Jack Bruce: Songs For A Tailor (1969)

Jack Bruce's 1969 solo debut is worthy of the "classic album" tag. It's a long way from Cream, although Jack's aggression and authority shines through just as powerful. His partnership with lyricist Pete Brown was kept intact for this album even after Cream’s demise. Pete Brown's lyrics, whose writing partnership with Bruce provided some of Cream's most memorable material.

There is an underlying Cream feel on this album though but it comes only from the songwriting. Jack did all he could to get a very different sound with this recording. It's almost like Bruce tried to create his own personal musical genre. What do you get when you mix rock, jazz, folk and the psychedelic sixties ? Songs For A Tailor.

The only draw back to this album for some is in it's production. Legendary bassist and producer Felix Pappalardi handled the production on this recording and his work here has been referred to as muddy, dry and even mediocre by some listeners. I for one believe the production fits the material very well and Pappalardi has done a masterful job.

Don't overlook this album. Give it a good listen, you'll be glad you did.

Track Listing

1. Never Tell Your Mother She's Out of Tune - 3:41
   
2. Theme from an Imaginary Western - 3:30
   
3. Tickets to Waterfalls - 3:01
4. Weird of Hermiston - 2:23
5. Rope Ladder to the Moon - 2:53
6. Ministry of Bag - 2:49
7. He the Richmond - 3:36
8. Boston Ball Game 1967 - 1:45
9. To Isengard - 5:28
10. Clearout - 2:35
    

Personnel
Jack Bruce - Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Cello
George Harrison - Guitar
Chris Spedding - Guitar
L'Angelo Misterioso - Guitar
Jon Hiseman - Drums
John Marshall - Drums
Harry Beckett - Horns
Henry Lowther - Horns
John Mumford - Horns, Drums
Dick Hackstall-Smith - Saxophone
Art Themen - Saxophone
Felix Pappalardi - Vocals, Percussion

Andy Johns - Engineer
Felix Pappalardi - Producer