Goodbye [LP]

by Cream

Overview

After a mere three albums in just under three years, Cream called it quits in 1969. Being proper gentlemen, they said their formal goodbyes with a tour and a farewell album called -- what else? -- Goodbye. As a slim, six-song single LP, it's far shorter than the rambling, out-of-control Wheels of Fire, but it boasts the same structure, evenly dividing its time between tracks cut on-stage and in the studio. While the live side contains nothing as indelible as "Crossroads," the live music on the whole is better than that on Wheels of Fire, capturing the trio at an empathetic peak as a band. It's hard, heavy rock, with Cream digging deep into their original "Politician" with the same intensity as they do on "Sitting on Top of the World," but it's the rampaging "I'm So Glad" that illustrates how far they've come; compare it to the original studio version on Fresh Cream and it's easy to see just how much further they're stretching their improvisation. The studio side also finds them at something of a peak. Boasting a song apiece from each member, it opens with the majestic classic "Badge," co-written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison and ranking among both of their best work. It's followed by Jack Bruce's "Doing That Scrapyard Thing," an overstuffed near-masterpiece filled with wonderful, imaginative eccentricities, and finally, there's Ginger Baker's tense, dramatic "What a Bringdown," easily the best original he contributed to the group. Like all of Cream's albums outside Disraeli Gears, Goodbye is an album of moments, not a tight cohesive work, but those moments are all quite strong on their own terms, making this a good and appropriate final bow. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/30/2015
Label:	Polydor
UPC:	0600753548479

Tracks

1. I'm So Glad
2. Politician
3. Sitting on Top of the World
4. Badge
5. Doing That Scrapyard Thing
6. What a Bringdown

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cream   Primary Artist
George Harrison   Guest Artist,Guitar
Eric Clapton   Vocals,Guitar
Jack Bruce   Keyboards,Harmonica,Vocals,Organ,Bass,Piano
Felix Pappalardi   Mellotron,Viola,Piano,Bass
Ginger Baker   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
L'Angelo Misterioso   Guitar (Rhythm)

Technical Credits

George Harrison   Composer
Eric Clapton   Composer
Jack Bruce   Composer
Felix Pappalardi   Producer
Chester Burnett   Composer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Skip James   Composer
Pete Brown   Composer
Joseph M. Palmaccio   Digital Remastering
Robert Stigwood   Arranger,Producer
Adrian Barber   Engineer
Peter Brown   Composer
Ginger Baker   Composer
Bill Halverson   Engineer
Walter Vinson   Composer
Damon Lyon-Shaw   Engineer
Dennis M. Drake   Digital Remastering
Haig Adishian   Art Direction
Lonnie Chatmon   Composer
Alan Aldridge   Cover Design
Roger Philips   Photography