Clem Clempson - In The Public Interest

To The Classic Top

Cream rises [and there’s a pun to rise within the metaphor later on] and this first ever solo outing from founding member of Bakerloo [and later Colosseum and Humble Pie], David ‘Clem’ Clempson, is just that in its classic presentation of rock and blues perfection. For those who recall, Bakerloo’s blues gem This Worried Feeling – gaining prominence on the Harvest label’s Picnic sampler of 1970 – features one of the greatest fuzzed-up and wah-wahed guitar solos ever. Ever. Sustained sumptuousness.

The tracks on this album are more mainstream modern rock, and exude class. There is gorgeous guitar on the instrumental fourth track Can’t We Try Again – a tranquil antithesis to the feedback-heavy brilliance of Clem’s Bakerloo classic: age does not wither but it becalms – and of course his guitar soloing throughout all tracks is exemplary. Second instrumental, eighth track Leopold’s Great Escape, jazzes things up a bit. The third, 7^th Blues, [that’s a load of numbers....] is again calmly sweet.

There are great guest vocalists: Maggie Bell on third Route 69, and Chris Farlowe on blues chug Who, whilst they both combine to contribute to Ray Charles’ I Don’t Need No Doctor.

Pete Brown, former Cream lyricist, also adds to the quality mix, with title track In The Public Interest reflecting Brown’s classic satirical insights.