Jack Bruce

Jack and Joey were both in top form, and both seemed to be enjoying themselves. The sound was amazing, and Jack can still jam just like he used to. Godfrey Townsend (no relation to Pete) was an excellent EC stand-in, and The drummer kept a Ginger Baker-inspired beat with little deviation.

Joey Molland played his set straight, respecting the integrity of Badfinger's fabulous song library. His voice was true and he didn't seem bored by having to play his musical heritage for the umpteenth time. Jack Bruce also seems to now fully embrace his marvelous contribution to rock. His fretless bass playing[now using a four string, not a five string as in shows past] may have lost a small step but is still great. Jack's voice is still powerful, distinctive and commanding. My only disappointment was that they did not share the stage for a few songs. To have heard Joey singing Clapton's harmonies on a few Cream songs and Jack riffing on some Badfinger rockers would have been very special.

Although BB's is a bit cramped and far too warm ( come on guys...crank up the AC a bit! ) the music was terrific! The opening act 'The Funky Knights' were a bit hard to look at and even odd in appearance but they played some amusing tunes once they settled in. This was followed by Joey Molland doing a Badfinger review and it was very good with their top songs all played perfectly. Nice to hear these great songs again, performed by one of the original guys. And then out came Jack! He looked great and sang wonderfully. He opened on keyboards with 'Theme For An Imaginary Western' and then picked up his fretless custom bass and made it an evening with Cream! It was like a dream come true. Not only did Jack sound great but his backup band was absolutely superb and the guitarist suberbly played many of Clapton's riffs in most of the songs, which included 'Sunshine', ' NSU', We're Going Wrong', 'Politician', "I'm So Glad', 'Sittin' On Top Of The World' , 'White Room' amoung others not necessarily in that order. He encored with a more 'Fresh Cream' sounding version 'Spoonful' . All his players were top notch which included Hammond, Drums, Lead Guitar, Jack on Bass and Keyboards, and fill in keyboards as needed. I wish I had the names of the players since they all deserved an honorable mention in this great effort. It was a great evening in NYC, especially if you are a Cream fan! I'm already looking forward to Jack's next visit to BBK's. Along with some additional A/C!

The Jack Bruce concert at B.B. Kings in NYC on August 10th was amazing. Jacks Band which consisted of Godfrey Townsend on guitar, Steven Murphey on Drums, and Bernie Worral on the Hammond B3 organ were all sensational! The set-list was fantastic as it was just like attending a Cream concert and the sound was excellent. Jack appeared to be in good health, had a very strong voice, and as expected killed it on the Bass on every song. A guest appearance by John Paris?on harmonica for Spoonful rounded out the presentation.

First of all, Joey Molland playing Badfinger songs is great. His stories about the Beatles and Apple Records are entertaining. Even though you go to see Jack, Joey is a pleasant surprise. Jack Bruce is Jack Bruce. Anything else to say? A living legend with one of the most distinctive voices anywhere. All Cream hits. No solo stuff, except Imaginary Western. He gave the packed house what they wanted. Why 4 stars and not 5? The volume!! Ginger was right..."please Jack, turn it down, my hearing's going!" Being a bass player, I would have liked to actually hear the noted he played! For me, just seeing him play and sing 20 feet away at BB King's was enough.

Opening act Funky Knights started strong but got boring and repetitive half-way thru their thankfully short set. Joey Molland did a more than credible job on Badfinger material (assuming the lead vocal on Hammond penned hits) with great audience interaction. Most amazing was seeing a musician as totally awesome as Jack Bruce up close while enjoying food & drink at your table. Even his stamina was way stronger than the last time I saw him live at the Cream reunion at MSG several years ago. Overall an evening of good food, good drink (try the Memphis Margarita), great performances, incredible music.

There is no question to 'Who is Cream' after seeing how lovingly these songs were played last night at BB Kings. In 1970 one of my first albums was 'Good Bye Cream' The music was as hip as it was back then and still gives the sense of identity of how cool everything was back then for our generation. Bruce was still walking back to turn up his amp as we got the sound from the stage rather then a piped in sound. He began so sad with one of his melancholic solo songs (Theme to an Imaginary Western) and finished with such energy (Spoonful) I was to have this memory of this fabulous man playing to his people the songs we love and hold in us. Joey Molland was the best intro to this experience. Wonderful rendition of the Badfinger hit songs and a personal insight before each one. He gave it his all - and yes - quickly you love Badfinger too!