Wheels Of Fire

Artist: Cream
Label: Dcc Compact Classics
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Live
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 2

UPC: 010963102024
EAN: 0010963102024
ASIN: B00000016K

Release Date: 1992-03-23

Wheels Of Fire

Related Categories:

Blues Rock

| Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Blues Rock

| Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock

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Psychedelic Rock

| Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)

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General

| Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

White Room
Sitting On Top Of The World
Passing The Time
As You Said
Pressed Rat And Warthog
Politician
Those Were The Days
Born Under A Bad Sign
Deserted Cities Of The Heart
Anyone For Tennis (the Savage Seven)

Tracks:

Crossroads
Spoonful
Traintime
Toad

Similar Items:

Disraeli Gears
Fresh Cream
Goodbye
Live Cream
Live Cream, Vol. 2

Customer Reviews:

THIS DIGITALLY REMASTERED 24 KT GOLD DISC SET BRINGS WHEELS OF FIRE TO LIFE. .......2007-03-24

I will be writing a review on the legendary Two-CD set album entitled "WHEELS OF FIRE" by one of Rock's most greatest legendary bands ever. I give you one of England's pride and joy's, C-R-E-A-M. "WHEELS OF FIRE" was originally released in 1968 on Vinyl/LP and 8-Track on the Atco Records label. This legendary Special Edition Two-CD set album was Digitally Remastered and re-released in 1992 on Two 24 Kt Gold Compact Disc's on the DCC Compact Classics Inc. which is licensed by Polydor Records and RSO Records. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the best informative and most accurate review possible.

My friend Metamorpho from Budd, New jersey wrote an incredible review on "WHEELS OF FIRE" and I just figured that I should add this important detail which should not only make a difference, but add more to the CREAM legend and legacy. If you own the "WHEELS OF FIRE" album on Vinyl/LP, 8-Track, Cassette or even Compact Disc, you have not heard this album at its best fullest potential. I have heard this legendary album so many times on Vinyl/LP, Cassette and Compact Disc that a friend of mine that works at the main Watt Ave. Tower Records store in Sacramento, California told me that I should listen to these new Digitally Remastered 24 Kt Gold Compact Discs. My friend continued on by saying that there is a HUGE ENORMOUS difference between the regular Compact Discs and the 24 Kt Gold Compact Discs. While I was checking and going through the selection of 24 Kt Gold Compact Discs, I saw the "WHEELS OF FIRE" special 24 Kt Gold edition album. These 24 Kt Gold Discs were extremely expensive in 1992 since they were the ultimate top of the line in Digitally Remastered sound. I went home and played the regular Compact Disc of this album and afterwards, played the 24 Kt Gold Discs set. There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE in sound quality. You can actually hear and feel the highs of the treble hiss and the lows for deep pumping bass. What's even better is that you can turn the volume knob more to the right and raise the volume sound levels at higher decibals unimaginable with no distortion. In my opinion, this is the REAL "WHEELS OF FIRE" album as it was intentionally meant to be heard and sound like. As for the band CREAM, this new 24 Kt Gold Disc set really brought out the true sounds of this extraordinary band in a more distinctive detail with a more advanced crisp clear sound giving you the feeling that you're actually there in the studio hearing CREAM record. It is also my opinion that this new 1992 re-release on 24 Kt Gold adds more to the CREAM legend and legacy. "WHEELS OF FIRE" is without a doubt, one of the all-time greatest albums ever recorded. "WHEELS OF FIRE" is also a true testament of three extremely talented masterminded individuals and a fine fitting tribute to a great band that was indeed, far ahead of their time.

Since my friend Metamorpho already reviewed these song tracks, I am only going to review Certain song tracks that are of relevence to this review and two song tracks that were not included on the original album release in 1968.

Now it is time to let the music speak for itself and do all of the talking. On DISC ONE, all of the song tracks were recorded in the studio. This legendary album begins with the vicious forever CREAM trademark song "White Room," the slow merciless Blues Rocker "Sitting On Top Of The World," the unforgetable slow turned fast paced Rocker "Passing The Time (Long Version) NOTE: This long version of "Passing The Time" clocks in at five minutes and forty five seconds long as compared to the original version clocking in at four minutes and thirty one seconds long. I know I am going to start a lot of arguments here but according to numerous biographies, the fast middle part of the long version of "Passing The Time" from 1968 may very well be the very first early known Heavy Metal recording ever made. You also have other critics that will argue that the 1968 song "Helter Skelter" by THE BEATLES is Heavy Metal's first genuine recording ever made. I guess that is for you to decide. Comment this review with your opinions concerning this matter if you wish, I would like to hear what all of you have to say.

On DISC TWO, the album begins with the live segment or portion of the band performing at the height of their career. DISC TWO begins with the blistering Robert Johnson Blues classic "Crossroads," the powerful breathtaking and merciless Willie Dixon slow Blues killer "Spoonful" and the song that identifies why Ginger Baker is one of the all-time greatest drummers ever, the smashing and thrashing "Toad." May I also add that during these live performances that all three CREAM bandmates were burning sizzlin' red hot on fire that night. You can truly feel the power and vibes from the band as they were performing harmoniously and perfectly well together as one unit.

Overall, this is one hell of an album worth seeking and researching further into. You really have to check this album out, it will definitely surprise and amaze you. If you are a harecore and devout CREAM fan or collector, THIS ALBUM IS FOR YOU. I would even recommend newcomers or beginners to the sound and music of CREAM for the first time to check and hear this re-release 24 Kt Gold Compact Disc set. NO ONE WILL BE SORRY FOR BUYING THIS RE-RELEASED ALBUM.

I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary special edition 24 Kt Gold Two-CD set to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. This legendary re-released album has already proven to stand the test of time as a collector's item and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER. This legendary special edition 24 Kt Gold collector's item is now long out of print but is available through e-bay and amazon. My suggestion to you is if you can find it, BUY IT. This is one genuine collector's item that all diehard CREAM fans and devout collector's would not want to be without.

In closing, CREAM will forever go down in Rock n' Roll history and be remembered for delivering great albums filled with great songs for the whole world to hear and enjoy. CREAM is without a doubt, THE GREATEST THREE-MAN BAND EVER ASSEMBLED. The CREAM LEGEND AND LEGACY LIVES. With their successful historic reunion sellout tour in 2005, there is still a large demand for more CREAM. HOW ABOUT IT GUYS? ONE MORE TIME? So here's to you Eric, Jack and Ginger. Thanks for the great memories. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. CREAM RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.

Their best, hands down.......2006-11-11

Wheels of Fire (1968) Cream's third studio album.

One of the biggest debates among Cream fans and music fans alike is whether or not "Wheels of Fire" is better than "Disraeli Gears". Honestly, both albums are ultimately powerful, so it comes down to your personal taste. Cream is my favorite band, and "Wheels of Fire" is not only my favorite Cream album, it's my favorite album of all time. The reason is very simple; experimentation.

Cream had developed their sound after their debut, fusing blues-rock with the new wave of psychedelia. Once that had been established, Cream took it one step further on "Wheels of Fire".

There's the opener, "White Room", one of Cream's most heralded songs. Here we see the psychedelic side of the band, with an unusual 5/4 time signature and a killer guitar solo. We also see the psychedelic stuff on tracks like "Pressed Rat and Warthog" and "Those Were the Days". What this album is probably better known for, though, is its reworking of old blues songs, as well as adding new ones. The covers of both "Crossroads" and "Born Under A Bad Sign" are amazing, and the original bass riff that Bruce constructed on "Politician" is one of my favorites. It was with this album that Cream further pressed the hard-rock cusp.

The experimentation, which I mentioned earlier, is what really draws me to this album. The strange, psychedelic/prog/alternative sound of "Passing the Time" (one of Baker's best contributions to Cream) is insane, and the acoustic guitar that Clapton strums on in "As You Said" is incredible. We truly get a taste of what Cream would have been capable of, being that they were excellent songwriters in their own respect as well as fantastic musicians.

The second disc, "Live at the Fillmore", is where some fans have complaints. I actually don't have any problems with the extended improv acts that they put on, because their reworking of "Spoonful" and Baker's extensive solo on "Toad" are both great. And, as I have said, it features one of the greatist guitar performances not only by Clapton, but by any guitarist period. I speak of the immortal "Crossroads".

SUGGESTION: Of the three good Cream albums (I'm excluding "Goodbye"), you should listen to this one last. Start with "Disraeli Gears" and then "Fresh Cream". Because the sound on this album is so different and innovative, it may not be kind to the ear during the first listen. But believe me, it's a masterpiece, and it will grow on you.

Those Were The Days (Yes They Were).......2006-11-10

I remember when this one came out. A two record set. Wow! Unheard of at the time. The funny thing is it would almost fit on one CD today.

I'm not a fan of the live stuff here. Drum solos aren't my thing, and 20 minutes of "Spoonful" is about 14 minutes too long. The studio cuts are top notch and remain ahead of their time. "Passing The Time" sounds like it could have been recorded in the 1700's. "White Room" remains an all time classic, but what does it really mean?

All in all, an ambitious album filled with great songs.

I bought this only for one song: Pressed Rat and Warthog........2006-08-03

I bought this one only for one song, Pressed Rat and Warthog. I already had Cream's first album Fresh Cream, and a best of album, The Very Best of Cream. Pressed Rat and Warthog is unusual in that the "singing" is a vocal recitative, done in the usual deadpan British vocal style. The British deadpan vocal style can be found, e.g., on any album by the Gang of Four, almost anything by Squeeze, for example, Up The Junction, and in Keith Relf's work with the Yardbirds.

What is more unusual in Pressed Rat and Warthog are the British Isles folk tunes provided by the trumpet and other instruments. I am certain that these melodies also appear in some of Ralph Vaughan Williams' shorter symphonic pieces which, in turn, were copied from folk musicians. There are so many fine British and Irish folk melodies available. It is too bad that these tunes have been popularized only by the Byrds, and by less than a handful of other rock'n'roll bands.

I saw Cream twice, once at the Fillmore in San Francisco where they played with Gary Burton Quartet and the Flaming Groovies. Also, I saw Cream at the Oakland Coliseum, where It's A Beautiful Day was the opening act.

Tune in to the Elephant Race section of Spoonful - pretty good!.......2006-07-29

Sorry, but this is my favorite 'album'of all time. I wore out two vinyl copies of it and still slap on the CD when in doubt about what to listen to. This album is the sixties to me: indeed, when Saturday Night Live lampooned hippie holdovers in a skit, it had them listening to Spoonful from Wheels of Fire.

The Live Disk contains the best stuff you can get- Crossroads in the definitive Clapton treatment, played on a firey Strat above rumbling, volcanic bass lines and precision trip-hammer jazz-rock drumming. The epic treatment of Spoonful still conjures images of Hades, rolling thunder, burning rivers, thundering beasts (the 'elephant race' middle instrumental passage). Also, it features amazing mournful vocals by Jack Bruce, sounding like he is negotiating in blues format for his mortal soul. This rendition is just so doggone inspired. If you listen to it after listening to Cream's studio original from "Fresh Cream" or the Howlin' Wolf original, your mind reels from the comparison. They were really feeling this version. They're playing like the Hell Hounds are really on their trail.

For a time, in the early seventies, I grew tired of the extremely long 'Toad' workout by Ginger Baker, but in recent years, it seems one of the many stellar high points of the proceedings. It's great and it never bores me now. Sure, its drumming for the sake of drumming, but so what? Its effing awesome spectacular unparalleled.

The Studio Tracks
White Room, a big hit for Cream in 1968 is orchestral cum wah-wah mysterious with a spacious sound with vocals by turns ethereal and menacing. It rocks on, I want to say. It was backed on the 45 by Pressed Rat and Warthog (I think), one of Ginger Baker's goof-poetry ditties that always was a favorite of mine. The balance of the songs are amazing. "As You Said", a string piece featuring Jack Bruce on cello and vocal is singular - nothing like it I'm aware of. It has always perplexed, amazed and pleased me when I hear it. The arrangement is super-fine. Deserted Cities of the Heart is a great, underrated track that boils along feverishly. Those Were the Days is an outstanding pop song whose lyrics typify my feelings about That Time (1968)- pure nostalgia written nostalgically at the time. Politician and Sitting On Top of the World are major Cream cuts which most people know. They are essential, bluesy rock classics.

I feel totally at home when I hear this stuff - I always listen to this many times when on a road trip: can't imagine travel without it.

You know, I haven't even mentioned Train Time - blow that harmonica, son!

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