It had been decided to record them during this residence to provide the 2^nd album of ‘Wheels of Fire’.but that was later on. There were the usual two sets and this bootleg comprises the full 1^st set but only "Stepping Out" from the 2^nd. Parts of "Spoonful", "Toad" and "Traintime" exist but they are literally fragments and sound quality is extremely poor.

The Concert opens with NSU being performed in a very different mode to what we are used to with extended slow tempo passages and great dynamic variations. The most stunning thing is Clapton’s free-time playing as he seems to be making maximum effort to keep away from fours. He even seems to be trying to break out of the pentatonic scales to achieve some jazz-like (but not jazz!) playing. Naturally Baker and Bruce just respond and coax and suggest and prompt.

"Politician" is the most interesting inclusion as we at last can hear it as they performed it in the golden period. Unfortunately they are still not comfortable with it and it is a stiff performance but, never the less, quite excellent with Eric’s beautiful tone from the Les Paul SG and Ginger’s syncopation.

"Sunshine of Your Love" is a medium length intense rendition and much, much superior to the flat official release. Eric opens the solo in beautiful sustained woman tone quoting "Blue Moon" then roles through one of his ‘architectural’ solos. The ending jam is fascinating as they start at a furious tempo and then drop into a slow tempo with Eric playing fractured licks in sustained woman tone and then chording and ….

"I’m So Glad" was the set closer and they rip it up over 14 minutes. The jam commences at the usual tempo but once again this night it moves through great variations in tempo and dynamics.

This boot, as effective listening, ends with "Stepping Out". Once again it is vastly superior to the official release.

Unfortunately this is variable quality with Stepping Out being marred by low frequency noise. Basic balance is good because of the quality PA. However the bootleg has been doctored with crude bass lift (all the versions I have heard). The sound is thus drastically effected which also compounds Stepping Out’s problems.

Conclusion

This recording shows that the official releases contain more conservative playing as a result of the ‘being recorded for posterity’ factor. Luckily the last date of the 10^th had some tensions which engendered an excellent performance. But, compared to the 3^rd, they were not as inventive. Eric is at his most inventive and the leader this night playing at unusually restrained tempos and trying some interesting harmonic variations.

Winterland

March 10 1968     Poster Courtesy of my friend from Melbourne, Mark Wakeham Large version (130KB!)

This was the final night of the live recordings. More than likely they were not satisfied with what was already in the can – audio and musical. So this night they planned to do a classic set including the solo features. An unexpected source of tension was the late arrival of Baker - out of his car and virtually straight onto the stage.

* Wheels of Fire - Live at the Fillmore    ** Live Cream    *** Live Cream Vol II

© Graeme Pattingale 1999