By Mark Grove
Eric Clapton played with one of music's real blues bands,with John Mayall and The BluesBreakers.That set the tone for what he did with Cream.Cream were one the first real Rock,Jazz Fusion Bands around.
Cream if you don't know was a trio with Clapton who was real blues, Jack Bruce on Bass,and Ginger Baker on drums.Both Baker and Bruce were Jazz guys.Who'd a thunk it that they would become some of the most sought after players,who to this day a lot of bluesmen use their material for jams,and for demos and cover material.
That should tell you something right there.
A lot of bands from the late 60's tried to get away from blues and were more Rhythm and blues based than real blues.Even The Stones only had snippets of blues in their late 60's early 70's material.
Cream had such great players that at times they were what I call "Headcutting" on stage and literally trying to out play one another. So go online or go to a specialty record store and buy a CD, or if you really want to go back,buy a vinyl version of a Cream album.
Get your band to learn from one of the great acts of the late 60's. Try both Cream and John Mayall who Clapton played with before Cream. Include a couple tracks of theirs in your jams or set lists.
They also have some more jazz like material that will stretch your band's playing dynamically and be the better for it.
I'll have another article up on the blog tomorrow on why players should start by playing and recording using Analog equipment,not digital or computer based equipment. And don't use modelling amps either. That just makes you a garbage player in my books.
I'm just waiting for the emails now stating that I don't know jack shit.Believe me,to become the player you should be don't use digital when you start out.
So enjoy the interview with Clapton who says some very illuminating things on where you should be taking stock of other players from,or learning from.
Peace and Success to all players.
Mark G
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