Rating: NNN
Rock’s first power trio formally dissolved in 68 with a famous show at the Royal Albert Hall, and now, some 37 years later, they’ve returned to the scene of the crime. We may have Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton to thank for the never-ending, show-off solos that gave us everything from Iron Butterfly to Phish, but this set embraces the ethic of economy, moving along nicely through its two hours. Never known for their voices, the boys jam it out in fine form. Now past the point of trying to prove who’s better, they coalesce in a way that sounds like a true trio rather than three separate soloists. With an ace set list and excellent sound quality, this is easily Cream’s most cohesive live recording, and – dare I say it? – the definitive one.
