White Room
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"White Room", written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown, is a single by Cream from their 1968 album Wheels of Fire.
After bassist Jack Bruce wrote the guitar pieces, Cream's lyricist, poet Pete Brown, grouped colorful four-syllable phrases, loosely organised around images of waiting in an English train station influenced by the drugs he was taking. The combination is often considered one of the shining moments in British psychedelia. "White Room" is further noted for its unusual time signature of 5/4 in the introduction and bridge, with triplets played on tympani by Ginger Baker, his thunderous bass drum part also lacing the verses. Finally, "White Room" is notable for showcasing guitarist Eric Clapton's best known use of the wah-wah pedal (possibly aside from the brilliant "Tales of Brave Ulysses") in the bridge and extended solo.
Along with "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Crossroads", White Room is one of Cream's most notable songs, reaching number 6 on the U.S. pop charts.
"White Room" was placed at #367 on the 2004 List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"White Room" has been covered by the following artists:
- Joel Grey
- Frank Gambale (in a jazz fusion style)
- The Cache Valley Drifters
- Iron Butterfly
- Pat Travers on the album "Power Trio"
- Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (with Jack Bruce, and two or three drummers doing the triplets in unison)
- Helloween
- Demons & Wizards
- the Bobs
- Hugh Cornwell and Robert Williams on the album Nosferatu.
- Vassar Clements and an all star lineup on the album Full Circle
- BBM
- The song was performed by Eric Clapton in the Philadelphia leg of the live aid concert in 1985 with Phil Collins playing drums
- The Montazh (as a concert staple)
- Eric Clapton performed it live on his recorded 24 Nights concert.
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