Paul McCartney attends a concert by Cream

SAVILLE REVIEW

After last week’s unfortunate non-happening at the Saville, aImost everything that happened this Sunday seemed to be in contrast. The show opened with Sands, a competent five-piece beat group with excellent vocal harmonies who leaned heavily on Tamla Motown for their material. Funnily enough, they coped with Four Tops and Martha & Vandellas songs quite well. The highlight of their act was a very amusing and imaginative percussive spree, which, coming unexpectedly, was delightful.

Edwin Starr held the audience in the palm of his hand — he was typically professional, managed to get the audience clapping along, and even singing along and was visually resplendent and exciting. The highlight of his act was “Stop Her On Sight”, which was very compulsive listening. His versions of “Sunny” and “Try A Little Tenderness” were overdone — but Mr Starr can count on an increased fan following from now on in Britain. He should be good to see in a club, and his backing group, the Kool Kombination were O.K.

The Cream were firstly musically brilliant, secondly very loud. They seemed slightly ill at ease, but despite the absence of any kind of visual act they came across very well. Jack Bruce’s harsh vocals and totally involved harmonica work matched Eric Clapton’s exciting guitar. But it was Ginger Baker who musically stole the show. His percussion work was brilliant, and he came up with one of the best drum solos I have ever heard. Their slightly discordant series of tunes seems to bring them very near the jazz field.

It’s certainly interesting though, to see the audience at the Saville looking up at the box in which Paul McCartney was sitting. I was surprised he didn’t give the royal wave to complete the picture.

From Record Mirror – February 11, 1967

Edwin Starr may top Saville

EDWIN STARR has been approached to top the bill at London’s Saville Theatre sometime in May. This follows his successful appearance at the theatre with the Cream last Sunday. In the audience to watch Sunday’s show were the Beatles, Pete Townshend, Pattie Boyd and Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend went to see Clapton at the Saville … Paul McCartney arrived at the show in an orange Mini.

From Melody Maker – February 11, 1967