Hello everyone and happy listening!  Next up in the alphabetical universe are Stanley Cowell and Cream.

Stanley Cowell

• Blues for the Viet Cong – Man, I love Stanley Cowell.  This record also stars Steve Novosel (amazing DC-area bassist) and Jimmy Hopps, who I don’t really know otherwise, but sounds great here.  This record is Cowell’s first as a leader, having recorded earlier with Roland Kirk, Max Roach – and a favorite of mine – Charles Tolliver.  He plays piano and electric piano on this record, and between the two instruments, seven original compositions and one standard, he creates a wide-range of fascinating music.  Love it.
• Illusion Suite – Another great one, this time with Stanley Clarke on bass.  The writing and arranging is even more far reaching, if you can believe it.  And Stanley Clarke is just amazing on this record.  Another hit!

Cream

• Goodbye – Speaking of hits, here are some Cream records.  I loved Jack Bruce’s bass playing as a kid, and the truth is that I still do, even though the style of this music is not exactly my preference these days.  Ginger Baker is solid as a rock throughout, and Eric Clapton does pretty well for “God.”  I think I first heard this as a toddler on my parents’ reel to reel player.
• Best of Cream – On to the actual hits!  Ok, I have a major problem with one of the tunes on this record.  I only just noticed this, and who knows why, but man, I don’t agree.  On “Spoonful,” the harmonica routinely bends the blue third sharp.  That tiny little shift transforms this tune completely into something…well, like an English Garden.  Don’t believe me?  Here’s Howlin’ Wolf:

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0aIjyX7vwI]

And here’s Cream (skip towards the end, like in the 3:55 range):

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lRmVOGw3M]

And here’s an English garden:

• Live Cream – They sure sounded good together.  Bruce is incredible on this.
• Live Cream II – Also, incredible.  “Tales of Brave Ulysses” remains one of my all time faves from Cream.  I think it’s because I love line cliches.  Also, Clapton and Baker rule on “Hideaway.”

Ok, that’s it and moving on!  Carpe diem!

R.