BBM Jack Bruce Ginger Baker - Around the Next Dream (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

If You Like "Cream", You Will Love This

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 06/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The state of the music business is truly sorry when a gem like this can slip into obscurity almost unnoticed while choreographed trash from the Back Street Boys, Celine Dion and their ilk assaults our senses daily. Cream was one of the premier power trios of the late 1960s and this picks up where they left off. No, its not a clone by any means. No Cream songs are either played or imitated. Beyond the Next Dream is a masterpiece in its own right. Who cares that Clapton is gone? Here, noted blues guitarist Gary Moore supplies the guitar heroics, Ginger Baker the driving percussion, and the distinctive bluesy voice of Jack Bruce gives the listener that old Cream feeling. From the first, driving notes of Waiting in the Wings, I was in heaven. The two best songs are the funny Can't Fool the Blues and the philosophically truthful High Cost of Loving. Not every song is power blues. Why Does Love Have To Go Wrong and Wrong Side of Town are suffused with the subdued, measured fury that is a Jack Bruce trademark. If you are a fan of power trios, you will like this and if you are a fan of the Cream, you are going to love it. This CD deserves my highest recommendation."

The Cream Comes To The Top...Again - Simply Outstanding

Bill Appel | Ashburn, Virginia USA | 12/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am always blown away every time I hear this masterpiece. This album was released in 1994 when greats Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Gary Moore formed what would unfortunately be this great power trio's only album together. I still cannot believe to this day the degree of obscurity this gem has endured through the years without more deserved commercial recognition and appreciation.

Baker and Bruce provide heavy influenced Cream stylings in this power blues-rock set with former Thin Lizzy to solo rock axe ace to a now blues guitar extraordinare, Gary Moore, displaying some really sensational, energetic and heartfelt playing. Bruce never sounded so good with his wonderfully unique raspy-bluesy vocal and Baker explodes with his continued mastering of the skins.

This is British power-trio blues-rock at its best and though it kind of is a welcome extension of the great Cream (without Clapton of course, however, Moore is definitely no slouch at all), the all original (10) songs are not just Cream clones and have a very fresh, energetic and artistic flair and posture with a fine combination of sharp slower and mid-tempo bluesy ballads along with distinct, well-crafted, raw blues-rock assaults.

Each track has its well deserved moments as the first cut "Waiting In The Wings" kicks off with smokin' power of what is simply a classic set. Although all these tracks are superb, my personal favorite is 8+ minute "Why Does Love (Have To Go Wrong)" where Moore's 3:00 blistering, jaw dropping guitar solo to end this song is as good as any in recorded music.

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Power Trio...still works

John D. Aldridge | Waimanalo, Hawaii | 11/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Cream never existed I would still enjoy this album very much. Gary Moore has a ferocious guitar style, with a lot of emotion. Jack Bruce is a serious solid bass player and an heartfelt singer. He is a true all around musician. Ginger Baker has always been a primal drummer, with great technique, a wonderful combination. They blend togeather very well. Sure, some of the song are similiar to Cream songs. So what? Really, is that bad? They stand alone as good compositions, and they rock too! Good hard driving blues rock, exciting musicianship...and actual vocal MELODIES...not just screaming. For an old timer like me, who plays guitar every day, this album is a joy."

A Cream Reunion..plus!!!

Dominique Morrow | Las Vegas, NV United States | 09/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BBM is almost a Cream reunion album. Cream was in the late sixties, one of rock's most influential band featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. They practical invented the concept of the power trio (pre Jimi Hendrix) by playing blues- rock through stacks of Marshall amps. They were on the verge of becoming as big as the Beatles and the Stones when they broke up in 1969. Eventually, Led Zeppelin reaped the benefits from the foundations that these guys laid down. This time, instead of Eric Clapton we get Gary Moore, a guitarist who plays in much the same vein as Clapton with a whole lot of soul and heart.
This album can proudly take its place along side of Fresh Cream, Disrealy Gears and Wheels of Fire, the three true albums that they recorded. The music is blues based but strays into rock and some pop, just like they always did.... and man does it rock! One hears echoes of "White Room", "Strange Brew "and "Crossroads". This is not to say that the album is merely derivative, these guys are creative and evolving musicians, they are working in a genre that they practically invented. This listener never got the feeling that they were trying to cash in on past glories.
Jack Bruce has such a distinct singing voice, powerful yet smooth and Ginger Baker's drumming is also one of a kind. They both gave Cream it's distinct character. It was great to hear them together again and it's a shame that they have not enjoyed Clapton's level of success over the years. Moore is a successful solo artist who has worked in different styles, from heavy medal to the blues. Clearly, based on his age, Bruce, Clapton and Baker would have had to be major influences. Here he adapts to Bruce's and Baker's style with his blues runs and fill-in guitar spots (he plays a lot more 'wha wha" guitar than on his solo albums.
I can honestly say that while I am a big fan of all three musicians, I would have liked this album even it had been made by total unknowns. If you have not heard these guys before but like artist like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn then check this album out, the music just rocks! Then try a Gary Moore album, especially the blues base one, the guy bears down on the fret board and boogies with the best of them.
My only complaint is about the packaging. From my point of view, a gathering of this caliber of musicians should have been a major event. Yet, we get virtually no information, no liner notes about the artists or the music. Gary Moore got to play with his childhood heroes and we hear nothing about it. Just like this album, which suffered from a lack of attention and promotion, which makes it one of the great-undiscovered gems of classic rock."

Oh what could have been!

Bob Davis | Christchurch New Zealand | 09/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having been starved of Cream for so many years, it was exciting to buy this CD featuring Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Gary Moore back in 1994. The album only partially lived up to the expectations that I had. Moore plays some great guitar, Ginger's drumming has its moments and Jack contributes significantly in several ways. It is an album that has Gary Moore's stamp on it both in sound and choice of songs. While I continue to play and enjoy it after 11 years, there is a touch of disappointment that they failed to produce the knockout they could have. To me the style lacks a more blues tinge and some of the songs I could do without. The highlight is 'Why does love (have to go wrong)' with some staggering guitar from Moore, distinctive drums from Ginger and ferocious base from Jack."

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