The 50th Birthday Concerts (2 DVD Set)

Jack Bruce

MVD Entertainment, 2014

http://www.jackbruce.com

REVIEW BY: David Bowling

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 02/02/2015

There probably would have never been another Cream reunion, but that fact became definite last year when Jack Bruce passed away at the age of 71. The release of The 50th Birthday Concerts is a fitting eulogy for his life and career.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Before the age of 30, Bruce had been a part of such bands as Blues Incorporated with Alexis Korner, The Graham Bond Quartet, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Manfred Mann, the short lived Powerhouse, West, Bruce, & Laing, and the iconic Cream. His solo career extended for the next four decades. In celebration of his career, Bruce threw himself a 50th birthday bash with a live concert. He took the stage at the E-Werk in Cologne the evenings of November 2nd and 3rd of 1993 with such luminaries as Ginger Baker, Gary Moore, Dick Heckstall-Smith, and others in tow.

The 34 tracks are from both nights and spread out over two DVDs. There are no repeats here, and the songs are pulled from all phases of his career. Gary Moore was only present one night but he is part of a six song highlight as he provides the guitar work for such Cream songs as “White Room,” “Spoonful,” “Politician,” “Sitting On Top Of The World,” and “Sunshine Of Your Love.”

Bruce’s solo career material may not be as well-known as that of his work with Cream, but his 1970s albums Songs From A Tailor, Harmony Row, and Out Of The Storm all provide material that revolves around his voice and bass.

Bruce is both a well-known bassist and an exceptional one. This is very apparent on his solo work and on stage when he is the center of attention. The live tracks with just saxophonist Heckstall-Smith and drummer Baker have a jazz element and are excellent examples of his creativity and expertise.

This visual document of Jack Bruce in concert is a nice retrospective of his career and a fitting farewell.

Rating: B

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