Blind Faith was a supergroup formed from Cream members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Traffic founder Steve Winwood, and Family bassist/violinist Ric Grech. Cream collapsed after increasing strife between members, particularly Baker and bassist Jack Bruce. Traffic went on hiatus, and Winwood began jamming with Clapton in his basement. Baker sat in on a session shortly after they moved to Traffic's rehearsal space in Berkshire, and was added to the lineup after some reluctance from Clapton was overcome. F...
Blind Faith was a supergroup formed from Cream members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Traffic founder Steve Winwood, and Family bassist/violinist Ric Grech. Cream collapsed after increasing strife between members, particularly Baker and bassist Jack Bruce. Traffic went on hiatus, and Winwood began jamming with Clapton in his basement. Baker sat in on a session shortly after they moved to Traffic's rehearsal space in Berkshire, and was added to the lineup after some reluctance from Clapton was overcome. Finally, Grech was invited to join, and left the Family in the middle of a U.S. tour, creating understandable grievances.
The group created blues-oriented and psychedelic rock for their eponymously named Blind Faith debut album. A summer tour was launched, but it was a challenging thing. Clapton didn't want to do long jam sessions on the tour, but their single album was not a lot of material for a concert. As a result, they wound up playing a significant amount of Cream and Traffic songs. This delighted the audience, but irritated and distanced Clapton.
Despite great buzz from critics and fans alike, the group was destined to only last a few months. Clapton began drifting away while on tour, spending more time with opening act Delaney & Bonnie. He would eventually join that group prior to launching Derek & the Dominos. Ginger Baker would move on to form Ginger Baker's Air Force, bringing in Winwood and Grech for a short stint before Winwood rejoined Traffic.
Rob brings us this short-lived supergroup in this week's podcast.
Had to Cry Today
The title track dispenses with the 3-minute single format in favor of a long form jam written by Steve Winwood. The lyrics are ambiguous, and could reference a dying relationship, or perhaps a friend drifting away.
Can't Find My Way Home
Winwood also wrote this well-known single from the album, covered by a number of artists including Joe Cocker, Alison Krauss, and Bonnie Raitt. Winwood has been asked about the meaning of the lyrics, but has said that discussing song lyrics is a little like explaining a joke - it doesn't add anything to the experience. Clapton leaves his electric guitar in favor of a rare acoustic one for this song.
Well All Right
This track is the only one not written by members of Blind Faith. Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison, and Joe B. Mauldin wrote this song, and Holly sang it in 1958. Clapton takes lead vocal duties on this song.
Sea of Joy
A piece of Winwood's writing also leads off side two of the album. While some believe the song references hallucinogens, a simpler meaning would be simply the joy of being on the water. “And I'm feeling close to when the race is run. Waiting in our boats to set sail. Sea of joy.”
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Pfft You Were Gone (from the variety show “Hee Haw”)
This country comedy and music show premiered on CBS in this month. Buck Owens and Roy Clark led an ensemble of regulars and guests in this variety show.
STAFF PICKS:
These Eyes by The Guess Who
Wayne starts out the staff picks with a song co-written by lead singer Burton Cummings and lead guitarist Randy Bachman. This was their breakout song, with lyrics that describe the devastating feeling in the days following a long relationship break-up.
Badge by Cream
Lynch reminds us that while Cream may have disbanded by this time, their music was still on the charts. Eric Clapton and George Harrison wrote this song. It was supposed to be called "Bridge," but was named "Badge," due to a misreading of the handwritten title. George Harrison plays rhythm guitar, credited as "D'Angelo Misterioso" to avoid contractual issues.
Oh Happy Day by the Edwin Hawkins Singers
Bruce features the first gospel song to hit the charts, reaching number 4 on the US singles chart. Edwin Hawkins took a hymn originally written by Phillip Doddridge in 1755, and updated it with a piano introduction inspired by Sergio Mendes and lyrical improvisations influenced by James Brown.
See by The Rascals
Rob finishes the staff picks with the fuzzy lead off and title track to the Rascals sixth studio album. Between 1966 and 1968, the Rascals released a number of soul-inspired singles. This album marked a change in the band's focus from blue-eyed soul to psychedelic rock.
COMEDY TRACK:
Gitarzan by Ray Stevens
One of the earliest comedy singles from Stevens closes out our podcast this week.
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