November 2nd & 3rd, 1993 in Cologne was the perfect setting for the 50th birthday celebration for none other than legendary Scottish bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce. Recorded for the Rockpalast TV show, this 2DVD set features footage from both concerts, which includes guests such as former Cream mate Ginger Baker, guitarists Clem Clempson & Gary Moore, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, keyboard player Bernie Worrell, drummer Simon Phillips, and many others. As you would imagine, there are a wide assortment of songs played, including Bruce solo material, old blues standards, and of course Cream classics.
Many of the performances here are quite endearing, like old friends getting together for a birthday party full of music. Bruce for his part sounds great vocally, and his impressive bass skills as always are on display, especially on the handful of songs with Moore & Baker (the trio later did an album together based on the fun they had here), and the many numbers with the always dependable & highly underrated Clempson, who recorded with Bruce many times as well as high profile stints in both Colosseum & Humble Pie. Heckstall-Smith adds adds some eloquent beauty to the more jazzy numbers, and both Phillips & Baker turn in powerhouse performances, which is no surprise given just how talented both drummers are. Nice surprise here is the song "Life on Earth" from the BLT album Bruce did with Robin Trower back in the early '80s, as well as the emotional "Theme From an Imaginary Western", which also was a big hit for Mountain. Solid renditions of "White Room", "Spoonful", "Politician", "NSU", and "Born Under a Bad Sign" can also be found, and in most cases you get separate versions with Moore & Clempson. The camera work is very well done, the video quality solid, and the audio superb. It's a shame that both Bruce & Moore are no longer with us, but this is a great video document for any fan of both musicians and everyone else involved.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
Disc 1
Improvisation On Minuet No.1
Fm
Can You Follow
Running Thro' Our Hands
Childsong
The Tube
Over The Cliff
Statues
First Time I Met The Blues
Smiles And Grins
Bird Alone
Neighbor, Neighbor
Born Under A Bad Sign
Boston Ball Game 1967
Ships In The Night
Willpower
Never Tell Your Mother She's Out Of Tune
Theme From An Imaginary Western
Golden Days
Disc 2
As You Said
Rope Ladder To The Moon
Life On Earth
Drum Solo
Nsu
Sitting On The Top Of The World
Politician
White Room
Sunshine Of Your Love
Blues You Can't Lose
Life On Earth
Nsu
Sitting On The Top Of The World
Politician
Spoonful
White Room
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