1. Strange Brew
2. Sunshine Of Your Love
3. World Of Pain
4. Dance The Night Away
5. Blue Condition
6. Tales Of Brave Ulysses
7. Swlabr
8. We're Going Wrong
9. Outside Woman Blues
10. Take It Back
11. Mother's Lament

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An influential 1967 classic
Whilst debate continues to rage as to the identity of the 'first' heavy metal album- Truth: Remastered, Led Zeppelin I: Remastered, In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida and many others vie for the title- few could doubt the influence of Disreali Gears on the upcoming generation of Sabbaths and Priests.

The Hendrix-influenced Sunshine of Your Love still stands today as a template for monolithic acid-rock and it is hard to deny that the speed and drive of SWLABR must have atleast pricked the ears of Claptons contemporaries Beck and Page. However, although it is true that DG stands as a highly influential album, its pallette is not limited to the hard and heavy. Strange Brew melts Albert King guitar licks with Barrett era Floyd imagery (The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn was released earlier in the year) and the psychadelic influences of 1967 are felt throughout the album lyrically (not least in the cod-cockney Mothers Lament which references both the Kinks ans Small Faces in its obvious affection for the kitsch of English music-hall culture.)

Musically the album reflects a golden time in the development of the trios musical ability- more assertive than their offerings on Fresh Cream, yet without the musical excesses that would later dog the band. Bakers heavy use of the toms for example throughout the album are effective yet restrained. Although Clapton would arguably reach the nadir of his status as 'guitar hero' with the release of the extended live Crossroads solo on Wheels Of Fire, he manages to escape the limits of his reverential blues repetoir, and shines briefly as an artist with his own unique, vocal, lead guitar style. Bruce continues to defy blues-bass confines with subversive jazz voicings and an assertive, driving tone.

Many say that Creams musicians- and Clapton in particular- peaked their careers in this band. If this is so, then Disreali Gears qualifies as not just their greates collective achievement, but a remarkable highlight in the lives of 3 talented musicians.

Interesting
I bought this CD on the back of hearing Clapton's psycadelic solo on 'Go Back Home' from Stephen Stills self titled debut solo album. I was expecting to hear more of the same and to an extent I did - but not as much as I was expecting. A fairly short recording the obvious stand outs are 'Strange Brew', Sunshine of Your Love' and the underestimated World of Pain. Short but Sweet!

Superb Album
I originally got this just for the track 'Sunshine of Your Love' (after hearing it on so many movie soundtracks and the infamous cover by Jimi hendrix on the Lulu Show). I'm so glad I got the album and not just the track as there are some superb songs on there like 'Strange Brew', 'Blue Condition' and 'swlabr' (She Was Like A Bearded Rainbow) which mix blues and psychedelia magically.
As a side note the album's title comes from one of the roadies saying "its got them Disraeli Gears", meaning to say "derailleur gears" when commenting on Eric Clapton's new motor bike.

Ageing improves
Being of the Cream generation, this cd is additional justification for my long held belief that things improve with age. The quality of the recording and the standard of playing are are infinitely higher on the Albert Hall reunion concert. Get the dvd and marvel at the musicianship. It will probably be cheaper, too, Disraeli Gears has only 31 minutes of playing time

One of the very few classic rock albums that are actually classics.
I am 17 year old and i'm a massive fan of heavy metal, I love most types of music from Heavy Metal to Blues to abit of Indie to Instrumental rock and all types of rock from 60s 70s and 80s. 2 of my friends who have similar taste in music as me really like Eric Clapton so I checked his greatest hits and that was brilliant. Then I decided to start my Cream selection and bought this and i love it.

This awesome rock/blues album was made famous by the song Sunshine Of Your Love, which is a brilliant song but there is more to this album then that song. The best song for me here is World Of Pain it's amazing and the vocals on this album are brilliant. In conclusion, this album is brilliant and should any music lovers collection whatever music you like buy it.

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