Cream debut gets deluxe edition treatment

Late January 2017 sees the deluxe edition release of Fresh Cream, the debut album by British, blues boom, power trio, Cream. The 3 CD/Blu-ray Audio set comes housed in a gatefold sleeve within a rigid slipcase and includes a 64-page hardback book, featuring new sleeve notes by respected Rolling Stone writer, David Fricke. The set comprises various alternate and new stereo mixes plus several, previously unreleased BBC sessions. A special 6 LP 180-gram vinyl edition of Fresh Cream will also be released in April 2017.

Originally released in 1966, at the height of the UK blues bloom, Fresh Cream showcased the not inconsiderable talents of three of the then music scene’s brightest lights: Eric Clapton fresh from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers; drummer, Ginger Baker straight from the Graham Bond Organisation and versatile bassist and musician, Jack Bruce who, at the time, had just left Manfred Mann. Collectively the three had decided to give up their roles as much sought after sidemen to form their own super group.

Coming together as Cream in the early summer of 1966, the trio moved at impressive speed to make the release of Fresh Cream in December of the same year. Highlights include the racing harmonica work-out and the call and response excitements on Muddy Waters’ “Rollin’ and Tumblin’,” a spine-tingling vocal on the Willie Dixon classic, “Spoonful,” as well as the self-penned “Sleepy Time Time,” which gave Clapton a free hand to wake up all and sundry. Their rousing treatment of the traditional standard, “Cat’s Squirrel” alerted listeners to just how well Clapton, Baker and Bruce musically complemented each other.

3 CD/1 Blu-ray Audio | 6 LP

CD 1:

Fresh Cream – Mono Album
1. N.S.U.
2. Sleepy Time Time
3. Dreaming
4. Sweet Wine
5. Spoonful
6. Cat’s Squirrel
7. Four Until Late
8. Rollin’ And Tumblin’
9. I’m So Glad
10. Toad

Session Recording – Mono Mix
11. The Coffee Song

The Mono Singles
12. Wrapping Paper [A-side & B-side of Cream’s 1st UK single, Reaction 591007, released 7 October 1966]
13. Cat’s Squirrel [A-side & B-side of Cream’s 1st UK single, Reaction 591007, released 7 October 1966]
14. I Feel Free [A-side & B-side of Cream’s 2nd UK single, Reaction 591011, released 9 December 1966]
15. N.S.U. [A-side & B-side of Cream’s 2nd UK single, Reaction 591011, released 9 December 1966]
16. Spoonful Part I [A-side & B-side of Cream’s 3rd US single, ATCO 45-6522, released September 1967]
17. Spoonful Part II [A-side & B-side of Cream’s 3rd US single, ATCO 45-6522, released September 1967)]

The Mono French EPs
18. Wrapping Paper (Alternate Mix) [French EP, Polydor 27 791, released November 1966]
19. Sweet Wine (Alternate Mix) [French EP, Polydor 27 791, released November 1966]
20. I’m So Glad [French EP, Polydor 27 791, released November 1966]
21. Cat’s Squirrel (Alternate Master) [French EP, Polydor 27 791, released November 1966]
22. I Feel Free (Alternate Mix) [French EP, Polydor 27 798, released November 1966]
23. Rollin’ And Tumblin’ (Alternate Master) [French EP, Polydor 27 798, released November 1966]
24. N.S.U. [French EP, Polydor 27 798, released November 1966]
25. Four Until Late [French EP, Polydor 27 798, released November 1966]

CD 2:

Fresh Cream – Stereo Album
1. N.S.U.
2. Sleepy Time Time
3. Dreaming
4. Sweet Wine
5. Spoonful
6. Cat’s Squirrel
7. Four Until Late
8. Rollin’ And Tumblin’
9. I’m So Glad
10. Toad

Session Recordings – Stereo Mixes
11. I Feel Free
12. Wrapping Paper
13. The Coffee Song

New Stereo Mixes
14. I’m So Glad [Previously Unreleased]
15. N.S.U. [Previously Unreleased]
16. Wrapping Paper [Previously Unreleased]
17. The Coffee Song [Previously Unreleased]
18. Rollin’ And Tumblin’ (First Version) [Previously Unreleased]
19. Spoonful (First Version) [Previously Unreleased]
20. Toad [Previously Unreleased]

CD 3:

Fresh Cream – Early Versions Outtakes & Alternate Mixes

All tracks previously unreleased except “You Make Me Feel” which was first released on the box set Those Where The Days, Polydor 314 539 000-2, in September 1997

1. The Coffee Song (Early Version)
2. You Make Me Feel (Session Outtake)
3. Beauty Queen (Session Outtake)
4. Wrapping Paper (Early Version)
5. Cat’s Squirrel (Early Version)
6. I Feel Free (Early Version)
7. I Feel Free (Mono Mix without Lead Vocal)
8. I Feel Free (Alternate Mono Mix)
9. Sweet Wine (Early Version)
10. Rollin’ And Tumblin’ (Early Version)
11. Toad (Early Version)

The BBC Sessions (November 1966 – January 1967)
BBC Light Programme “Saturday Club” Session – Recorded at the Playhouse Theatre, London, November 8, 1966
12. Sweet Wine
13. Eric Clapton Interview
14. Wrapping Paper
15. Rollin’ And Tumblin’
16. Sleepy Time Time [Previously Unreleased]
17. Steppin’ Out

BBC Home Service “Guitar Club” Session
Recorded at BBC Studio 2, Aeolian Hall, London, 28th November 1966
18. Crossroads
19. Steppin’ Out [Previously Unreleased

BBC World Service “R & B Club” Session
Recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, London, 9th December 1966
20. Cat’s Squirrel
21. Traintime
22. I’m So Glad
23. Lawdy Mama

BBC Light Programme “Saturday Club” Session
Recorded at the Playhouse Theatre, London, 10th January 1967
24. Eric CLapton Interview
25. I Feel Free
26. N.S.U.
27. Four Until Late

Blu-Ray Audio Disc

Fresh Cream – US Stereo Album in 24/96 Hi Resolution Audio
1. N.S.U.
2. Sleepy Time Time
3. Dreaming
4. Sweet Wine
5. Spoonful
6. Cat’s Squirrel
7. Four Until Late
8. Rollin’ And Tumblin’
9. I’m So Glad
10. Toad

Stereo Bonus Tracks:
11. Spoonful
12. Wrapping Paper
13. The Coffee Song

Fresh Cream US Mono Album in 24/96 Hi Resolution Audio
14. N.S.U.
15. Sleepy Time Time
16. Dreaming
17. Sweet Wine
18. Spoonful
19. Cat’s Squirrel
20. Four Until Late
21. Rollin’ And Tumblin’
22. I’m So Glad
23. Toad

Mono Bonus Tracks
24. Spoonful
25. Wrapping Paper
26. The Coffee Song

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com