Genre: rock
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Blind Faith
Company: ATCO
Catalog: SD
Year: 1969
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 2
GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $7.00
Genre: rock
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Blind Faith
Company: ATCO
Catalog: SD
Year: 1969
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $7.00
Combining the talents of former Cream members
Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Traffic's Stevie Winwood and Family guitarist
Ric Grech (see separate entries), the short lived Blind Faith stood as one
of the first corporate "super groups." Ironically, in spite of
it's talented lineup, the group survived less than a year, managing to
complete one world tour and one studio collection prior to its dissolution.
Having debuted before a crowd of 100,000 fans with a free concert in
London's Hyde Park (filmed but never released), the group was quickly signed
to Atlantic's ATCO subsidiary. Teamed with producer Jimmy Miller, the
quartet's self-titled debut was remarkable for its understatement. While
"Blind Faith" had more
than it's share of highlights, including Clapton's version of "In the
Presence of the Lord" and Winwood's extended "Had To Cry
Today", elsewhere the set was less consistent, ranging from merely
pleasant (a cover of Buddy Holly's "Well All Right") to pointless
(Baker's 15 minute plus "Do What You Like"). While the
performances were thoroughly professional (Winwood was particularly
impressive), the four principles frequently sounded tense and uncomfortable
in their surroundings. Inevitably the album attracted immense media
attention, ultimately topping the American charts. (Interestingly, the
collection's original cover art, showing an innocent looking, topless 11
year old girl holding a phallic shaped object, provoked a major controversy
in the States. ATCO quickly reissued the set with a more sedate group
photo.)
"Blind Faith" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Had To Cry Today
(Steve Winwood) - 8:49
2.) Can't Find My Way Home (Steve Winwood) - 3:17
3.) Well All Right (Petty - Buddy Holly - Allison - Maudlin) - 4:28
4.) Presence of the Lord (Eric Clapton) - 4:50
(side
2)
1.) Sea of Joy (Steve Winwood) - 5:22
2.) Do What You Like (Ginger Baker) - 15:20
Having slogged their way through a brief Scandinavian tour and an eight
week, 24 date American tour, tired and frustrated with the media hype, the
four principles subsequently elected to throw in the towel and go their
separate ways at the end of the year.
In 1972 RSO Records reissued the album (with the original cover art). The
collection promptly reentered the Billboard charts at #126.