Live Review: The Music Of Cream

What's the next best thing to seeing psychedelic '60s supergroup Cream live? Seeing their bloodlines perform a tribute show in honour of the band's 50th Anniversary.

Malcolm Bruce (son of Jack), Kofi Baker (son of Ginger) and Will Johns (nephew of Eric Clapton) — all of whom have their own careers in blues and jazz — joined forces last night to recreate the magic of the British power trio.

But make no mistake; The Music Of Cream were not trying to emulate their free-spirited forefathers. There were no tie-dye shirts or fringed jackets (except for in the nostalgic grey-haired crowd), and there were more awkward silences than gloating banter between songs (we wanted to hear more about what it was like growing up with rock gods for dads!), proving that this was purely about celebrating the legendary music.

Helping them pay tribute to Cream's four-album rock reign was very special guest vocalist Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, and masterful American blues guitarist Robben Ford. Together they shook the State Theatre with electrifying covers of timeless classics like Crossroads, White Room, Badge, Strange Brew, and of course, Sunshine Of Your Love.

Special props must go to Glenn Hughes aka the proclaimed "Voice of Rock". His high-powered stage presence, rock'n'roll star get-up and inimitable vocals were a real highlight of the show, as were his memories of Cream and praise for Malcolm, Kofi and Will for coming together. "Don't go!" the crowd would wail each time he exited the stage for intervals.

All musicians got their time in the spotlight however, taking turns on lead vocals for various tracks, jamming and taking the audience on an instrumental odyssey. Kofi Baker would make his father proud, busting out an impressive ten-minute drum solo that raised the roof.

It's hard to believe that it's been 50 years since Cream's explosive debut, but this glorified tribute band sure did them justice and made fans feel the fire and the freedom of 1967.