Cream: Fresh Live Cream

Rating:
Summary: Not an official DVD release
Review: before you send off over $100 for one of these DVDs, read the reviews and wonder why the sound quality is poor and the price so high - could it be that these DVDs are being pirated from the original VHS release in 1993? My info is that the licences were not renewed so the programme has not been officially released on DVD - which would have given the distributors the chance to clean up the soundtracks and the picture. buyers beware!

Rating:
Summary: Cream of the Cream
Review: Fantastic DVD. A real tribute to the band, their music, and their effect on rock and roll, even though they were only around for 2 very short years. A very nice job of interlacing archival footage of the band with interviews from all 3 members in 1993 to cover the entire history of the band. The live video footage must be accepted for the time in which it was recorded. Even still, knocked my socks off. Actually adds to their historical impact. Almost all of the live songs are full length. A nice treat. They all talk about wanting to reform the band after playing at their induction into the rock and roll hall of fame. Maybe someday... A must have for any Cream fan, and anyone else interested in the roots of modern times rock and roll.

Rating:
Summary: Cream of the Cream
Review: Fantastic DVD. A real tribute to the band, their music, and their effect on rock and roll, even though they were only around for 2 very short years. A very nice job of interlacing archival footage of the band with interviews from all 3 members in 1993 to cover the entire history of the band. The live video footage must be accepted for the time in which it was recorded. Even still, knocked my socks off. Actually adds to their historical impact. Almost all of the live songs are full length. A nice treat. They all talk about wanting to reform the band after playing at their induction into the rock and roll hall of fame. Maybe someday... A must have for any Cream fan, and anyone else interested in the roots of modern times rock and roll.

Rating:
Summary: Eric Clapton was never better
Review: Great for seeing Clapton at his "guitar god" peak.

Rating:
Summary: The Making of Fresh Live Cream
Review: I just signed on to ALO & found the reviews for my video version of "Fresh Live Cream" - delighted that you guys liked it, can't tell you how extraordinary it was for me to make the video, find the lost footge & clear the band - God was totaly on my case for that one - I also make a TV verson, including 2 x tracks from Hall Of Fame Reunion, which I prefer to the video as more narrative, the distrbutors decided to release DVD without my knowledge, which is a shame as I would have added loads of more stuff - anyway it was fun & one day I will recut my own multimedia version to tell more of the 'true' story. Peace & Love. Martin Baker

Rating:
Summary: The best video document on the legendary group
Review: It's amazing how many releases of Hendrix material there has been and yet Cream has been largely ignored or treated shabbily. This video is the happy exception. The highlights are the "rehearsal" songs performed live with no audience. Although only one camera and substandard sound was used, it's still the best footage taken of the group. And it's worth the price of the disc alone. The emotional interviews with each member is icing on the cake. And the context setting for their music and roots is excellent. If you're an old baby boomer like me, it'll bring a tear to your eye. If you're a bit younger and want to see why they were indeed the Cream, this will do it!

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive & enlightening, with great footage
Review: Ive been a Cream fan for well over 15 years, and this Video (or DVD) is a great source of info on the band and it's short but powerful history. I was very glad that there was not much footage of the Albert Hall Concerts as they really were very poorly filmed (camera and post production went overboard on special effects) and the band just did not have much drive by that point. The footage that is included is impressive. As could be expected, you wont be getting THX or SurroundSound or much of a digitally remastered experience here though. Accept this as the most definitive to-date documentary on Cream out there. The interviews were very well timed and inserted with a bit of taste and appropriate moderation. The only thing id like to see more would be an entire live concert from start to finish with no narraration or heavy handed editing...

Rating:
Summary: Better than Farewell Concert but what else is there?
Review: Musical group films are spotty. Not too many capture the excitement or thrill of a live concert let alone the first time a group really catches your attention. The directors perhaps try too hard & miss the point in the process? Most run like wannabe "rockumentaries". Can't say this is a must have film, but considering the lack of any other footage in print for this group ... I suppose it is a must have, at least for 25+ years fans of the group. At least there wasn't any ooozzing lava-lamp antics like those in the Farewell Concert!

Rating:
Summary: Poor Cinematography
Review: The cinematography almost ruins this video. About eighty percent of the footage has the camera all of two feet from Jack Bruce's face. There is almost no footage of Clapton, except in the background and out of focus. It is almost better to just listen to this video than to watch it. The interviews are informative and interesting (except for Ginger Baker, who took way too much acid). The songs were well selected and most are full length. All in all it is entertaining the first time you watch it, but ceases to be so during repeat viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Don't expect to see Clapton play a lot.
Review: The footage is good but camera mainly focuses on Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, Clapton is usually in the background. A bit of a pain when you hear Eric playing but only see Jack or Ginger, ugh. Good if you need the historical/documentary value. In the meantime play Live at Hyde Park, Unplugged, 24 nights or Live at Montserrat for your Clapton fix.