CREAM WHIPPED THEM ALL

Cream are the best band in the world.

I've just reached this conclusion, so if you've known it for a while, forgive me. But I saw their May 2005 Royal Albert Hall concerts on TV last night, and its the first time I have seen them. I am too young for 1968, and had debated going in May, but balked at the £140 per ticket. With two tickets, travel and so on we were looking at £300 plus, and although I am a Clapton devotee, that's a lot for a band I knew more about by reputation and a "best of" CD. But now I regret it: the money would not be missed any more, and my memories would last for ever.

So I sat and watched in awe last night: in awe of their individual musicianship, in awe of the way they seemed to be tied by an unseen bond, in awe of the sheer musicality of the whole. Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton were flawless. I do admit to some problems with Ginger Baker, on the slower songs, but on the classics he too was peerless; White Room, Crossroads and Sunshine Of Your Love were made for his style. Even his drum solo a watchable delight. And he was outstanding on Rollin' and Tumblin'. In fact the only thing that marred it for me was the abysmal TV direction. Hang your head Mr Martin Atkins. If you directed or edited the final cut on the DVD I'll have to think seriously before buying it at £18 or more: out of focus shots of walls and floors and non-essential goofy audience members are not my idea of a real representation of the event. It also lacked atmosphere, but maybe that's the ROH and the average age of the audience - Ginger Baker is 66.

Jack Bruce was in fine voice, wearing his 62 years lightly, and his bass playing is as inspirational as ever, but you have to look at 63 year old Clapton. He commands your attention, and the salvoes of notes that pour from his guitar are just breathtaking. The standards of musicianship are something that more recent bands can only aspire to. And when you think that this was all created in 1966,67 and 68. They created something new, broke the mould and straight away put the bar so high that no one can get near it. And now 37 years later they made it look effortless, belying the hardwork that they must have put into their shows.

And now I discover that they are to play in New York in a fortnight. How lucky are you if you have a ticket? Only lucky enough to be going to see the best band in the world.