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Cream — Strange Brew
Album: Disraeli Gears
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2357









Released: 1967
Length: 2:45
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Strange brew
Killin' what's inside of you

She's a witch of trouble in electric blue
In her own mad mind she's in love with you, with you
What you gonna do?

Strange brew
Killin' what's inside of you

She's some kind of demon messing in the glue
If you don't watch out it'll stick to you, to you
What kind of fool are you?

Strange brew
Killin' what's inside of you

On a boat in the middle of a raging sea
She would make a scene for it all to be ignored
And wouldn't you be bored?

Strange brew
Killin' what's inside of you

Strange brew, strange brew
Strange brew, strange brew

Strange brew
Killin' what's inside of you
Comments (149)add comment
All the beer photos are making me thirsty.
 BCarn wrote:

Bruce who?

Jack Bruce, ya gomer.
 thewiseking wrote:
 WeAdmire wrote:
This made my bone marrow resonate when I heard it for the first time: spontaneous, ground breaking, that drumming, the guitars.  In '67 it was music from Mars and it still sounds fresh.   QJ was right, it was THE band but wrong in that it wasn't EC's band.  I saw them in 2005 on the Thursday at the Albert Hall.  Astonishing.  Bruce when asked if they had rehearsed - given the performance it would be hard to believe they hadn't - confirmed they had, and for some time.  By way of explanation he went on "We didn't want to be a tribute band to ourselves." A near perfect description of my insecurity as I handed over overs to a tout to get my tickets.  An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up: Clapton gets the adulation, Bruce probably deserves the adulation, or at least more of it than Clapton, he is fabulous bassist and lead singer and wrote most of the songs.   But the guy they both defer to is the man at the back.  On the night I could see the dynamic was never likely to endure. More Cream please as someone remarked a week or three ago.

 
You left out the man most responsible for this sound: Felix Pappalardi
 

Felix Pappalardi then went on to influence and participate in Mountain.
 Toff wrote:

If Clapton was God, then Bruce was Godder


Bruce who?
It was rumoured that Jack Bruce spent his share of the proceeds from the last concert on importing a string of polo ponies from Argentina. 

Respect!
 medoras wrote:

It's a little off topic but on looking at the Disraeli Gears album cover, is anyone else reminded of The Incredible String Band's "50000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion" — which was also released in 1967.

Now there's a band that has — to my knowledge — never been played on Radio Paradise.

I remember that cover, and your post made me curious to see who designed it.  It's credited to a collective of artists and designers known as "The Fool", which was apparently founded by an artist named Simon Posthuma.
It turns out your comparison is not entirely off-topic.  That art collective did customized paint and decoration work on the musical instruments played by Cream - including Clapton's psychedelic Gibson SG and one of Jack Bruce's Fender basses.
Apparently they also customized instruments for Lennon and Harrison as well as designing clothing and doing graphic design for The Beatles, The Hollies, and Procol Harum.
 shua wrote:

Great song from Godlike album. I might get flack for saying so but I think this was Eric's best period, away from the mic and rockin out.




I would have agreed with you 17 years ago as I do today. Cream aside, I never got what all the excitement was about. Not that I didn't like him but, God!?... I don't think so. This is a 10 for me. Maybe you had to be there idk.
 kurtster wrote:

The original UK laminated cover is in Day Glo.  Put a black light to it and wow !


Martin Sharp, who delivered the cover art (and the lyric to Tales of Brave Ulysses)  surely would have scored a 10 for his sense and use of colour.  Black light on this one notwithstanding he could give it wit and subtlety just as well.  His illustrations of Hendrix absolutely nail it for example and similarly those of Dylan. 
It's a little off topic but on looking at the Disraeli Gears album cover, is anyone else reminded of The Incredible String Band's "50000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion" — which was also released in 1967.

Now there's a band that has — to my knowledge — never been played on Radio Paradise.
Was discussing expensive beer earlier and I mentioned Delirium Tremens and dog gone if a coaster collage didn't appear in the  slideshow for the song.

Coincidence? maaaybee....
 WeAdmire wrote:
This made my bone marrow resonate when I heard it for the first time: spontaneous, ground breaking, that drumming, the guitars.  In '67 it was music from Mars and it still sounds fresh.   QJ was right, it was THE band but wrong in that it wasn't EC's band.  I saw them in 2005 on the Thursday at the Albert Hall.  Astonishing.  Bruce when asked if they had rehearsed - given the performance it would be hard to believe they hadn't - confirmed they had, and for some time.  By way of explanation he went on "We didn't want to be a tribute band to ourselves." A near perfect description of my insecurity as I handed over overs to a tout to get my tickets.  An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up: Clapton gets the adulation, Bruce probably deserves the adulation, or at least more of it than Clapton, he is fabulous bassist and lead singer and wrote most of the songs.   But the guy they both defer to is the man at the back.  On the night I could see the dynamic was never likely to endure. More Cream please as someone remarked a week or three ago.
 

"An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up..."

Clapton for his part said that he didn't want to put up with the regular sparring that Baker and Bruce engaged in. I've seen video clips on YouTube where Jack and Ginger got along quite well during interviews but they apparently really rubbed each other the wrong way.
Strange Glue, killin' what's inside of you.
 neotrogg wrote:
Bruuuuuuuce!
 
Yes! The creative engine of the band...
Bruuuuuuuce!
 WeAdmire wrote:
This made my bone marrow resonate when I heard it for the first time: spontaneous, ground breaking, that drumming, the guitars.  In '67 it was music from Mars and it still sounds fresh.   QJ was right, it was THE band but wrong in that it wasn't EC's band.  I saw them in 2005 on the Thursday at the Albert Hall.  Astonishing.  Bruce when asked if they had rehearsed - given the performance it would be hard to believe they hadn't - confirmed they had, and for some time.  By way of explanation he went on "We didn't want to be a tribute band to ourselves." A near perfect description of my insecurity as I handed over overs to a tout to get my tickets.  An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up: Clapton gets the adulation, Bruce probably deserves the adulation, or at least more of it than Clapton, he is fabulous bassist and lead singer and wrote most of the songs.   But the guy they both defer to is the man at the back.  On the night I could see the dynamic was never likely to endure. More Cream please as someone remarked a week or three ago.
 

I saw them the next night.  Jack's wife had got us good seats.  We went early and met a great variety of fans, mostly our age - I was 60.  I will never forget meeting an American guy and his son.  He explained that he just HAD to bring him over to show him what it was all about when we were young.It certainly was a concert that I will never forget in so many ways.
Gorgeous!
Einer meiner Alltime-Klassiker.  Die Platte habe ich seit 1967!!!
ICONIC! ...I bought the album in 1968. I never understood the lyrics. ....Thanx for the lyrics!
 e_b wrote:
hmmm...I always thought they said "girl what's inside of you"
 
Are we talking "kill what's inside of you" in the lyric?  If so I have always heard it as "ken what's inside of you".  Ken being enduring Scottish vernacular for understand. For example  as in "dae ye ken me".  Bruce was e'rso Scottish, I think it's "ken" nae "kill..."
hmmm...I always thought they said "girl what's inside of you"
Thought I was an avowed atheist. This, however, is truly Godlike. Rating of 10. 
Ahhh.
push down gif. off screen!
push down bad gif
push down gif
asdfasdf
adf
asdf
 memoryboxer wrote:
 uksminas wrote:
 in response to Kilroy - I'll put it back; no idea what it's from but it works for me. 

 

 uksminas wrote:
 in response to Kilroy - I'll put it back; no idea what it's from but it works for me. 

Much better!
One more post to completely push uksminas's gif off. Ugh.
I'm just posting this to push uksminas's gif off my screen when this song plays.
 rascal420 wrote:
Strange Brew Pass me a 3.2 (Only in Utah)
 

And for a time in WV
 Lee wrote:
The album title came from a misstatement by one of the band (Baker, I think). When referring to a ten-speed bicycle, he said something like, "You know, one of those bikes with the Disraeli gears." (substituting the name of the Victorian Prime Minister for the word "derailleur"--the gizmo that pushes the chain onto another sprocket)
 I heard it was the driver of the cab they were in on the way from the studio having  just recorded  the album who Disraeli'd the gears. Unlikely to have been Baker he had been quite an accomplished cyclist in his teens. 
 stretcher wrote:
 
 
I heard a record mogul, wanting to justify a huge advance for Bruce - post Harmony Row and Songs For A Tailor and of course after Cream had broken up - I think to form Bruce Laing and Walsh,  remarked to his fellow execs - probably in an effort to spread the responsibility when things went wrong, there being a clear and present danger.   The main man had probably made up his mind to write the cheque. Remarked that he had heard the fans in London referred to Clapton as God.  Said execs mumbled their confirmation.  The main man went on:  What I want to know is if Clapton is God who the f*ck is Jack Bruce...?
 stretcher wrote:
My only hesitation is the RP descriptor "godlike" (for rating 10) associated with Clapton in any way.  Re. "Clapton is God" from the 70's ...
 
Don't get caught up in unimportant details.  Rating scale is from 1 to 10; insert your own text labels if you so desire. 

... and we all know that Jimmy Page is God.  Or maybe Hendrix; or maybe Stevie Ray; or maybe Derek Trucks; or maybe Robbie Krieger, or maybe ... 
This song is certainly a 10.  Iconic, and the musicianship is so, so good.

My only hesitation is the RP descriptor "godlike" (for rating 10) associated with Clapton in any way.  Re. "Clapton is God" from the 70's... no, he isn't.  He's an excellent guitarist and decent singer, but so are many, many others.
 WeAdmire wrote:
This made my bone marrow resonate when I heard it for the first time: spontaneous, ground breaking, that drumming, the guitars.  In '67 it was music from Mars and it still sounds fresh.   QJ was right, it was THE band but wrong in that it wasn't EC's band.  I saw them in 2005 on the Thursday at the Albert Hall.  Astonishing.  Bruce when asked if they had rehearsed - given the performance it would be hard to believe they hadn't - confirmed they had, and for some time.  By way of explanation he went on "We didn't want to be a tribute band to ourselves." A near perfect description of my insecurity as I handed over overs to a tout to get my tickets.  An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up: Clapton gets the adulation, Bruce probably deserves the adulation, or at least more of it than Clapton, he is fabulous bassist and lead singer and wrote most of the songs.   But the guy they both defer to is the man at the back.  On the night I could see the dynamic was never likely to endure. More Cream please as someone remarked a week or three ago.
 
Flew from San Francisco to NYC in 2005 to see this show at Madison Square Garden. Kept hoping they'd tour so I could see them in California, but it never happened. So glad I went to NYC. 
Love Cream.

Friends and I gave it lots of airtime back in the day and I, for one, never tired of it.
Cream added an essential bluesy trippiness to the era. It wouldn't have been the same without them.
Flashbacks of 'Trip Through Hell" - C.A. Quintet
 WeAdmire wrote:
This made my bone marrow resonate when I heard it for the first time: spontaneous, ground breaking, that drumming, the guitars.  In '67 it was music from Mars and it still sounds fresh.   QJ was right, it was THE band but wrong in that it wasn't EC's band.  I saw them in 2005 on the Thursday at the Albert Hall.  Astonishing.  Bruce when asked if they had rehearsed - given the performance it would be hard to believe they hadn't - confirmed they had, and for some time.  By way of explanation he went on "We didn't want to be a tribute band to ourselves." A near perfect description of my insecurity as I handed over overs to a tout to get my tickets.  An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up: Clapton gets the adulation, Bruce probably deserves the adulation, or at least more of it than Clapton, he is fabulous bassist and lead singer and wrote most of the songs.   But the guy they both defer to is the man at the back.  On the night I could see the dynamic was never likely to endure. More Cream please as someone remarked a week or three ago.

 
You left out the man most responsible for this sound: Felix Pappalardi
Clapton war später nie mehr so gut wie damals bei Cream
 jimbaca wrote:
The song merits a rating of "7" or "8", but the album cover merits a "10."


 
The original UK laminated cover is in Day Glo.  Put a black light to it and wow !
 Toff wrote:
If Clapton was God, then Bruce was Godder
 
Someone in the business famously rhetorically asked if Clapton is God who the 'king hell is Jack Bruce?
 rascal420 wrote:
Strange Brew Pass me a 3.2 (Only in Utah)
 
So sad.
 jimbaca wrote:
The song merits a rating of "7" or "8", but the album cover merits a "10."


 
It's by Martin Sharp, he was Australian, very talented and wrote the lyrics to Tales of Brave Ulysses, one of Cream's absolute finest..  
If Clapton was God, then Bruce was Godder
This made my bone marrow resonate when I heard it for the first time: spontaneous, ground breaking, that drumming, the guitars.  In '67 it was music from Mars and it still sounds fresh.   QJ was right, it was THE band but wrong in that it wasn't EC's band.  I saw them in 2005 on the Thursday at the Albert Hall.  Astonishing.  Bruce when asked if they had rehearsed - given the performance it would be hard to believe they hadn't - confirmed they had, and for some time.  By way of explanation he went on "We didn't want to be a tribute band to ourselves." A near perfect description of my insecurity as I handed over overs to a tout to get my tickets.  An insight on the night was to start to understand why they broke up: Clapton gets the adulation, Bruce probably deserves the adulation, or at least more of it than Clapton, he is fabulous bassist and lead singer and wrote most of the songs.   But the guy they both defer to is the man at the back.  On the night I could see the dynamic was never likely to endure. More Cream please as someone remarked a week or three ago.
 lizardking wrote:
OMG!!  My wife just read the interview transcripts to me....we laughed so hard....QJ is/was the man, and while some of what he said seems hyperbolic, I honestly believe everything he has to say.   Another of the Seattle area greats.
 
He certainly didn't have anything nice to say about Paul & Ringo, or MJ for that matter!
Then there's the Marlon Brando stuff; eek!
 expatlar wrote:
This makes me chuckle in light of the recent Quincey Jones interview in which he said the one 'rock group' he liked was 'That group Clapton had'. "Cream?" "Yeah, they could play."
Boy I'd like to buy that guy a beer and listen to him talk.

 
OMG!!  My wife just read the interview transcripts to me....we laughed so hard....QJ is/was the man, and while some of what he said seems hyperbolic, I honestly believe everything he has to say.   Another of the Seattle area greats. 
This makes me chuckle in light of the recent Quincey Jones interview in which he said the one 'rock group' he liked was 'That group Clapton had'. "Cream?" "Yeah, they could play."
Boy I'd like to buy that guy a beer and listen to him talk.
 iloveradio wrote:
Enjoying RP from Crow Agency, MT. Cream is classic Hopefully the end of Net neutrality won't adversely effect RP. 

 
Good question, iloveradio...and I wonder if BillG has any input/thoughts/opinions/fears associated with NN....

I remember way back in like 06/07 when the hot topic was the royalty increase, and BillG did explain the impacts to RP then.  Just hope those F#$%ers in DC don't screw with a good thing more than they have.  Long Live RP!!


Enjoying RP from Crow Agency, MT. Cream is classic Hopefully the end of Net neutrality won't adversely effect RP. 

10!

One of the reason RP kicks ass is that BillG plays the popular classic rock tunes without apologies (and I'm sure to the chagrin of many) - and intermixed with new music and other old music that didn't get the airplay like this Cream classic did/does.  And as I look back on youth (80s and early 90s) I have to say Cream was the band that really got me hooked on both great musicians (Eric, Ginger and Jack ROCKED) and the psychedelic culture in general.  Call them my "Gateway Band" ... and then the floodgates opened as I heard the great albums from Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, etc., etc., etc.  So, to that power trio from England, I say THANK YOU!  And to BillG I say LONG LIVE RP!!


 Hinkamp wrote:
What's the point of having a power trio supergroup if you are going to dip into flower pop and falcettos?
 
Moron. Would you put down the Police *Roxanne* for the same reason? Don't answer that. *Bugs Bunny cracks "what a MAROON" in the background *
{#Sunny}
 WonderLizard wrote:
Well, there's one place where every woman has, um, a "beard." Get it now?

That was true in the 1960s and '70s - not so much these days - but "she was like a bearded rainbow"?
 chinaski wrote:
Albert King's style sure comes to the forefront here.

 

I had never made that connection before, but you're absolutely right.


The fucking best.
Albert King's style sure comes to the forefront here.
 coloradojohn wrote:
Wild; the prominent sound of the times, from Jimi to JeffAir and all the psychedelics — distorted guitar, cranking bass. Really dig it still!

 
nice to learn about that kind of details of the used technics in that time era - helpful for a non-musician - thx.
 WonderLizard wrote:
Well, there's one place where every woman has, um, a "beard." Get it now?

New Jersey? Southern Florida? Northern California? Maybe Minnesota? 

 


Wild; the prominent sound of the times, from Jimi to JeffAir and all the psychedelics — distorted guitar, cranking bass. Really dig it still!
Excellent, haven't heard that one in a very long time
 toterola wrote:
SWLABR means "She was like a bearded rainbow". I won't pretend to know what that means, but I have seen stranger things when I was "partaking of the sacrament". 

Well, there's one place where every woman has, um, a "beard." Get it now?
Came to this tune via a best of lp. Regardless. Did math homework to this tune. Cream a fave. Became a lifer. Numerically illiterate to this day all the same. Distractions. Sacrifices we make to feel happy.
One of my MOST FAVOURITE songs - and records.
{#Bananapiano}

Whenever I feel down, listening to the album cheers me up.
LIstening to this after Stevie Wonder gives me whole new perspective on the bass line.....
I caught Buddy Guy in concert a few years back and he loves to do this as part of his "history of rock and blues" set.  It smokes!
When I first started brewing beer, this was the title my roommate and I came up with for our label. {#Cheers}
The song merits a rating of "7" or "8", but the album cover merits a "10."

Outstanding.
 Hinkamp wrote:
What's the point of having a power trio supergroup if you are going to dip into flower pop and falcettos?
 
Variety... pinhead

Oh, yes, bought this at the local pharmacy with money earned by mowing lawns. Them was the days!
 tomville wrote:
"This movie was shot in 3B - three beers - and it looks good, eh?"
 


The best LP cover of the era.
HAPPY Birthday Bill!
 bachbeet wrote:
Great song from a great album.  One of the very first albums I bought.  And, this song, as good as it was, was not my favorite from this album.  I always liked Tales of Brave Ulysses more.  Also wondered at what they meant by the song SWLABR.  To this day, I have no idea what that title means.  I soon bought Fresh Cream and Wheels of Fire came out.  Then the short-lived but terrific Blind Faith.
 

SWLABR means "She was like a bearded rainbow". I won't pretend to know what that means, but I have seen stranger things when I was "partaking of the sacrament".

My favorite Cream song is Eric's live version of "Crossroads". It consistantly tops polls as the best live guitar solo ever. That's saying a Hell of a lot, considering all the other "guitar gods" who have come and gone in the intervening 40+ years.

Clapton is God! {#Cool}


See this ==> https://www.thelanguageofmusic.com/
Great song from a great album.  One of the very first albums I bought.  And, this song, as good as it was, was not my favorite from this album.  I always liked Tales of Brave Ulysses more.  Also wondered at what they meant by the song SWLABR.  To this day, I have no idea what that title means.  I soon bought Fresh Cream and Wheels of Fire came out.  Then the short-lived but terrific Blind Faith.
A 9 for me only because I prefer the "Lawdy Mama" version.
Cream - Strange Brew - 10
Stephen Stills - Black Queen - 10
Cassandra Wilson - Death Letter - 10

brewmonkey wrote:
Great timing; I am brewing all night tonight. Perfect!!!!
That batch should be ready by now! When can I come over? I have a bourbon stout to share too.
Hinkamp wrote:
What's the point of having a power trio supergroup if you are going to dip into flower pop and falcettos?
Uh ... you realize that Cream's from the 60's, right? Like ... the original power trio? ??
a_genuine_find wrote:
dude, put some pants on!
What's the point of having a power trio supergroup if you are going to dip into flower pop and falcettos?
6:42 pm - Cream - Strange Brew 6:39 pm - The The - December Sunlight :-)
Groovy!
Style points if RP plays the alternate take, "Lawdy Mama."
Great timing; I am brewing all night tonight. Perfect!!!!
"This movie was shot in 3B - three beers - and it looks good, eh?"
Walrus_Gumbo wrote:
Wow! The places this album used to take me. A Proto-pipe bowl of blond Lebanese hash and headphones! Into the mystic, indeed!
Used to?
Not sure why I had this at 9. Must have been in a foul mood. Wait, I'm in a foul mood now, so that's not the answer. 10
My fave Cream song. Kickass.
sharkartist wrote:
Anyone ever heard Lawdy Mama?
They'd had this kicking around; it's derived from Clapton's encyclopaedic knowledge of blues. But then Jack hooked up with lyricist Pete Brown and out of that came niftier lyrics. Interesting to hear Eric on vocals, given how shy he was about singing back then.
ChardRemains wrote:
Awesome. I asked for this album for my 12th birthday and my parents said it was "too druggy." Kind of crazy/lame, considering they'd given me Sgt. Pepper's for my 9th.
What? Because of Martin Sharp's incredible artwork?
ThePoose wrote:
He's got a new liver; what he really needed was a new heart.
And I'm surprised his lungs haven't given out the way he chain smokes--even while drumming!
nigelr wrote:
Saw a Cream reunion, somewhere in London I think, on TV on New Years Eve 2007. Ginger was outstanding, completely mind blowing. Bruce and Clapton were the icing on a very enjoyable cake. Well worth the effort to chase down, really a dynamic performance for three older gentlemen, as they say "form is temporary, class is permanent"!
You can rent it from your favorite DVD mail subscription service. Definitely worth it!
Awesome. I asked for this album for my 12th birthday and my parents said it was "too druggy." Kind of crazy/lame, considering they'd given me Sgt. Pepper's for my 9th.
Saw a Cream reunion, somewhere in London I think, on TV on New Years Eve 2007. Ginger was outstanding, completely mind blowing. Bruce and Clapton were the icing on a very enjoyable cake. Well worth the effort to chase down, really a dynamic performance for three older gentlemen, as they say "form is temporary, class is permanent"!
jberko wrote:
Jack Bruce was recently quoted as saying that he would not be opposed to a Cream "reunion" tour. I doubt, however, that it'll ever happen as Ginger Baker is such an incredible prick.
He's got a new liver; what he really needed was a new heart.
Anyone ever heard Lawdy Mama? It's essentially Strange Brew with different lyrics and a different solo. I'm thinking they musta done both takes on the same day and decided on the Strange Brew version for the Disraeli Gears release.
madaxeman wrote:
It's easy to forget just how good Cream were.This is a timely reminder.
Ditto.
It's easy to forget just how good Cream were.This is a timely reminder.
TBD wrote:
I agree ... Clapton was much better before he had to re-learn to play after the accident.
What accident?
Wow! The places this album used to take me. A Proto-pipe bowl of blond Lebanese hash and headphones! Into the mystic, indeed!
Now I'm waking up - it isn't godlike, but it is a 9
One of the great tunes to practice your guitar along with!
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
The new vinyl box set recorded live in 2005 just kicks seriously major ass. Sonics are outstanding (mastered by Stan Ricker), lovely packaging.
Just finished watching the DVD of that concert and - hmm wonder what's on RP? What a strange brew...
Always loved this....always will...(in her own mad mind, she's in love with you....what ya gonna do?)
MisterVErb wrote:
i love the guitar EC played during this period - psychedeliq SG hand painted by "the fool".
I agree ... Clapton was much better before he had to re-learn to play after the accident.
MisterVErb wrote:
i love the guitar EC played during this period - psychedeliq SG hand painted by "the fool".
Clapton played that guitar when I saw them in 1968 at age 17. By today's standards they were not that loud. Clapton had two Marshall stacks and Bruce had two Marshall stacks. The road crew nailed Ginger Bakers drums to the stage (I am not kidding). Those guys were the real deal live which the studio albums don't capture.
BoundersBooksSeller wrote:
How does this make it as a representation of Cream when "Crossroads" has yet to be played?
Because Crossroads was Clapton singing. It was his big favorite at the time. Probably still is.He started singing Crossroads when he was with John Mayalls Bluebreakers.
The album title comes from a mistaken reference to derailleur gears on a bicycle. The band liked the misnomer and kept it!