Friday May 6. Fresh back from 2 Cream shows. I had tickets for Monday night, then scalped a ticket for Tuesday's show too. The value was 125 pounds and I paid 70 pounds for a choir seat, stage right. I got to dance the night away in my spot, no one behind me, and only 2 people sitting in front of me. My view for Tuesday was AWESOME, directly above Jack Bruce and Eric tended to play towards Bruce facing me. It was SWEET. What amazing energy Cream created, I was soaking it up and in AWE, like everybody else at RAH.

The sound quality out of the JBL speakers that were specially rigged for these shows was the BEST SOUND I've ever heard in the Hall. Very crystal clear. Not loud though. I thought it would be especially loud since that was one thing Cream were known for. I could feel Jack Bruce's thumping Bass a few times in my solar plexus.

On both nights, Clapton wore casual shoes and blue jeans but different Western cut shirts from America. He was sweating so much he kept having to wipe his face with a red towel. They were smokin'!!! So many people had their recorders out but my bag was searched so I don't know how so much got through security. Obviously a lot. You'll can dowload it all at www.cream2005.com , another great fan site!

I entered RAH a Clapton fan and came out Monday night rethinking everything I'd ever read about Jack Bruce. It's one thing to read that someone is a virtuoso talent, and quite another to experience it firsthand live -- 2 different things altogether for the brain to comprehend. He's the one who held my attention both shows. What charisma! His talent is ENORMOUS. His vocals are in fine shape after all these years, very lyrical and commanding. He ad-libbed a few lines that were funny as on Monday's "Born Under a Bad Sign." He wailed on that harp on a couple of numbers. The whole experience was outstanding and the Cream were a force to be reckoned with. They all 3 were enjoying their sound & the vibe immensely. Lots of smiles all round that stage. On Tuesday, after Eric smoked us with his work out on a Chicago Blues Stormy Monday, which gives me chills just to remember, Ginger Baker yelled over his drum kit to Eric "That was F&*()&* BRILLANT!".

I think I liked Tuesday's show better than Monday when I was very nervous and full of anticipation. It was like riding a great roller coaster for the first time. You don't know where the twists & turns and pitches are but they take you on a thrill ride. The second time you know to anticipate them and go with the flow better. They played the same set list both nights for about 2 hours, however, they weren't the same, little nuances along the way in both shows.

The crowd were older people who'd seen Cream first round in the 60s but some brought their teenaged kids (or grand kids even!) and a few 20 & 30 somethings (me). RAH always has a polite crowd. The English at RAH are very refined, not like boisterous loud American audiences. I always say to EC fans, you really need to make a "pilmagrage" to RAH. It's a special venue indeed. Before the show, everyone was in a BUZZ. After the show, a BIGGER BUZZ. The crowd remained seated mostly. At the end of the show, Tuesday, the people on the floor's first 6 rows rushed the stage. Cream only played one Encore which I was surprised by. I thought they should play 3 at least!

I know you've seen the set lists already, and read others' reviews. Nobody has mentioned that on Monday night, the RAH was smoke filled with incense that created a 60s funky atmosphere. I think they were burning Nag Champa from India to set the mood, and clear the space. They didn't burn it Tuesday. The light show was remarkable, low key with 60s hippy trippy dippy colors being projected on a small screen behind the drum kit running the length of the stage. There are excellent photos posted at the cream2005 site.

Everyone was in GREAT SPIRITS to be at these shows. There was a special vibe in the air like none other I've ever witnessed and it was TOO COOL. I wish you could all have been there with me. Bring on that 2-set DVD already!

Gina