Cream: Royal Albert Hall

After a 37 year absence Cream reformed in May 2005 for a series of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, the stage of their last UK performance. As befitting a trio whose focus was always squarely on the music, they emerge to no fanfare, briefly test their instruments and launch into the perfectly apt “I’m So Glad.” Drawing from each of their four studio albums, they revisit the songs for their inherent resonance and as a springboard for their instrumental interplay. There’s no need to update the material, as it all still fits each of the three men like a thousand dollar suit. Bruce’s vocals still soar with operatic bearing, Clapton sounds energized, freed from the production cushioning on his own recordings, and Baker, now in his mid-sixties, can still dazzle with his solo turn on “Toad.”