“Crossroads” by Cream
I was listening to Cream, when a lot of people were going the Hendrix route. Although I thought Jimmy Hendrix was a great guitarist, this list is about the British guitarists.
5songpjct: When was Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds?
Dad: I think that Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were in The Yardbirds at the same time. Jimmy Page played bass just to get in the band.
I am reading wikipedia as we are talking…
5songpjct: It looked like Clapton quit the Yardbirds because he didn’t want to be confined to three minute singles and started working with John Mayall.
Dad: A lot of bands didn’t want short songs, but that is how you got on the radio. Radio was a factory that needed to pay the bills. They needed to fit in advertising, and sell 45’s.
5songpjct: What made you choose “Crossroads?”
Dad: It is recorded live and there isn’t one mistake, the band is tight. Listening to this song, you would think that it is recorded in the studio. Live albums don’t usually sound that good. On this song there are no whiny crackling voices, no cheering or clapping, it isn’t mixed, no forgotten or missed notes. I think it is the best guitar on a live album. I don’t mean to take away from Baker or Bruce but it is just pure guitarist. There wasn’t anyone backstage pushing buttons trying to make it sound better like they can do now. It was just Clapton. It is just so good.
5songpjct: Did you see Eric Clapton live?
Dad: No. I didn’t get the chance to see Cream, Eric Clapton was in that band at this time. They really weren’t together that long as a band.
TOMORROW….Jeff Beck (Yardbirds member 1965-1966)