1969 - June: Blind Faith “Blind Faith”

12/09/24 • 42 min

Blind Faith was a supergroup formed from Cream members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Traffic founder Steve Winwood, and Family bassist/violinist Ric Grech. Cream collapsed after increasing strife between members, particularly Baker and bassist Jack Bruce. Traffic went on hiatus, and Winwood began jamming with Clapton in his basement. Baker sat in on a session shortly after they moved to Traffic's rehearsal space in Berkshire, and was added to the lineup after some reluctance from Clapton was overcome. Finally, Grech was invited to join, and left the Family in the middle of a U.S. tour, creating understandable grievances.

The group created blues-oriented and psychedelic rock for their eponymously named Blind Faith debut album. A summer tour was launched, but it was a challenging thing. Clapton didn't want to do long jam sessions on the tour, but their single album was not a lot of material for a concert. As a result, they wound up playing a significant amount of Cream and Traffic songs. This delighted the audience, but irritated and distanced Clapton.

Despite great buzz from critics and fans alike, the group was destined to only last a few months. Clapton began drifting away while on tour, spending more time with opening act Delaney & Bonnie. He would eventually join that group prior to launching Derek & the Dominos. Ginger Baker would move on to form Ginger Baker's Air Force, bringing in Winwood and Grech for a short stint before Winwood rejoined Traffic.

Rob brings us this short-lived supergroup in this week's podcast.

Had to Cry Today
The title track dispenses with the 3-minute single format in favor of a long form jam written by Steve Winwood. The lyrics are ambiguous, and could reference a dying relationship, or perhaps a friend drifting away.

Can't Find My Way Home
Winwood also wrote this well-known single from the album, covered by a number of artists including Joe Cocker, Alison Krauss, and Bonnie Raitt. Winwood has been asked about the meaning of the lyrics, but has said that discussing song lyrics is a little like explaining a joke - it doesn't add anything to the experience. Clapton leaves his electric guitar in favor of a rare acoustic one for this song.

Well All Right
This track is the only one not written by members of Blind Faith. Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Jerry Allison, and Joe B. Mauldin wrote this song, and Holly sang it in 1958. Clapton takes lead vocal duties on this song.

Sea of Joy
A piece of Winwood's writing also leads off side two of the album. While some believe the song references hallucinogens, a simpler meaning would be simply the joy of being on the water. “And I'm feeling close to when the race is run. Waiting in our boats to set sail. Sea of joy.”

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Pfft You Were Gone (from the variety show “Hee Haw”)
This country comedy and music show premiered on CBS in this month. Buck Owens and Roy Clark led an ensemble of regulars and guests in this variety show.

STAFF PICKS:

These Eyes by The Guess Who
Wayne starts out the staff picks with a song co-written by lead singer Burton Cummings and lead guitarist Randy Bachman. This was their breakout song, with lyrics that describe the devastating feeling in the days following a long relationship break-up.

Badge by Cream
Lynch reminds us that while Cream may have disbanded by this time, their music was still on the charts. Eric Clapton and George Harrison wrote this song. It was supposed to be called "Bridge," but was named "Badge," due to a misreading of the handwritten title. George Harrison plays rhythm guitar, credited as "D'Angelo Misterioso" to avoid contractual issues.

Oh Happy Day by the Edwin Hawkins Singers
Bruce features the first gospel song to hit the charts, reaching number 4 on the US singles chart. Edwin Hawkins took a hymn originally written by Phillip Doddridge in 1755, and updated it with a piano introduction inspired by Sergio Mendes and lyrical improvisations influenced by James Brown.

See by The Rascals
Rob finishes the staff picks with the fuzzy lead off and title track to the Rascals sixth studio album. Between 1966 and 1968, the Rascals released a number of soul-inspired singles. This album marked a change in the band's focus from blue-eyed soul to psychedelic rock.

COMEDY TRACK:

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Rob brings us this short-lived supergroup in this week's podcast.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

STAFF PICKS:

COMEDY TRACK:

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Previous Episode

1988 - November: Bon Jovi "New Jersey"

Bon Jovi took the rock world by storm with their massive third album, "Slippery When Wet." A big tour followed, and afterwards the band was anxious to demonstrate that they were not a one (album) hit wonder. They got into the studio at Vancouver, BC in May of 1988 and quickly recorded their fourth studio album entitled New Jersey. Originally going under the working title "Sons of Beaches," the band would settle on their home state as the name of the album. Bon Jovi wanted to make a double album, but the record label balked, fearing that the higher price tag of a double album would impact sales. The album still clocked in at close to an hour of play length, not uncommon during a time when CD's were beginning to stretch the length of albums past the more common album play times.

The result was a stellar success, debuting on the Billboard 200 albums chart at number 8, before moving to the top spot a week later, where it would remain for four weeks. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote most of the songs on the album, with some assistance from songwriter Desmond Child. Five singles from the album went into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with two topping that chart.

Bon Jovi would go on to an unusual achievement - remaining one of rock music's A-listers for decades. Bon Jovi would continue to sell out arenas, a feat limited to groups such as U2, Metallica, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones.

Friend of the show Julie Doran brings us this stellar album. We are also joined by friend of the show Steve Hardin as we cover for the absence of both Wayne and Lynch this week. In addition, fan of the Show Christian joins us to help Rob bring his Staff Pick.

Bad Medicine
Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora collaborate with Desmond Child in the writing of this song which went to number 1 on the US charts. The lyrics are pretty straightforward, comparing love to a drug. "There ain't no doctor that can cure my disease." The video features hand-held cameras provided to fans at the concert providing their "point of view" at the concert.

Living In Sin
The fifth single from the album still broke into the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This power ballad has lyrics that explore love being more powerful than the expectations of society. Bon Jovi is singing about his high school sweetheart, whom he would marry in Las Vegas while on the New Jersey Syndicate tour.

Born to Be My Baby
This single is another example for the collaboration with Desmond Child, and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has a lot of similarities with Springsteen, with lyrics about a couple of working class lovers facing the world together. The video took the opposite direction from many highly produced videos of the time, opting for low budget black-and-white.

I'll Be There For You
The big hit from the album was this number 1 power ballad. With a runtime of 5:43, this song is the longest song to hit number 1 on the charts in 1989. The lyrics describe a guy desperately seeking to get his girl back, this time forever.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Al Green and Annie Lennox (from the motion picture “Scrooged”)
Bill Murray stars in this retelling of "A Christmas Carol."

STAFF PICKS:

Armageddon It by Def Leppard
Rob starts off the staff picks with the sixth single from the multi-platinum album, "Hysteria." High School Student and Fan of the Show, Christian, assists with his thoughts on the band. By the time this song hit number 3 on the US charts, the album had been out for well over a year. The lyrics are a play on words - “Hey, but are you gettin' it? Armageddon it.”

Desire by U2
Julie's staff pick has a blues feel and a Bo Diddley beat. The song is both a critique of the glitzy televangelist making money off his followers, and the ambition and glitz surrounding a successful rock band. It won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1989.

I'm Sorry by Hothouse Flowers
Bruce features a long lost hit from a Dublin group that combines Irish music with an eclectic mix of soul, gospel, and rock influences. You know, we all have times when we're "sitting back on our deep pile reclining chair" thinking about our lives and “looking over our misdemeanors, misgivings, misfortunes, and Miss Whatever her name is," and say "I'm sorry.”

Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
Steve closes out the staff picks this week. INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence wrote the lyrics that describe a couple with an...

Next Episode

Christmas Songs that Rock Part VII!

What the Riff!?! delves once again into the great (and not so great) Christmas songs to add a little cheer as you rock around the Christmas tree this year. WSB Radio host Eric Von Haessler joins us for the fun!

“The Holly and the Ivy” by Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson's fourth solo album came out in 1985, and was a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and original material. This is a traditional British folk Christmas carol. Though it can't be traced any further back than the 1800's, the association between holly and Christmas dates back to medieval times.

“Please Come Home for Christmas” by the Eagles
Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and the rest of the Eagles put out this popular sad Christmas track in 1978, though it was a cover originally performed by blues pianist Charles Brown in 1960, and co-written by Brown and Gene Redd.

“The First Noel” by Crash Test Dummies
Front man Brad Roberts puts his distinctive bass voice to work on this traditional Christmas tune. This carol originated in Cornwall, England and dates back to at least the early 1800's, using the French "Noel" as a synonym for the Christmas season

“The 12 Days of Christmas” by Straight, No Chaser
This acapella group from Indiana University puts some comedic musicianship to work on this Christmas round. We know you'll like it, sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus from the Serengeti.

“Nut Rocker” by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
ELP puts a prog rock spin on the classic Nutcracker Suite. Russian composer Tchaikovsky wrote the original Nutcracker as a two-act ballet in 1892, and is a fantasy taking place at the foot of a Christmas tree.

“Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
This original song was penned by Tom Petty on a ukulele in 1992. It was used in the motion picture "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," and also appeared in "Jingle All the Way." Jeff Lynne co-produced the song, played bells, bass, timpani, sang background vocals, and wishes for a Chuck Berry Songbook in the song.

“The Christmas Song” by Weezer
This is not the one you're familiar with. The more famous "The Christmas Song" was first performed by the Nat King Cole trio in 1946. Weezer did this introspective original song with the same name in 2000 on a fan club Christmas LP.

“Minnie and Santa” by Cyndi Lauper
Lauper released this light hearted Christmas song in 1998 which tells of a fling that Minnie (not the mouse!) had with old Kris Kringle. This may sound like a cover of a classic song, but it is an original written by Lauper and Jan Pulsford.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra
You can't go wrong with Old Blue Eyes and a crooner Christmas classic. This song originated in 1943 and was in the musical "Meet Me in St. Louis," where it was sung by Judy Garland.

“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/We Three Kings” by Barenaked Ladies
This Christmas medley also features fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Sara McLachlan joining in with the Barenaked Ladies.

“Listen, The Snow is Falling” by Yoko Ono & the Plastic Ono Band
Hear us out - this is an Ono piece that is actually quite good! It was released in 1971 as the B-side to the better known "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," sung by John Lennon.

“If It Doesn't Snow On Christmas” by Joe Pesci
Chasing Macaulay Culkin isn't the only association Pesci has with Christmas. He put this cover of an old Gene Autry song out on his 1998 album "Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You."

(and there might be a bonus ending related to the Beatles...)

We at What the Riff?!? wish every one a blessed and Merry Christmas!

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