Cream Recording Sessions

Compiled by Graeme Pattingale with the assistance of Bob Elliott & John Walasko.

Master = the finished recording that was released, redubbing = replacing previously recorded tracks, o'dubbing = adding new tracks.

4 Track Console

Studio: early August, 1966. Chalk Farm (Rayrik) Studios, Chalk Farm, London

John Timperly, Engineer; Robert Stigwood, Producer

Coffee Song (rehearsal): Unreleased/Bootleg

Coffee Song (Master): bonus track on Fresh Cream CD/Those Were the Days
Released in three versions: mono, crude stereo mix, stereo as on the above

Beauty Queen (instrumental): Unreleased/Bootleg

You Make Me Feel (instrumental rehearsal): Lost, probably overrecorded

You Make Me Feel (Take 1/Rehearsal): Those Were The Days

 
Studio: late August, 1966. Chalk Farm (Rayrik) Studios, Chalk Farm, London

Wrapping Paper (Take 1/Rehearsal): Bootleg

Wrapping Paper (Master): A Side of 1st Single/ bonus track on Fresh Cream CD/Those Were The Days
Note: A slightly different mix was released in France and is available on Bootleg

Studio: early September, 1966. Ryemuse Studios,  Spot Productions Ltd, Mayfair, London

John Timperly, Engineer; Cream & Timperly, Production

Cat's Squirrel (Take 1/Rehearsal): Unreleased/Bootleg

Cat's Squirrel (Alternate Master with alternate o'dubbed lead guitar): French EP & now only available on Bootleg. 
This master  was probably overdubbed into the released master and therefore no longer exists.

Cat's Squirrel (Master): B Side of 1st Single/ Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days
The single was released in the UK in October and peaked at 34 on the charts

I Feel Free (Rehearsal ): Unreleased/Bootleg

I Feel Free (Basic Track): Unreleased/Bootleg

I Feel Free (Master): A Side of 2nd Single/ Fresh Cream LP (US) & CD/Those Were The Days
An alternate mix was released on a French EP and is now only available on Bootleg

N.S.U.: B Side of 2nd Single/ Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days
The single was released on December 9 1966 in UK and peaked at 11 on the charts.  Released in US in January 1967.

Studio: Mid October, 1966

Dreaming: Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Sleepy Time Time (Alternate Master with alternate o'dubbed lead guitar): French EP & now only available on Bootleg. 
This master  was probably overdubbed into the released master and therefore no longer exists.

Sleepy Time Time: Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Sweet Wine (Take 1): Unreleased/Bootleg

Sweet Wine (Take2 - Feedback version): Unreleased/Bootleg

Sweet Wine (Incomplete Master): Bootleg

Sweet Wine (Master): A Side/Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days
Released as a Single in the US with Ooh Lawdy Mama as A side in August '69.
An alternate mix was released on a French EP and is now only available on Bootleg

Radio: 21st October 1966, BBC Radio 1, "Bandbeat". BBC Studios, London.

Spoonful: lost

Sleepy Time Time: lost

Rollin' and Tumblin': lost

Studio: Early November, 1966.

Ryemuse Studios,  Spot  Productions Ltd, Mayfair, London

John Timperly, Engineer; Cream & Timperly, Production

Four Until Late: Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days
An alternate mix was released on a French EP and is now only available on Bootleg

Rollin' and Tumblin' (Take 1): Unreleased/Bootleg

Rollin' and Tumblin' (Master): Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Toad (Rehearsal): Unreleased/Bootleg

Toad (Master): Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

TV: 4th November 1966, ITV, "Ready, Steady, Go". ITV TV Studios Wembley, England. Broadcast 4th November 1966.

NSU, Wrapping Paper: lost Manfred Mann was on this show and their negative reaction to Wrapping Paper brought pressure for  "I Feel Free" to be released. RSG was live to air but was probably videotaped as RSG cuts are available from this era.   Rehearsing Live to air

Radio: 8 November 1966, BBC Radio 1, "Saturday Club". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 11th November 1966.

Sweet Wine: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Clapton interview: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Wrapping Paper (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Steppin' Out: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Rollin' and Tumblin': Lost/Bootleg

I'm So Glad): Lost/Bootleg
Features Eric quoting the Marseilles as a tribute to Charlotte Martin his French girl friend at the time

Sleepy Time Time: Lost/Bootleg

Radio: 28th November 1966, BBC Radio 1, "Guitar Club". BBC Studios, London.

Crossroads: lost

Sitting on Top of the World: lost

Steppin'out: lost

Studio: Early December, 1966. Ryemuse Studios, Spot Productions Ltd, Mayfair, London

John Timperly, Engineer; Cream & Timperly, Production

I'm So Glad  (Incomplete Master): Bootleg

I'm So Glad: Fresh Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days
Note: The master is a mono mix only, all stereo releases are artificial.

Spoonful: Fresh Cream LP  & CD/Those Were The Days
Released as a 2 sided single in the US in September 1967.

The Fresh Cream Studio Sessions were completed on 8th December 1966 with final mixing/track layout. Both Stereo (excluding "I'm So Glad") and Mono mixes were prepared.  "Wrapping Paper" was excluded as it didn't represent their current direction. "The Coffee Song" was to be included on Side 2 but was subsequently dropped. "I Feel Free" was not on the UK vinyl release and replaced Spoonful on the US vinyl release (both were on the Australian release, we came out better for once!). While production credit is to Robert Stigwood he only directly participated in the August sessions after which Ginger actively discouraged his involvement. Jack, Ginger, Eric and John Timperley shared the production duties with Stigwood participating in the final selection of tracks. Recording was four track = 2 tracks for basic and two tracks for overdubbing.  The album was slated for release on 9th December in the UK on Stigwood's Reaction Label but it didn't hit the streets until just before Christmas.  It peaked at No.6 on the UK charts.  It was released in   March 1967 in  the USA on the ATCO label and peaked at 30 on the charts.

Radio: 9th December 1966, BBC Radio 1, "Rhythm & Blues World Service". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 9th January 1967.

Cat's Squirrel: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Traintime: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Lawdy Mama: Transcription/ Eric Clapton's "CROSSROADS" Box Set

I'm So Glad: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg.
Again features Eric quoting the Marseilles.

Radio: 21st December 1966, BBC Radio 1, "Top of the Pops". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 29th December 1966.

I Feel Free: lost

Radio: 10th January 1967, BBC Radio 1, "Saturday Club". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 14th January 1967.

Clapton interview: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Four Until Late (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

I Feel Free  (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

N.S.U  (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Traintime: Lost/Bootleg

Toad: Lost/Bootleg

Radio: 16th January 1967, BBC Radio 2, "Monday Monday". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 16th January 1967.

Probably a rebroadcast of previous material

TV: 26th January 1967, BBC TV, "Top of the Pops". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 26th January

Live lipsync, song unknown but probably I Feel Free: lost

Film: Late January/Early February, 1967

I Feel Free (promo film): Strange Brew (video)

TV: 24th February 1967, TV, "Beat Club". Bremen, Germany. Broadcast date 24th February 1967

I Feel Free (lipsync): The Cream of Eric Clapton (video)

Live: 7th March 1967. Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden . Recorded & Broadcast on Swedish AM Radio.

N.S.U.

Steppin' Out

Traintime

Toad

I'm So Glad

All unreleased - the tape still exists in the Swedish radio archive.

Studio: March 15 1967, Ryemuse Studios, Mayfair Productions, Mayfair, London

We're Going Wrong (demo): Those Were The Days

Hey Now Princess (demo): Those Were The Days

SWLABR (demo): Those Were The Days

Weird of Hermiston (demo): Those Were The Days

The Clearout (Instrumental demo): Those Were The Days

Take it Back (demo): Unreleased

Blue Condition (instrumental demo): Unreleased

These were live in the studio with only SWLABR sounding like it has some overdubbed harmonica. Eric is using the SG, notably on Hey Now Princess where he uses the vibrato arm. There may have been some other demos/rehearsals as well according to John Platt.

Radio: 27th March 1967, BBC Radio 2, "Monday Monday". BBC Studios, London.

Probably a rebroadcast of previous material

Studio: Atlantic Studios, New York. Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Tom Dowd.   In Atlantic Studios April 3rd 1967

Studio: April 1967. Atlantic Studios, New York.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Ahmet Ertugen (3rd & 4th April only), Engineer - Tom Dowd.

3th April

Ooh Lawdy Mama (Version 1/Basic): This version is the same arrangement as 9th December BBC version

Ooh Lawdy Mama (Version 2)/Strange Brew (Basic): B Side/Live Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days
Released as a Single in the US with Sweet Wine from Fresh Cream as A side in August '69.
Note:  Ahmet Ertugen and Robert Stigwood get joint production credits but Stigwood was in London!  Arif Marden may have been the engineer on this day.

4th April

Strange Brew (o'dubbs/Master): A Side of 3rd Single/Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days
The basic Lawdy Mama (Version 2) was overdubbed with new lead guitar and vocals/lyrics

Lawdy Mama (Version 1o'dubbs): Those Were The Days
This was considered for the B Side of Strange Brew.

11th-14th May

Note:  The following order is indicative only, based on interviews and recollections, primarily with Jack Bruce, who indicates that when they ran out or material staring Clapton they turned to his songs.

Tales of Brave Ulysses: B Side of 3rd Single/Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days
Note:  The mono mix has a very different balance indicating it was the B-side mono mix.  The single was released in the UK & US  in June and peaked at no.17 in UK.

Outside Woman Blues: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

World of Pain: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Sunshine of Your Love: A Side/Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Swlabr: B Side of Sunshine single/Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days
The single was released in the  US  in December '67 and reissued in February '68 and peaked at no.5. It was not released in UK until September 1968 where it peaked at no.25..

We're Going Wrong: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Take It Back: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Dance the Night Away: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Blue Condition: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Mother's Lament: Disraeli Gears LP & CD/Those Were The Days

The final Disraeli Gears recording sessions were completed on the day their US work visas expired. It was a very live session with minimal takes and overdubbing. Recording was 8 track with stereo and mono mixes prepared. Only the master tapes exist as the session tapes were lost in the Atlantic Records tape archives fire in 1976.  The album was released in the UK on the Reaction Label in 1st half of November and peaked at No. 6 on the charts.  It was released in the US on ATCO in early December and peaked at No. 4.

TV: 19th May 1967, TV, "Beat Club". Bremen, Germany. Broadcast date 19th? May 1967

Strange Brew (lipsync): The Cream of Eric Clapton (video) & Strange Brew (video)

TV: 22nd May 1967, BBC TV, "Dee Time", Simon Dee Show. BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date ?

Strange Brew (miming to pre-recorded): Bootleg

Radio: 30th May 1967, BBC Radio 1, "Saturday Club". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 3rd June 1967.

Strange Brew (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Clapton Interview: Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Tales of Brave Ulysses (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

We're Going Wrong (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

TV: 1st June1967, French TV, "1st Festival of Pop Music". Palais Des Sports, Paris, France. Broadcast date ?

I Feel Free (live): Fresh Live Cream (video) We're Going Wrong (live): In existence - unreleased and possibly other songs

Off-air - Live in the Studio

Studio: Early July 1967. IBC Studios, London.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Adrian Barber

White Room (Basic Track)

Sitting On Top of the World (Basic Track)

Born Under a Bad Sign (rehearsal)

Radio: 14 July 1967, BBC Radio "Joe Loss Show". BBC Studios, London.

Studio: early August 1967. IBC Studios, London.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Adrian Barber

White Room (Overdubs): Alternate version with no wah wah and shorter coda - Unreleased/Bootleg. Effectively it was to be completely rebuilt over future sessions - with only the feedback guitar/tympani intro and drums being retained ie the very basic 4 track.

Born Under a Bad Sign (Basic Track)

Fallstaff Beer Commercial (2 takes): Bootleg

Fallstaff Beer Commercial (one of above with advertising voice over intro): Those Were The Days

The 4 track session tapes should still exist as copies should have been retained in London.

Studio: Mid September 1967. Atlantic Studios, New York.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Tom Dowd

Sitting On Top of the World (o'dubbs/master): Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Born Under a Bad Sign (o'dubbs/master): Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

White Room (redubbs)

Studio: Early October 1967. Atlantic Studios, New York.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Tom Dowd

Pressed Rat and Warthog (Basic Track)

Anyone for Tennis (Basic Track)

White Room (Redubbs/Overdubbs)

Radio: 24th October 1967, BBC Radio 1, "Top Gear". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 29th October 1967.

Outside Woman Blues (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Born Under a Bad Sign (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Take It Back (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost /Bootleg

TV: 11th November 1967, TV-Byen. Gladsaxe, Denmark. Broadcast date ?

NSU (live): Lost

Strange Brew (live): Lost

I'm So Glad (live): Lost

TV: 13th November 1967. Helsinki, Finland. Broadcast date ?

All Lipsync: Sunshine of Your Love, World of Pain, Tales of Brave Ulysses and Outside Woman Blues

Radio: 15th November 1967, BBC Radio 1, "Dave Symonds Show". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast ?.

Songs unknown: lost

TV: 26th November 1967, BBC TV, "Twice A Fortnight". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast ?.

We're Going Wrong (lipsync to live pre-recorded): incomplete Fresh Live Cream (video)

Radio: 2nd December 1967, BBC Radio 1, "Happening Sunday". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast ?.

Songs unknown: lost

TV: ? December 1967, French TV (16mm film) Revolution Club, London. Broadcast date ?

Tales of Brave Ulysses (live): Fresh Live Cream (video)

Sunshine of Your Love (live): Fresh Live Cream (video)

Spoonful (live): Fresh Live Cream (video)

Studio: 12-15th, 24th December 1967. Atlantic Studios, New York.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Tom Dowd

Pressed Rat and Warthog (o'dubbs/1st master): Bootleg

Anyone for Tennis (o'dubbs/1st master): Bootleg

White Room (redubbs/o'dubbs/1st Master)

Radio: 9th January 1968, BBC Radio 1, "Top Gear". BBC Studios, London. Broadcast date 14th January 1968.

Politician (with o'dubbs):  Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg
This is the first performance of Politician. Pete provided the lyrics over the phone after the basic instrumental was laid down.

Steppin' Out: Transcription /Eric Clapton's "CROSSROADS" Box Set

Swlabr (with o'dubbs): Unreleased Transcription/Bootleg

Blue Condition: Lost/Bootleg

TV: 5th February 1968, Vognmandsmarken, Copenhagen, Denmark. Broadcast date 6th February

World of Pain (lipsync): Included in Film "On A Saturday Night"

We're Going Wrong (lipsync): Included in Film "On A Saturday Night"

Studio Session: 10-20th February 1968. Atlantic Studios, New York.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Tom Dowd

Anyone for Tennis (redubbs/final master): A Side/bonus track on Goodbye Cream CD/Those Were The Days
The vocals were redubbed with slightly changed lyrics

Pressed Rat and Warthog (redubbs/final master): B Side of Anyone/Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days
Some guitar redubbed.  Single released in UK on Polydor (reaching no.40) and US on ATCO in May '68.

Politician (Almost completed)

Passing the Time (Basic Track)

White Room (additional Wah-Wah Overdub)

Deserted Cities of the Heart (Basic Track)

As You Said (Basic Track)

Note:  These were virtually completed except for some overdubbing (violas etc) and final mixing.

Film: March 7-9, 1968, 16 mm film, "All My Loving" music documentary for the BBC. Fillmore & Winterland, San Franciso

I'm So Glad (live): incomplete (still available?)

Toad (live): incomplete (still available?)

A great deal of film was shot using at least 2 cameras.  Does it still exist?

Live: 7 March 1968. Fillmore, San Francisco. Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Bill Halverson FIRST SHOW Tales of Brave Ulysses: Lost N.S.U.: Lost Politician: Lost Crossroads: Lost Rollin' and Tumblin': Live Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days Sweet Wine: Lost

EC cuttin' Wheels of Fire Live

SECOND SHOW

Spoonful: Lost

Sunshine of Your Love: A Rough mix Released on After Midnight single CD

Sitting on Top of the World : Lost

Steppin' Out: Lost

Traintime: Lost

Toad: Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days (with added edit from 8th March)

I'm So Glad: Lost

Live: 8 March 1968. Winterland, San Francisco.

FIRST SHOW: Tape reel was literally  Lost

SECOND SHOW

Cat's Squirrel: Lost

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost

Spoonful: Lost

Stepping Out: Lost

Traintime: Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Toad: Unreleased except for guitar/bass/drums instrumental edit into 7th March version on Those Were The Day

Live: 9 March 1968. Winterland, San Francisco.

FIRST SHOW

Tales of Brave Ulysses: Lost

N.S.U.: Those Were The Days

Sitting On Top of the World: Lost

Crossroads: Lost

Sweet Wine: Lost

SECOND SHOW

Sunshine of Your Love: Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Spoonful: Lost

Sleepy Time Time: Live Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Stepping Out: Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days (not March 10 as officially stated)

Traintime: Lost

Toad: Lost

I'm So Glad: Lost

Live: 10 March 1968. Winterland, San Francisco.

FIRST SHOW

Tales of Brave Ulysses: Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Spoonful: Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Crossroads: A Side/Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days
B side was "Passing the Time".  Single relaesed in US on Atco in February 1969 (reaching no. 28).

We're Going Wrong: Unreleased/Bootleg

Sweet Wine: Live Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

SECOND SHOW

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost/Bootleg

N.S.U.: Live Cream LP & CD

Steppin' Out: [Wrongly credited on Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days] Lost/Bootleg

Traintime: Lost/Bootleg

Toad: Lost/Bootleg

I'm So Glad: Lost/Bootleg (fragment only)

The live recordings were engineered by Tom Dowd and Bill Halverson and recorded to 8 track.  Cream's concert volume levels made for extremely difficult recording conditions which they only really got on top of by the 10th and thus supplying the majority of the releases.

TV: 17th May 1968, "The Summer Brothers Summer Comedy Show". CBS Studios, Los Angeles. Broadcast 19th May

Anyone for Tennis (lipsync and miming): Fresh Live Cream (video) Sunshine of Your Love: Video included in an Eric Clapton TV documentary/Those Were The Days Hosted by Glen Campbell as the summer replacement for the Smothers Bothers comedy show and thus the title of the show.

Studio Session: Mid June 1968. Atlantic Studios, New York.

White Room (mixing/master): A side/Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days
The single was an edit minus a verse and truncated ending jam however it was released complete in some countries

Those Were the Days (o'dubbs/mixing/master): B Side/Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days
The single was released in UK in January 1969 on Polydor (reaching no. 28) and in the US in October '68 on ATCO (reaching no.6).

Passing the Time (o'dubbs/mixing/master): Those Were The Days (complete)

Passing the Time (master edit): B Side/Wheels of Fire LP & CD

Politician (mixing/master): Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

As You Said (o'dubbs/mixing/master): Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Deserted Cities of the Heart (o'dubbs/mixing/master): Wheels of Fire LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Note: This session was just the final tidying up and mixing of the album by Felix and Jack.  Eric and Ginger had gone home.

Wheels of Fire was a double album of one record of studio tracks and one record of live. Studio was a mixture of 4 (UK) & 8 track  and Live were 8 track recordings. The Atlantic session  tapes were lost in the 1976 tape archives fire. A few additional live tracks exist as  Felix had pre-mixed them for possible use and they had been stored as masters.

Live Session: 4 October 1968. Oakland County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California.

Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineer - Bill Halverson, Remix - Adrian Barber

White Room: Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Politician: Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Crossroads: Unreleased/Bootleg

Sunshine of Your Love: Unreleased/Bootleg

Spoonful: Unreleased/Bootleg

Deserted Cities of the Heart: Live Cream Vol II LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Passing the Time/Drum Solo (aka Scatafaragus): Unreleased/Bootleg

I'm So Glad: Unreleased/Bootleg

Live: 18 October 1968. The Forum, Los Angeles.

White Room: Lost

Politician: Lost

I'm So Glad: Lost

Sitting On Top of the World: Lost

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost

Crossroads: Lost

Traintime: Lost

Toad: Lost

Spoonful: Lost

Live: 19 October 1968. The Forum, Los Angeles.

Introduction by Buddy Miles: Unreleased

White Room: Lost/Bootleg

Politician: Goodbye Cream LP & CD

I'm So Glad: Goodbye CreamLP & CD/Those Were The Days

Sitting On Top of the World: Goodbye Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days

Crossroads: Lost

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost

Traintime: Lost

Toad: Lost

Spoonful: Lost

Live: 20 October 1968. Sports Arena, San Diego, California.

White Room: Lost

Politician: Lost

I'm So Glad: Lost

Sitting On Top of the World: Lost

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost/Bootleg

Crossroads: Lost/Bootleg

Traintime: Lost/Bootleg

Toad: Lost/Bootleg

Spoonful: Lost/Bootleg

Note: These were recorded to 4 Track with a very poor instrument channel allocation and balance.  The Oakland Concert was actually prepared for release with "Crossroads" as a single.

Studio Session: Early November 1968. Wally Heider Studios, Los Angeles.

Jack's Tune: Unreleased (possibly "Theme for an Imaginary Western")

Ginger's Tune: Unreleased (probably what was to become "What a Bringdown")

Eric's Tune:  Unreleased (the basic recording of Badge)

These studio sessions were done at the end of the Final US tour and are entered into the Atlantic tape logs on Nov 19 for the first two and Nov 21 for the last.

Live: 26 November 1968. BBC TV. Royal Albert Hall, London. Director - Tony Palmer

FIRST SHOW

White Room: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Politician: Lost

I'm So Glad: Lost

Sitting On Top of the World: Lost

Crossroads:Lost

Toad: Lost

Spoonful: Lost

Sunshine of Your Love: Lost

Steppn' Out: Lost

SECOND SHOW

White Room: Lost/Bootleg

Politician: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

I'm So Glad: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Sitting On Top of the World: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Crossroads: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Toad: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Spoonful: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Sunshine of Your Love: Farewell Cream/Strange Brew (Videos)

Steppin' Out: Lost/Bootleg

These shows were Videotaped for a BBC TV documentary but were transferred to Film for additional editing and adding of effects. A 16mm camera was also used for centre stage shots and that film is supposed to still exist. The Farewell Cream video contains the TV show edit (50min) while the Strange Brew video contains similar material plus the additional edits that were part of the substantially longer 16mm film release. Both intersperse some visual edits from the first concert. The sound tapes were live mixed to mono and it appears that those from the first show have been lost. The second show was the superior performance but still way below their best.

Studio Session: End November-Early December 1968. IBC Studios, London. Producer - Felix Pappalardi, Engineers - Damon Lyon-Shaw Badge: A side/Goodbye Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days Doing That Scrapyard Thing: Goodbye Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days What a Bringdown: B side of Badge/Goodbye Cream LP & CD/Those Were The Days The single was realsed in April '69 on Polydor in UK (reaching no. 18) and Atco in the US.

George in studio (Beatles)

Only on Badge were they 'together' as a group as it was a session being run by George Harrison (a Beatle has authority you know!) in L.A. On "Doing That Scrapyard Thing", Jack laid down the basic piano/bass with Eric and Ginger overdubbing. Pete created the lyrics on the fly while listening to the song over the phone. Jack overdubbed on "What a Bring Down". Felix successfully managed a tricky production exercise.

"Badge" was completely created in the studio in L.A. under George's guidance with it being finished off in London.  The other tracks were also finished off in London with final overdubbing/mixing.

While another double album was envisaged by Stigwood, the three studio plus three live tracks made up the single album release Goodbye Cream. Live & Studio were recorded on 8 track.   The album was realsed in March 1969, in UK on Polydor  (reaching no. 1) and in US  on Atco (reaching No.2).

Dating of this session is confused because of the incorrect recording of the session dates in the Atlantic logs.  The three songs are entered as "IBC Studios, London, June 12, 1968."  This is clearly wrong and is the result of the simple confusion between the American and English shorthand recording of dates:  6   December 1968 in English shortand form is 6/12/68 but in US is 12/6/68.  Marc Roberty has the sessions in October but this is not possible as they were heavily occupied in touring the US.  The Atlanrtic logs have entries for for the LA sessions in November (see above).  So basic sessions in LA in early November and finsish late Nov/early december in London fits the known facts and recollections.

TV: 12th January 1993, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Los Angeles, Cal. Broadcast 12th January 1993

Sunshine of Your Love (live): Unreleased/Bootleg

Born Under a Bad Sign (live): Unreleased/Bootleg. Dedicated to Albert King who had recently died.

Crossroads (live): Unreleased/Bootleg
Included on the Fresh Live Cream TV version

Bootlegs of the rehearsals also exist which includes some fine interplay between Jack and Ginger.

SOURCES

This sessionography has been assembled with the assistance of Bob Elliott and John Walasko.  The major sources are listed below but much minor detail has been obtained from analysis of interviews, resolving of conflicting information, information from collectors and by reasoning based on known facts. There is not guarantee that this is perfectly accurate, it can't be especially when the recorded 'facts' can be found to be incorrect.

Overall Sources

John Platt, Disraeli Gears

Marc Roberty, Eric Clapton: the Complete Recording Sessions 1963-1992

Michel Ruppli, Atlantic Recordings Vol 2

Guinness Book[s] of:  British Hit Singles, British Hit Albums

Us album/hits books

Fresh Cream Sessions

Steve Hoffman, DCC  "Fresh Cream" Cover notes.

Robert Stigwood Organisation documentation in the possession of various collectors

Disraeli Gears

Ruppli, Platt, and various interviews

Wheels of Fire

Ruppli, Hoffman, and various interviews

Goodbye

Ruppli and various interviews

BBC, Radio and TV

Ken Garner,  In Session Tonight: The Complete Radio One Recordings

BBC Programme guides

Collector's off-air recordings

Additions and Corrections Welcome!!

This compilation is Copyright © 2000 by Graeme Pattingale.

16th March 1998, Major Update/Corrections Nov 2000