In October 1968, Cream met for the last time in a
studio to record some songs for the farewell album: "Goodbye".
Produced by Felix Pappalardi and arranged by Robert Stigwood at the IBC studios
in London under the supervision of the sound engineer: Damon Lyon-Shaw; this
last work was originally composed of two disc, in line with "Wheels of
Fire", published just a couple of months ago, in August.
The original ”Goodbye” contained a part recorded in
concert during his last tour and other in studio; with the difference that the
live part was going to be placed on sides A and B; while the studio songs would
go to disc 2.
This was the original version that should have been
published in December 1968.
Side A: (In Concert).(19:26)
Winterland, San Francisco.Ca.
10 March 1968.
1- N.S.U.(Unedited).(12:38)
2- Sleepy Time Time.(6:48)
Side B: (In Concert).(19:38)
The Forum, Los Angeles.Ca.
19 October 1968.
1- I´m So Glad.(9:32)
2- Politician.(5:10)
3- Sitting On Top Of The
World.(4:55)
Although the idea was to use live shots of
the final U.S tour, between the Oakland concert on October 4 and the last
date in Rhode Island on November 4, and some mixes were made especially from
the Oakland concert, finally no were used, only some of these live outtakes
were included in 1972 on "Live Cream Vol.2".
This 2nd disc was a “Greatest Hits” with unreleased
tracks like: "Badge" "What A Bringdown" or “Doing That
Scrapyard Thing”. with others not included in any Lp like the single:
"Anyone for tennis" or the "Disraeli Gears" outtake:
"Lawdy Mama".
Side C: (Studio).(18:52)
1- Sunshine Of Your Love.(4:13)
2- Badge.(2:47)
3- What A Bringdown.(4:01)
4- White Room.(5:00)
5-Lawdy Mama #2.(2:49)
Side D: (Studio).(18:52)
1- Anyone For Tennis.(2:40)
2- Spoonful.(Edit).(4:21)
3- Tales Of Brave Ulysses.(2:49)
4- Strange Brew.(2:49)
5- I Feel Free.(2:53)
6- Doing That Scrapyard Thing.(3:18)
At the middle of November, the double album was
ready, the result was shown to the record company for publication shortly after
the concerts of the Royal Albert Hall, on November 25 & 26, 1968. But the
original plans for "Goodbye" were modified by the company. Delayed
until February, when it was released,instead of a double album, was a single Lp
with only six tracks; three live recordings from Los Angeles Forum, and three
new songs from October sessions. In March the single "Badge"/ “What a
bringdown” ,was released.
In the summer of 1969 was published in the United
States "Best Of Cream", part that corresponded to the second LP of
the "Goodbye" original ", with some change on the order of the
songs; in October this “Greatest Hits” was published in United Kingdom too.
Finally in April of 1970 came the Lp "Live Cream", with the A side
corresponding to "Goodbye", with the unreleased "Lawdy
Mama", also from the same work. Completing it with extra recordings
recorded live on Winterland and Fillmore. What is not understood either is that
no cuts of the Royal Albert Hall shows were included. Considered historical
recordings.
"Goodbye" received harsh criticism after its
publication due to its scarce musical contribution; Bit.ly/68CRMG more
money gave it to records company three albums than one only. Anyway.., In
this new reconstruction that I bring you it´s shown for the first time what was
going to be "Goodbye -The Orginal Concept”, in December 1968, as the final
project of the super group "Cream".
Enjoy it.
Pie de foto: Alternate cover rejected for “Goodbye”.
