 1960/70s, but that's not to say its total crap either! There is something about this version, though, which moves me more than West's overdriven versions. To each his own?
anthonythirteen 3 years ago 3
Jack wrote the song you JACKASS. You know nothing about music dip shit
CaptRaven54 2 years ago
JACK BRUCE WROTE THIS SONG....
djteleboy 2 years ago
And exactly where in my comment did I suggest that anyone else had written it? If you feel the need to slag people off, at least get your facts right you f*ck*ing moron.
colandmary 2 years ago
masterpiece
valentynesuite 3 years ago
Jack Bruce was indeed the most under rated rock guitar bass player of all time. Mainly due to the fact his genius was forged before the advent of hyper media exposure...Listen to Badge and someone please tell me he is not one of the greatest bassist of all time...
LCC0256 3 years ago 2
best bass player in rock history, absolutely
valentynesuite 3 years ago
Didn't Felix Papillardi play the bass on 'badge'?
anthonythirteen 3 years ago
Jack played bass on Badge, Felix played keyboards (and produced).
welloiledmachines 2 years ago
Had Cream done this, I wonder how Clapton's lead would have measured up against Wests' blistering lead?
octaviustentacles 3 years ago
It's impossible to find a Jack Bruce cd, and it pisses me off.
DDInDaHouse187 3 years ago
excellent !
myethnicgroup88 3 years ago
I've just been listening to the Leslie West version of the "Night of the Guitar" album. It is incredible. What a great song.
kawah88 3 years ago
Yea, Jack is underrated at times, but that voice will echo on and on forever after he's gone, he's a tough bastard and earns his keep, -new liver and all..
sunphuk 3 years ago 6
jack bruce is a better singer than robert plant- and i enjoy led zeppelin immensely. Jack anchored Cream much like Felix anchored Mountain. I'll take an anchor bass/lead vocalist over a primadonna any day of the week!
nukes27 3 years ago 3
My meaning exactly!
Mortslake 3 years ago
.... the real musician of Cream ... sorry Eric.
picchaz 3 years ago 4
As much as I cherish what Eric Clapton brought to the Cream, there is no doubt that Jack Bruce was Cream's master talent: Songwriter, arranger, bass player and vocalist.
carbarundum 3 years ago 23
dont forget pianist & cellist! ;)
Mortslake 3 years ago
@carbarundum I, agree wholeheartedly with you ..Seen, Cream on "Wheels Of Fire Tour",and Jack Blew it all away ,Unreal Time and Musician, He was Cream....
DYNODRUM 1 year ago
@carbarundum Have to agree with you there. In an interview, Clapton said he learned alot from Bruce...also a classical Cellist.
They were magic together with Baker.
GHOF62 10 months ago
Always LOVED this version.
"or the music when they played,
oh, the fires that they started,
all the girls with no regrets,
sometimes they found it,
sometimes they kept it,
often lost it, on the way"
npspec34 3 years ago
My favourite song,sung by my fav.artist! Saw Jack in Canterbury festival 2001,woz fantastic! R.I.P. Felix Pappalarldi,the sweetest vocals, my teenage favourite.
PiePaivi 3 years ago 4
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nova1967bay 3 years ago
I saw Jack perform this Live and he dedicated the song to his friend(the Late GREAT)Felix Pappalardi. I cried through the entire song and Standing ovation. Great song. Jack is a class act all the way.
SKYVOLTAGE 3 years ago 3
Spectacular. A meteor across the sky.
llutorhtej 3 years ago 3
Brings back so many memories. Thanks for putting this vid up. Very nice.
ConditionalID 3 years ago 3
Bruce,one of the very best rock bass players ever,marvellous voice!!!!
chrisufromaut 3 years ago 4
Jack Bruce and Cream were great (musically). But any backlash he recieves is well deserved. I mean, why on earth would you sit there and whine and moan and bash your peers...it's just not classy.
Note: Of course Plant would have had to have the keys lowered, but listen to the original recordings how high and powerful he sang, could you expect him to replicate that live now? But indeed, Plant would have no problem replicating Jack Bruce's vocal lines in a second (Way easy).
jeffscottjeff 3 years ago
the cream were only together 28 months.... and jack does have a small beef... the cream had alot of great tunes for a band together a little 2 years.... had.. the cream been together 12-13 years like... zep..... jack would've won the war of words easily... it's still close... jack... you had alot to do with rock history... and yes.. your name is rarely mentioned... u are still one of roks greatest... and always will be!!!!!
Ezwider109 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Obviously, the pathetic words of a marginal artist, rendered irrelevant, by Jimmy Page's work many, many, years ago. A sad bitter little man.
leddhed 3 years ago
Jack Bruce has got a great tenor soul voice (or did), very powerful & emotional - anything he sings I like -- but Felix P gave it a more spiritual sound (I guess falsetto does that) - result: total props to Bruce as creator of the song, but gotta say, I do like Mountain's version better -- and sure, West's guitar work is sweet, and works with the chord progression wonderfully - a classic song, innovatively covered
SupernalOne 3 years ago
An English man sings about the greatness of America, priceless! Spiritual!
zeekzippit 3 years ago
PLEASE-'Scotsman'...
ohisashiburi 3 years ago
Sorry, on second thought he had to be Scotch or Irish!
zeekzippit 3 years ago
just brilliant anyway right...*^^*
ohisashiburi 3 years ago
Right!
zeekzippit 3 years ago
Thanks for all the great comments everyone!
jackbbruce 3 years ago
though i know your not jack bruce, and you're lame. thanks. lmfao.
7Underwood7 3 years ago 5
Long Live for Jack Bruce and his music !
ivocoser 3 years ago
Mountain made this song come alive IMO.
phoule613 3 years ago
Not a bad version of the song. Unfortunately, it loses something without Leslie West`s guitar playing, particularly in the break. Also Felix`s voice in the original was amazing.
wildmanbigfoot 3 years ago
This IS the original! Jack wrote it and its on his solo album Songs for a Tailor.
TheMindfulOne 3 years ago
yeah, lol... this is the original version of the song. And, it's the best version of the song in my opinion.
7Underwood7 3 years ago 8
I agree, but in this version we have the Jack Bruce´s voice.
ivocoser 3 years ago
@wildmanbigfoot No it doesn't lose anything, it is a different version. The West guitar works in the Mountain cover, but there is something different - a melancholia that is lacking from the 'Rockier' version. Both are equally good.
anthonythirteen 1 year ago
@wildmanbigfoot this is the original not mountain.
phs9452 1 year ago
@wildmanbigfoot this is the original moutain covered jacks song
phs9452 1 year ago
spot on. it was jack,s bass playing which took eric,s playing to new hights
cbcacbca 3 years ago
Jack was the master of the EB-3
MAD4MALAGATANI 3 years ago
jack bruce is god!! talent dripping from his veins, clapton was so lucky to have him the true star of cream
djteleboy 3 years ago
And Jack was the reason I stuck with drums...so I could experiment on the many ways to put rhythm against the most innovative lines we have ever heard. A REAL inspiration for all of us!!!!Thank you Jack for advacing the state of the art in bass playing!
BrimptonFopp 3 years ago
jack bruce is the reason i changed from drums to bass
franki61 3 years ago 4
and why I changed from bass to drums! (he was too good!)
drumsanddrumming 3 years ago 3
hahahaha
7Underwood7 3 years ago
Yup, a great song indeed! I've always thought that Bruce was the heart of the Cream. I mean he wrote most of the songs and he did most of the vocals too. I don't want to take anything away from Clapton.:)
augie1111 3 years ago 3
Great song
mikekorz 3 years ago
And mee :):)
JackBruceInMyHeart 3 years ago
and MEEEEE
7Underwood7 3 years ago
great hah :)
JackBruceInMyHeart 3 years ago
I still love Jack Bruce!
BilliHeathMusic 3 years ago
Me too :)
LoveMarriott 3 years ago
A great genius. What a golden time.
bcat44 3 years ago
This song brings back a time when there wasn't any limit to
what talented folks could bring to the music world.....this song is JUST one of those little gems that always make me smile.
thanks for sharing this one.
mike
dagnil4 3 years ago
A Lord General would know, but you still have to bow down to the Rolling Stones, you gotta admit it, yu're a lord general, but they are El Rey!!!!!!!!!! Love ya.
Finallybenunderstood 3 years ago
beautiful song...thank you.
lordgeneral9 3 years ago
They all have that look as if they know, when it's coming near their time. Take a look at photos of lost friends, once the process has taken root, whatever the process, mental or physical. Look carefully, you'll see what I mean, it a sad energy that slowly encompasses them. Looks as if they might have known.
Finallybenunderstood 3 years ago
What is that from?
7Underwood7 3 years ago
a time long ago, it's time to move on, I think. Beautiful song for all our friends, and allies, wouldn't you say?
Finallybenunderstood 3 years ago
One of my favourite songs! Jack Bruce has a great voice I think.
HaisleySnook 3 years ago
I have this album - I believe that Bruce plays most of the instruments on this. One of my favorite Bruce songs and non-Cream performances, along with "Morning Story" and "A Small Map of Heaven"...
burdinus 3 years ago 2
ero bambino quando l'ho sentita ora dopo 40 anni posso dire che è un capolavoro.
tayanka 3 years ago
speak inglese! rudeness...you know!?
18tgn 3 years ago
why?
DeivProductions 3 years ago