Song Of The Week: 2/25/18

Song: "Anyone For Tennis"

Artist: Cream

Album: "Anyone For Tennis" single

Year: 1968

Place Of Origin: London, England

Years Active: 1966 - 1968



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Anyone For Tennis" is really a juxtaposition of a song. The song is actually a scathing commentary of the Vietnam War, specifically how the governments lie and portray an image that is far from reality. Reality was that the war was horrific, to both sides yet the government was trying to spread positivity through messages of victory. The juxtaposition is in how the song was written and sung. It's performed as a happy song with catchy melody and poetic lyrics but those lyrics are quite dark, contrasting the happy melody. "Anyone For Tennis" is Eric Clapton tapping his inner Beatles or Grateful Dead. The song was recorded during the sessions for Cream's 1968 album "Wheels Of Fire" but didn't make the album, instead released as a single.

CREAM DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1966 - Fresh Cream (Reaction Records)
1967 - Disraeli Gears (Reaction Records)
1968 - Wheels Of Fire (Polydor Records)
1969 - Goodbye (Polydor Records)
1970 - Live Cream (Polydor Records)
1972 - Live Cream Volume II (Polydor Records)
2003 - BBC Sessions (Polydor Records)
2005 - Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6 2005 (Reprise Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF CREAM:

Cream was a supergroup formed back in 1966 in London, England. They got their name because all the members were hailed as the "cream of the crop" when it came to performers. Those members included Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals, Jack Bruce on bass and vocals and Ginger Baker on drums. Each member contributed to the songwriting of the band. Cream released their debut album in 1966, titled "Fresh Cream". This album would reach #6 on the U.K. charts. The band's next album, 1967's "Disraeli Gears", would be a top 5 albums on both sides of the Atlantic. This album featured monster singles in "Strange Brew", "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" and "Sunshine Of Your Love". The band's third album, 1968's "Wheels Of Fire" would be the very first platinum selling double album. It featured the mega hits "White Room" and "Crossroads". Though Cream was very successful and hailed as one of the best and most important acts of the late 60's, tensions were rising to the surface within the band, mostly because of the tenuous relationship between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. It got to the point where the tensions were affecting the band's live performances and after a farewell tour of the United States and two shows at London's Royal Albert Hall, the group decided to call it quits in late 1968. The band did record enough material to put out one last album as well, 1969's "Goodbye", which features the song "Badge" which George Harrison of The Beatles co-wrote with Eric Clapton. Post break-up, Cream released four live albums, "Live Cream" and "Live Cream Volume II" focused on the performances in the 60's. 2003's "BBC Sessions" was recordings of their performances at London's famous BBC. and in 2005, the band reunited for four performances at London's Royal Albert Hall which were recorded and released as a live cd/dvd package. The band also reunited for a few shows at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2005, but those shows were marred with some of the same problems that basically destroyed the band back in 1968. The only other time the band performed together was at their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. On October 25, 2014, bassist Jack Bruce died due to complications of liver disease thus closing the book on Cream forever. Cream was a juggernaut! Though they were a band for only two years, they left a lasting impact on rock and roll music. Though based in American blues, Cream did branch out in other genres, including some psychedelic rock. The band was volatile however. Bruce and Baker just couldn't see eye to eye and Clapton wasn't happy about drifting away from the blues which was really his calling. In their short time, they managed to influence the future of rock and roll. Led Zeppelin was clearly influenced by Cream and the legendary Jimi Hendrix was a huge fan of the band and specifically the guitar playing of Eric Clapton. In fact, Cream and Hendrix really were the originators of incorporating the wah-wah pedal in rock music. Cream proved that a power trio could sound huge! Selling more than 15 million albums worldwide, Cream is most definitely one of the greatest rock and roll acts of all time!

TEN CREAM SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Strange Brew
2. Crossroads (Robert Johnson cover)
3. Tales Of Brave Ulysses
4. Sunshine Of Your Love
5. White Room
6. I Feel Free
7. Badge
8. Anyone For Tennis
9. Sitting On Top Of The World (Mississippi Sheiks cover)
10. Spoonful (Willie Dixon cover)