The Psych Ward–Disraeli Gears by Cream
The Psych Ward–Disraeli Gears by Cream
Disraeli Gears was the second studio release by the incendiary British power trio Cream. Released in November 1967, the LP captures some of the group’s most audacious and psychedelic studio moments, before interpersonal conflicts resulted in their disbanding the following year. Recorded in a mere four days in May 1967 at Atlantic Records in N.Y.C., the band members had no time to spare as their visas expired on the final day of the sessions.
“Strange Brew” kicks off this vintage album with a catchy groove originally recorded as “Lawdy Mama,” driven by Jack Bruce’s snaky bass line and eerie falsetto vocals by Eric Clapton and Bruce. The hook that begins “Sunshine of Your Love” is one of the most eminent guitar & bass riffs of all time, inspiring countless rock musicians over the decades to pick up and plug in their first axes – including this greenhorn teenager over thirty years ago. This rock anthem also features Bruce and Clapton trading vocals effectively to complement each other.
Following the lead hit singles are three tracks that never cracked the radio charts. “World of Pain” attempts to be poignant; however, its three distinct sections are incongruent. Jack Bruce’s “Dance the Night Away” meanders pleasantly, with trippy Eastern-tinged picking by Clapton. “Blue Condition” is oddly angular, as the band’s only released studio track sung solely by drummer Ginger Baker.
The mythological psych rocker “Tales of Brave Ulysses” is 1967 bliss, highlighted by Clapton’s first use of the newly-invented wah-wah pedal, as Bruce ardently sings Martin Sharp’s free verse retelling of fabled Ulysses, a.k.a. Odysseus.
In a recent interview with Psychedelic Scene’s Bassam Habal, “SWLABR” lyricist Pete Brown spilled the beans about the meaning of this frantic, campy song: “’She Was Like a Bearded Rainbow’ is about a guy who gets dumped and goes around defacing pictures of his girlfriend.” Ginger Baker’s tribal, percussive flares stand out in “We’re Going Wrong” amidst the atonal, minimal instrumentation.
“Outside Woman Blues” recalls the straight-forward, hooky blues rock that encompassed the group’s debut album Fresh Cream. The blues theme continues in “Take It Back,” dominated by Jack Bruce’s ebullient voice and harmonica. The LP concludes humorously with “Mother’s Lament,” a whimsical piano ditty drenched in droll British wit.
Disraeli Gears is essential listening for fans of Golden Age psych, looming large as Cream’s most aspiring and definitive studio release. It’s a shame that this archetypal power trio lasted only two years, in a meteoric trajectory befitting the mythic demise of Icarus more than gallant Ulysses.
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