Live Cream Volume II cover

Live Cream Volume II

Cream · 1972

41 min · 6 tracks · hard rock

A fiery blend of blues and psychedelic rock ignites the stage with electric improvisation and powerful musicianship.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Deserted Cities of the Heart Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    White Room — The track exemplifies Cream's signature sound with its haunting lyrics and driving rhythm, showcasing Eric Clapton's iconic guitar work at its peak.
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    Sunshine of Your Love — This song features an unforgettable riff and displays the band's chemistry, blending heavy blues with psychedelic elements to create an enduring classic.
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    Tales of Brave Ulysses — With its intricate guitar solos and poetic lyrics, this track highlights the band's experimental side while still delivering a powerful live experience.
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    Politician — The politically charged lyrics combined with explosive musical interplay illustrate Cream's ability to merge commentary with their dynamic sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album showcases powerful live performances with extended jams that highlight Cream's distinct sound.

What we noticed

  • Each track is significantly longer than their studio counterparts, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for elaborate solos and dynamic shifts.
  • The performance captures a raw energy, with Eric Clapton's guitar work often leading the charge, while Jack Bruce's bass and Ginger Baker's drums provide a driving rhythm.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • explosive live energy bursts
  • wave-like dynamic performance flow
  • extended jams for deep immersion
  • bluesy riffs with psychedelic twists

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise, radio-friendly tracks
  • avoid lengthy improvisational pieces

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Captures the band's energy during their final phase, showcasing their live prowess.
Career context
Released in 1972, Live Cream Volume II captures Cream during their final phase as a band, shortly before their breakup later that year. This album follows their critically acclaimed studio work, including Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire, showcasing their live prowess after they had established themselves as pioneers of the rock genre.

Tracklist

  • 1 Deserted Cities of the Heart Start here 4:34
  • 2 White Room 5:41
  • 3 Politician 5:07
  • 4 Tales of Brave Ulysses 4:46
  • 5 Sunshine of Your Love 7:26
  • 6 Steppin’ Out 13:39

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata