CD of the Week Jan. 21-Jan. 27, 2001

Blind Faith

Blind Faith Deluxe Edition

Polydor

Blind Faith was one the absolute greatest one hit wonders of all time. Formed out of the ashes of Cream and Traffic in 1969 it was Rock’s first supergroup. It featured Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker from Cream on guitar and drums respectively, along with the relatively unknown bassist from Family, Rick Grech and Traffic/Spencer Davis Group superstar, Steve Winwood on vocals, keyboards and various other instruments.

Unlike some superstar projects this album holds together well with artful songwriting and some incredible playing. There is no doubting the talent of the three main players here, Clapton, Winwood and Baker. Today Clapton is one of the most famous performers in the world, but even back then he was a huge star and deservedly so. He had come up playing guitar with the Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, but he received his greatest popularity with Baker and bassist Jack Bruce in the power trio, Cream. It was partly the intense success of Cream and the pressures that went along with that success that caused the group to splinter.

Winwood had started out as the dynamic vocalist for the Spencer Davis Group at age 16. After leaving that group he started Traffic along with Jim Capaldi and Dave Mason and enjoyed huge success with that outfit. At the time of Blind Faith, Traffic was on temporary hiatus and its future was unknown.

Ginger Baker had established himself in Cream as one the premiere drummers in the rock world, and he was a huge component in that group's success. Able to play powerfully like Keith Moon or swing like Elvin Jones, Baker was and is a virtuoso.

The album hit the stands in 1969 to enormous hype and anticipation. One listen to Polydor’s newly released and expanded Blind Faith Deluxe Edition proves that this excitement was justified. The album holds up amazingly well today and contains some of Clapton and Winwood’s very finest work.

"Can’t Find My Way Home’ is memorable song that features a beautiful vocal by Winwood that seems to reflect the weariness and disillusionment of many people at the close of the sixties. This is probably Blind Faith’s most famous song and it is showcased on this expanded release in two versions, one acoustic and one electric.

"Presence of My Lord" is a Clapton song that seems influenced by the Band’s early work. Clapton has rarely written a better song and the playing on this version is both delicate and illuminating.

"Well Alright" is a Buddy Holly cover that features Blind Faith rocking out quite nicely with a unique take on the arrangement.

"Do What You Like" is a Ginger Baker composition that is less of a song than a vehicle for jamming. It features extended improvisational passages that really give each musician a chance to shine. In some ways this is my favorite track on the album, because it so fun to hear these master players interact.

Polydor’s newly expanded version of the album is rounded out with a series of unreleased tracks. Most of these are actually studio jams rather than songs. There is the electric version of "Can’t Find My Way Home" mentioned above and two versions of "Sleeping in the Ground" which is a Sam Myers Blues tune, but in my opinion the real gems aren’t these actual songs, but the loose jams. Most of the jams were recorded before Rick Grech joined the band and so Winwood doubles on bass and/or keyboards depending on the track. Most of these jams run upwards of 15 minutes and feature all sorts of interesting group interaction. "Acoustic jam" is, exactly as the title implies, an all-acoustic affair that finds Blind Faith taking on the persona of a jazz band. This track actually does feature Grech as well as Clapton on acoustic guitar and Winwood on piano. This is a really cool opportunity to hear Clapton play lots of unamplified jazzy leads. If you buy this reissue be sure to pay special attention to Ginger Baker’s drumming on these extended jams. Listen to how he slowly changes the rhythm and direction of the music over a matter of minutes, so subtly that you hardly notice. The jams have sort of bland names, but they cover a variety of styles. "Very Long and Good Jam" is very West African sounding. "Slow Jam 1" and "Slow Jam 2" sound more like Mississippi Blues while the "Change of Address Jam" is sort of a hybrid of Bo Diddley and ZZ Top.

This reissue is worth the price just for the superior sound on the original album, but I find the extra material to be a revelation. Clapton too often buries his guitar playing in overproduced songs, but you will find none of that on these jams. This is very pure music. Of course it was never meant to be released, so it is a little rough around the edges, but I think that adds to its appeal.

I want to mention the excellent design and packaging that are a big part of this re-release. The original cover is restored and the whole 2 CD set fits into a plastic slipcase. There is nice booklet with thoughtful liner notes and loads of great pictures. The people at Polydor went all out for this release and really gave this album the royal treatment it deserves.

Blind Faith ended up breaking up after this single album and one disastrous tour. Clapton and Winwood both went on to well known superstar careers. Baker has tinkered with both World music and Jazz, but is not heard from often. Grech went on to play with Winwood in a reformed Traffic, but never had such a high profile gig again. Blind Faith has become something of a footnote in Rock history in the years since their breakup, but this expanded reissue of their sole album helps us remember what an amazing grouping of collective talent this band really was.

Blind Faith rehearsing