Blind Faith

Great music

Looking back at the summer of 1969, you'd have to say that there was indeed a bumper crop of classic rock albums. Let's see there was Workingman's Dead, which transitioned the Dead from psycadellic jug band to a new acoustic blues-folk-country genera that continued on into American Beauty. We got the amazing Soft Parade by The Doors in '69. Jethro Tull put out their debut album, the only recording with orginal Blodyn Pig guitarist Mick Abrams. Procol Harum signed on with A Salty Dog, a collection of dark broodong songs evoking "Tales Of The Ancient Mariner". There was the understated brilliance of Crosby Stills & Nash. Together or without Neil Young, this was the first edition of what would become one of Rock's most enduring super groups. That brings us to rock's most ill-fated super group....Bind Faith. For my money this was the premire event in an all too brief period of unsurpassed classic rock releases. They became for me, a perfect blend of almost all the aforementioned classics. Winwood carried along the haunting bluesy vocals he perfected with Traffic and Clapton showed the world that he didn't need to extend guitar solos beyond the three minute mark to express heart-felt passion deep down to your toes. So why did Blind Faith collapse in less than twelve months? Clapton lends a lot of credence to the idea that "Music From Big Pink" by The Band opened his mind to a whole new "roots" sound. He wanted to get back to tight ensamble playing. It seems he wanted to capture a more understated and less in your face approach. And of course you can't argue with the man who brought us "Layla" and so many other great songs. Steve Winwood reformed Traffic, without Dave Mason and Ginger Baker went on to join the Airfore, Ginger Baker's Airforce of course. It's cleched I know but Blind Faith really cements where I was and what I was at nineteen years old in that oh so wonderful, magical, whacky world of the summer of '69. I'll forever regret not joining my friends who hitch hiked from New York to Providence, RI to see Blind Faith in concert. If I had only known that it was to be a once in a lifetime Experience.

I had the vinyl way back when it first came out, and it's now 2015 when I have it on CD. It sounds beautiful! In fact, I hear things today that I'm sure I missed back then. For that reason alone, I urge you to buy it. However, there are more reasons. This album contains the two very best versions of "Can't Find My Way Home," and "In the Presence of the Lord," songs that have been bastardized in concert more often than most songs. These gems are beautifully rendered, with no over the top flourishes to please a rowdy crowd. As for the other tunes, I can honestly say I have found a new respect for them, whereas, in my youth, I didn't give them their due. Winwood's vocals throughout the album are a pure joy; he is such a fine singer, hitting all the notes with such emotion and style. Clapton's playing is studio-perfect; his solos are iconic on this album. The flash is in the perfection. Baker's drums are recorded in wonderful stereo, beautiful bass, separation, great rolls and thunder. What seemed exploratory then is now music you can celebrate in all settings. Drive to it, cook to it, party to it, host anything to it. Just buy it!

Blind Faith's self-titled debut would be the one and only release from what many rock fans and music industry insiders believed would be the band to take over where Cream left off. Containing 2/3 of Cream in Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton, the band also featured the talented Steve Winwood, who at age 20 already had made a name for himself with both the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic and had contributed significantly to Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album. The quartet would be rounded out by the much less famous yet talented bassist Rick Grech. Although one would think that Blind Faith would continue in the heavy blues and psychedelic direction of Cream, the album explored a variety of genres, as though it appeared the band was trying to find their sound. Sadly, just a few months after the album's release, Blind Faith would be no more, making many to wonder what they could have been capable of if they stuck together. The album leads off with "Had to Cry Today", a hard rocker led by a great guitar riff and Winwood's soaring vocals. Baker's drumming remains as creative as ever, often sounding like a lead instrument. It's also here that you already see Clapton's solos becoming more innovative, developing from the fiery fast licks that he played in Cream to a more distinctive and introspective tone that would define his solo work. The folky "Can't Find My Way Home" is a classic with another great vocal from Winwood. The band's version of "Well All Right" is also very good, ending with a short killer jam highlighted by Winwood's fast piano runs. The other classic from this album is the spiritual "Presence of the Lord." A longtime staple on classic rock radio, it remains one of Clapton's finest compositions. Another great song is the underrated "Sea Of Joy", a haunting track which features strong drumming from Baker and a great violin solo from Grech. The only misstep on the album is the 15-minute "Do What You Like." The first 5 ½ minutes are awesome as Winwood lays down a very spooky organ solo while Clapton's slow burning solo is awesome. However, when Grech's bass solo comes in, the track loses all momentum and Baker's long drum solo, impressive as it is, drags on longer than necessary. If both of their solos were shaved down a couple minutes, the track would have worked. All told, while Blind Faith isn't quite on par with the best work of Winwood, Baker, or Clapton, it's a very good album that shows off their remarkable talents.

The original cover art (airplane girl) has always creeped me out. I can’t speak to the sound quality versus the original, because I’ve never owned it, and have only ever heard it on the radio or more recently streaming in my car. That said this recording is really satisfying.

A good CD!!

Great to hear this music again after decades. Classic for a reason.

Es un muy buen álbum de esta banda de Eric Clapton. Imprescindible

An essential album for those who enjoy the music of the era. It's very rare to have four top-ranked musicians together. Highly recommended.

Ich habe über diese Platte in einer Musik-Zeitschrift gelesen und da ich ein großer Fan von guter Musik im Allgemeinen und somit von Rock-Musik im Besonderen bin, habe ich mir die digital remastered - Version zugelegt. Von daher kann ich jetzt persönlich keine Vergleiche zu früheren Veröffentlichungen auf LP oder CD anstellen. Insbesondere kann ich auch nicht beurteilen, ob der Sound jetzt sehr viel besser geworden ist oder eben nicht. Ich kann nur sagen, dass der Klang meiner CD sehr gut ist! Und was die Musik betrifft, kann ich den meißten Rezententen über die früheren Versionen diese Platte nur zustimmen! Und da sind viele dabei, die deutlich mehr Ahnung von der Platte und von Musik im Allgemeinen haben als ich. Also vielleicht auch diese Rezensionen einfach mal lesen ... Die hier gebotene Musik ist dermaßen gut, dass mir fast die Worte fehlen ... also, wer guten ehrlichen Blues-Rock mag mit diesem speziellen Feeling aus den späten 60- und den frühen 70igern, liegt hier genau richtig! Diese CD gefällt schon beim ersten Anhören. Die wahre Klasse der Musik kommt dann aber noch nach weiteren Durchläufen so richtig zur Geltung! Man sollte, nein eigentlich: Man muß diese CD in Ruhe anhören und kann dann einfach spüren, wie gut die beteiligten Musiker ihr Können umgesetzt haben. Ich will jetzt gar nicht so sehr auf den Status der damaligen Supergruppe um E. Clapton und St. Winwood eingehen und lieber die wirklich außergewöhnliche, "handgemachte" Musik für sich selber sprechen lassen. Jeder Freund echter Musik sollte mal ein Ohr riskieren! Vielleicht erlebt man ja eine - wenn nicht sogar die - positive Überraschung. Grüße!

Me embiaron otro igual de bueno en muy buen estado

I only buy music I like or think I'm going to like. I have this on vinyl from back in the day, so I must like it a lot to buy it again. I'm not one of those who hears the warmth of analogue, Have a great turntable and cartridge, but it's easier to listen to cds. Probably a good bet for anyone who wants to hear what a real super group sound like, Winwood, and Clapton are on top of their game, Baker, and Grech, were no slouches either. I suspect that cover wouldn't be allowed if it was released now.