Blind Faith 
Category: Entertainment > Music
Good
10
After groveling in the hovels of dark cafes and zoos after midnight, I finally emerged to the meditative mountain for a quick, few, inspirational visionary episodes. What meditative mountain you ask? I am a Seer- of course I have one. Anyway-through the haze- I was able to see many things concerning this album. And seeing isn't always good when you're asked to take them on Blind Faith alone. Regardless- it certainly is more pleasant reviewing this than having my locks changed in my castle (yes, again!). It's amazing what fans will do. Oh well.
I have to be honest here, you have to look at this album in context if you are to get anywhere. Yes, yes, I love it too. But honestly, is there anyone out there that really, sincerely believes that this is the best they could do? I certainly don't. I think this was meant as a side project only for Clapton and Winwood, in between groups or group obligations. Why isn't it the best? You only have to look closely at what came after - Winwood's "John Barleycorn Must Die", and Eric's "Layla". Now THOSE are highpoints my people. Blind Faith has many pleasurable moments here - and wonderful musicianship. But nothing really lifts you more than three inches off the ground.
Which is not to say that there aren't superb gems. The subtle, quiet yearning of Winwood with great acoustic guitars on "Can't Find My Way Home". Listen to the insistent snaking along of the beat and Winwood's soulful plea at the end. Wonderful. Too bad everything was not like this.
"Had to Cry Today" has an interesting riff to recommend it- and it flys off and returns to us time and time again. But the song itself labors along and the best part is the lead guitar interplay between Winwood and Clapton. I will say this- at least those two have some idea of where all this is going. But Ginger Baker and Rick Grech, although both extremely talented, are overshadowed.
Ironically, one of the few songs that show any real life here, "Well All Right" was not written by any of the group members but was a Buddy Holly tune. And Winwood share's his piano gifts with us here. Nice jam at the end Steve!
"Presence of the Lord" is a Clapton tune and a lumbering (or is it slumbering?) one at that. And one has to wonder if this was before, during, or after his heroin addiction? I would hate to think the Lord had anything to do with that! In fairness, the thing that saves this song is the middle break when the Lord allows Clapton the freedom of a lead. As a Seer I know that we must be grateful for small miracles in our lives.
But all is not lost because we are on "The Sea of Joy". I rather like this one. It has some life and could have been included on a Traffic album like "Low Spark". However, that being said, Mr. Winwood does himself (and us) no favors by writing this in a bad key for himself. I've always liked the sound of his vocals, but his voice is straining here to hit the notes. I am advising honey and no speaking for three days to get up to snuff. That Metamorpho-always willing to help.
We conclude with "Do What You Like", a long, floating, noodling of a song that gives everyone the spotlight leading up to the famed Ginger Baker drum solo. Well, after all, he wrote the song. I sort of like this jam though. They finally let Baker and Grech shine just when I was beginning to get worried....about the time the doorknob broke.
In conclusion, is this the best thing these musicians have ever done? The answer is no. Are there some fine and plausible musical substance that would make this a worthy find? Definitely. Anything Clapton and Winwood get involved with is definitely worth a look see. But a super-group? Well........almost.
Now it is time to get down from this mountain and get some insect spray. All I need are mosquito bites on my face. After all, I have a public to think of!
Slightly overcooked but far from done--as always-- Metamorpho
10
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I am often asked to write or talk about various 60's and 70's rock and roll recordings.
Although it was devastating that Cream had broken up, Two-thirds of the band Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker surfaced along with Steve Winwood and Ric Grech in Blind Faith. Although there would only be one album it has left its mark as a must own for any fan of blues-rock and Clapton or Winwood.
Please make sure you are viewing the 2CD version with the original LP and the nine bonus tracks (Including 1 CD of all Jams).
The deluxe issue has such intense bonus material that it had to be extended to a two CD set. "Can't Find My Way Back Home" and "Presence Of The Lord" have so much soul and emotion it could give a heart to the Tin Man.
There isn't a bad moment from the opening note to the final bonus track. Although you'll feel like a kid in a candy store and want to experience a bit of this and that, listen to the first six tracks on CD 1 straight through. This will enable you to experience the music the way it was in 1969 and in the best quality. After you are able to digest the brilliance of the album if you have any energy left go for the bonus tracks. Some may have had the pleasure of hearing "Sleeping In The Ground" previously. When you get to the Jams it will reaffirm why Clapton's output from the Yardbirds through Derek & The Dominos was nothing short of Herculean.
Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
31
The Cult of Clapton tends to state that EC is the ultimate rock don who makes everything he touches, from the sheer power of his greatness. How is it, then, that all the great things he did were with other great people? Want EC w/out a great supporting cast? Go buy "Lay Down Sally." Not to knock him, he is one of the great guitarists of all time. But come on, most people say Cream broke up because Clapton was sick of Jack Bruce acting like the front man, and then he ended up in two groups that he only lasted one album with (this and Derek and the Dominoes). Of course, they are two of the greatest rock albums of all time. To his credit, Clapton clearly brings out the best in others, though this album testifies to the fact that they often bring out the best in him as well. For instance, to me, "Do What You Like" is one of the greatest songs in the history of rock and roll. It's written by Ginger Baker? Amazing. (And to his credit, EC has repeatedly acknowledged the fact that Ginger Baker is the most amazing drummer of all time.) Clapton's solo in "Do What You Like" is one of my favorites of his: fantastic playing and a beautiful tone with a haunting dose of reverb that really works.
Steve Winwood is an great vocalist, and it is truly hard to figure out why if you use the "American Idol" metrics. But on this album, the fusion of his bluesy style and the material, which is haunting and hypnotic, is just plain magic. From the opening bars of "Had to Cry Today," this album reverberates in a way that few other albums do and Winwood's vocals are a big part of that.
It continues to astound me how many people out there have not heard this record. Searing, unique, incredibly powerful album.
11
I was one of the lucky ones to get the original issue of this CD without the two bonus tracks. The reason that this is Four Stars is because you can't get this now without the two bonus tracks. The two bonus tracks threw this off when it was reissued. Everything about this is great. What a lineup too Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Rick Grech and Ginger Baker. One of Winwood's best songs is included here "Can't Find My Way Home". Also the Eric Clapton penned "Presence Of The Lord" is very good. Not everyday do you get four talented musicians like this together. Unfortunately, there probably won't be a Blind Faith Part Two because of the passing of Rick Grech. That is why many people consider this a Landmark recording. A one time thing gone right. By the way, they just reissued this as a double CD with more extra tracks. Do yourself a favor, pass it up. It's not as good as the original. Damn those bonus tracks.
32
Blind Faith (1969.) Blind Faith's first and only album.
In 1969, the unthinkable happened - Cream, one of classic rock's true superpowers, had disbanded. At the same time this happened, Steve Winwood was becoming increasingly frustrated. He was a member of Traffic, another one of the great rock bands of the day. Continually, he was clashing with the band's other musical genius, Dave Mason. Winwood finally left Traffic, and joined forces with the former Cream personalities, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton. What formed was another classic rock supergroup - Blind Faith. Unfortunately, the group's days together were very short lived - they only survived to released a single album. How does the lone album measure up? Read on and find out!
When I had heard that Winwood, Clapton, and Baker had joined together to create a new group, I had a feeling that they would be a great one. Once I listened to the album, I quickly discovered that I was right. The first two tracks on the album, Had To Cry Today and Can't Find My Way Home, have become two of the most popular classic rock songs of all time - and with good reason. Next up is Well All Right, which is a cover of an old Buddy Holly tune. Because Holly had a pop music style all his own, I had doubts that the song could be covered - but once again, the band delighted me. Although they changed the style of the song somewhat, their cover of it is ultimately satisfying. And who could forget about Clapton's Presence Of The Lord? This song is famous for being one of the earliest songs that Clapton wrote on his own - and it is just an incredible composition. It's no surprise that this song has appeared on many a Clapton hits compilation. The most overlooked song on the album would have to be Sea Of Joy, and it's yet another incredible track. Finishing things off is the lengthy jam, Do What You Like. Much like on the Cream song Toad, Ginger Baker shells out one of his classic, lengthy drum solos. Baker is one of the greatest percussionists in rock and roll history, and he makes it known on this track. In the end, this is a VERY satisfying album.
To date (as of September 10, 2004), there are two main versions of this album available - the standard version and the deluxe version. The standard version of the album is the album as it was, with no bonus tracks or anything - but it deleted the infamous "original" cover, which featured a topless woman. The deluxe version restores the original cover artwork and adds a ton of bonus tracks - in addition to bonuses on the main album disc, there is a whole extra disc of lengthy jam sessions! This sounds like the obvious version to buy, but there's a catch - the price that is charged for the deluxe version is outrageous - MORE THAN DOUBLE the price charged for the regular version. Whatever version you decide to get is entirely up to you.
There's really not much more I can say. Blind Faith didn't last long, but their lone 1969 effort is one of classic rock and roll's forgotten masterpieces. Why do all these really good bands never last that long? I guess we'll never know. If you're a fan of Clapton or Winwood, or just a fan of classic rock in general, this album is a must buy.
