Goodbye (Remastered)

iTunes Review

The posthumously released Goodbye served as Cream’s farewell, and although it was lacking the thematic and creative impact of Disraeli Gears and This Wheel’s On Fire, it's a fitting tribute to one of the hippie era’s mightiest groups. Cream’s first home was the stage, and Goodbye memorializes the band’s live act by devoting its first half to three tracks from the band’s performance at the Los Angeles Forum on October 19th, 1968, about a month before its final gig. The band tears into a triumphant rendition of career staple “I’m So Glad,” before turning inward for two groaning, grinding blues tracks. “Politician” and “Sitting on Top of the World” show that Cream never abandoned its blues beginnings, but simply transferred the grit and groan of key influences into a psychedelic setting. The album’s second half displays one track from each band member, with the Eric Clapton and George Harrison collaboration “Badge” as the obvious highlight. As much as “Badge” serves as the starting point for Clapton’s hugely successful solo career, Jack Bruce’s “Doing That Scrapyard Thing” and Ginger Baker’s “What a Bringdown” are the songs that bring Cream’s viscous, rhythmic style to its logical conclusion.