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Product Description
Review
While Jack Bruce's solo career has beaten a sometimes wayward path (most notably in the formation of several dodgy power trios with guitarists Gary Moore, Robin Trower and Leslie West), his 1969 solo debut is worthy of the oft-used 'classic album' tag. It's a long way from the bluesy bluster of uber-trio Cream, though the bassist's aggression and authority shines through just as strongly here. The words are provided by Pete Brown, whose writing partnership with the bassist provided Cream's most substantial material. His slightly surreal prose is a great fit with Bruce's vocal delivery, which ranges from bruised, fragile white soul to bluesy belting.
Bruce's intricate but powerful settings concoct a fusion of rock, jazz and proggy psychedelia, given both punch and focus by Felix Pappalardi's spacious production. While there's a superficial resemblance to the early jazz/rock fusions of Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears, this is much more adventurous, elegant fare. From sweaty R'n'B (''Ministry of Bag'') to psychedelic jazz improv (''Boston Ball Game 1967''), Procol Harum-esque melancholia (''Theme for an Imaginary Western'') to the intricate songforms of ''Ropeladder to the Moon'', Songs covers all the bases but never sounds thin or overstretched.
Unsurprisingly, the bass is up close and in your face throughout all this genre hopping. Bruce's melodic invention and (let's not put too fine a point on it) balls inspired a generation of potential bassists in ways few had done before; gone were the days when four string duties were handed out to the worst guitarist in the average rock band (though they do seem to be back now). Support comes from Colosseum's Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith, plus the wondrous Chris Spedding (melting a few frets at the Boston Ball Game) and a host of horn players.
Those who'll be hearing this for the first time are to be envied, while seasoned Bruceologists will be rewarded with a sparkling remastering job and the obligatory extra demo versions, alternate mixes and edits. Classic stuff (there, I've said it). --Peter Marsh
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Album Description
Songs for a Tailor is ex-Cream bass player Jack Bruce's first solo album. This digitally remastered version of his 1969 solo album comes complete with four bonus tracks and sleeve notes by Mark Powell.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I had this album on vinyl and hadn't listened to it for years, so my first reaction was surprise that it still stands up so well. Liberated from Cream, Jack Bruce could finally do what he wanted, with that fabulous bass to the fore, driving the melody as well as the rhythm. Great songs that are still different and challenging, and the added delight of Jon Hiseman's drumming on a few tracks. The bonus tracks are also enlightening, especially the almost punk Clearout and the Ministry of Bag demo. The uninitiated may take a few hearings to get into it, but persevere, it's worth it.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Jack has been a great influance on other artists as a bass player from when he played with John Mayall. Together with Clapton and Baker in Cream he helped change the way Blues were played and understood. When this album was first released it proved to me what a brilliant artist he was. It covers Jazz Blues Fusion like nothing else of its time. Today its still hits the spot.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Recorded after the demise of Cream this album highlights the phenomenal compositional and vocal skills of the young Jack Bruce. The main players alongside Bruce are guitarist Chris Spedding and drummer Jon Hiseman. The album is full of fairly short succinct songs of great rhythm, unexpected twists and real invention.
One of the greatest albums of all time.
One of the greatest albums of all time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
How to follow Cream.
Songs For A Tailor. Excellent album. Personally I think its Jacks finest hour barre Live Cream. Never Tell Your Mothers She Out Of Tune, Rope Ladder To The Moon, Theme For An... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Karlos B
Melodic
I did have the original vinyl record but that was long ago; I had forgotten how melodic Jack's bass was and you can lose yourself just riding his playing. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2009 by I. Gillespie
This album should have marked a new direction for rock
I've been meaning to write a review of this for ages but it's not an easy one to tackle. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO SOMEONE WHO HASN'T HEARD IT, as they won't have heard... Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2008 by Basiledes
Way better than Clapton
Whilst Eric Clapton sank into well-paid mediocrity Jack Bruce showed with this album that he was interested first and foremost in the music. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2007 by David Dixon
Great Album
I remember when this album came out in vinyl many years ago after Jack Bruce left Cream. Being a big fan of the supergroup and alot younger then, I wasn't sure when I first heard... Read more
Published on 4 July 2007 by Rob Dylan
"Debut" solo album classic effort
After the break up of Cream Jack Bruce dove right into his second solo album (his first was an instrumental album that was released after this one). Read more
Published on 1 May 2007 by WTDK
Everything Is Peaches but the Cream
Some saw the release of this album as commercial suicide.
Fresh from his stint with the original supergroup, Cream, Jack's
first solo album is not quite what you would... Read more
Fresh from his stint with the original supergroup, Cream, Jack's
first solo album is not quite what you would... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2003 by Mr. K. A. Bell
A genuine forgotten classic
Recorded after the demise of Cream this album highlights the phenomenal compositional and vocal skills of the young Jack Bruce. Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2001 by Mr P
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