Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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The album was recorded towards the end of 1964 in-between the release of the band's two albums. Jack Bruce had left by the time the second album was available so presumably it was not long after this gig.
The album opens with the powerful Wade in the Water. This is a taste of what is to come later in the gig. Released as the b-side to the second single Tammy, the instrumental Wade in the Water is far more representative of the band. The track acts as a good introduction, showcasing the different instruments. Listen out for the amazing bass guitar solo in Big Boss Man. This sounds like a guitar solo but bear in mind that Jack Bruce is playing bass.
Early in the Morning is introduced as a Ginger Baker song but, like Wade in the Water it is a traditional song that has been arranged by the group and again it is an instrumental. Person to Person Blues features Graham Bond on vocals.
The instrumentals continue with Spanish Blues. Presumably this has a Moorish influence as the track sounds more Middle Eastern than Spanish!
Train Time will be familiar to Cream fans. This is noted as a group composition although Cream's BBC Sessions credits it to Jack Bruce. The track features a superb harmonica performance by Bruce.
The final track is the Ray Charles standard What'd I Say.

Track Listing

1. Wade in the Water
2. Big Boss Man
3. Early in the Morning
4. Person to Person Blues
5. Spanish Blues
6. Introduction by Dick Jordan
7. The First Time I Met the Blues
8. Stormy Monday
9. Train Time
10. What'd I Say