Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939) is an English drummer, best known as the founder of the rock band Cream. Baker's work in the 1960s earned him praise as "rock's first superstar drummer", although his individual style melded a jazz background with his personal interest in African rhythms. Baker is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Cream and is widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time, recognised by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2008. He is a pioneer of drumming in genres like jazz fusion, heavy metal and world music.
Baker began playing drums at age 15, and later took lessons from Phil Seamen. In the 1960s, he joined Blues Incorporated, where he met bassist Jack Bruce. The two clashed often, but would be rhythm section partners again in The Graham Bond Organisation and Cream, the latter of which Baker co-founded with Eric Clapton in 1966. Cream achieved worldwide success but lasted just two years, in part due to Baker's and Bruce's volatile relationship. After briefly working with Clapton in Blind Faith and leading Ginger Baker's Air Force, Baker spent several years in the 1970s living and recording in Africa, often with Fela Kuti, in pursuit of his long-time interest in African music. Among Baker's other collaborations are his work with Gary Moore, Masters of Reality and Public Image Ltd, Atomic Rooster, Bill Laswell, jazz bassist Charlie Haden, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, and another personally led effort, Ginger Baker's Energy.
Ginger Baker's Air Force is the eponymous début album by Ginger Baker's Air Force, released in 1970 (see 1970 in music).
This album is a recording of a sold-out live show at the Royal Albert Hall, on 15 January 1970, with the original 11-piece line up. The gatefold LP cover was designed left-handed; i.e. the front cover artwork was on what traditionally would be considered the back and vice-versa.
The band released two albums, both in 1970: Ginger Baker's Air Force and Ginger Baker's Air Force 2. The second album involved substantially different personnel from the first, with Ginger Baker and Graham Bond being the primary constants between albums.
Ginger Baker's Air Force also played a set at Wembley Stadium on 19 April 1970, during the start of the World Cup Rally, which went from London to Mexico City.
This album was recorded in a studio, unlike the previous one, featuring a different lineup of the band, with Denny Laine, Harold McNair, Aliki Ashman, and Ric Grech as "Additional personnel". Graham Bond took lead vocal duties along with Ginger Baker, Diane Stewart and Catherine James. Previous lead vocalist Steve Winwood left the group to reform his jazz fusion band, Traffic.
The album cover was designed left-handed; i.e. with the front cover printed on what traditionally would be considered the back and vice-versa.
Side one"Da Da Man" (Harold McNair) – 7:16
Lead vocal by Jeanette Jacobs, organ solo by Stevie Winwood, guitar solo by Denny Laine, sax solo by Graham Bond.
"Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Ginger Baker) – 11:13
Lead vocals by Ginger Baker & Denny Laine.
Side two"Don't Care" (Baker, Steve Winwood) – 12:32
Lead vocals by Steve Winwood & Jeanette Jacobs.
"Toad" (Baker) – 12:59
Drum solos by Ginger Baker, Remi Kabaka & Phil Seamen.
Side three"Aiko Biaye" (Remi Kabaka, Teddy Osei) – 13:00
Lead Vocals by Graham Bond.
"Man of Constant Sorrow" (Traditional, arranged by Denny Laine) – 3:50
Lead Vocal by Denny Laine, bass guitar by Steve Winwood, violin by Ric Grech.
Side four"Do What You Like" (Baker) – 11:47
Lead vocal by Steve Winwood.
"Doin' It" (Baker/Grech) – 5:26
Wikipedi...
published: 08 Jun 2017
GINGER BAKER'S AIRFORCE - Tell Me a Story (Toady)
From a live Beat Club set in October 1970. Some brilliant afro drumming from THE man himself with the help of Speedy Acquaye on Congas.
published: 08 Jun 2012
Ginger Baker's Air Force 2 (1970)
"Let Me Ride" (Roebuck Staples) – 4:22
"Sweet Wine" (Ginger Baker, Janet Godfrey) – 3:34
"Do U No Hu Yor Phrenz R?" (Baker) – 5:40
"We Free Kings" (Baker) – 4:22
"I Don't Want to Go on Without You" (Bert Berns, Jerry Wexler) – 3:56
"Toady"[1] (Baker) – 9:45
"12 Gates of the City" (Graham Bond) – 4:05
Ginger Baker: drums, timpani, tubular bells, African drums, vocals
Ken Craddock: guitars, Hammond organ, piano, vocals
Colin Gibson: bass guitar
Graham Bond: alto saxophone, Hammond organ, piano, vocals
Steve Gregory: tenor saxophone, flutes
Bud Beadle: baritone, alto & tenor saxophones
Diane Stewart: vocals
Catherine James: vocals
Neemoi "Speedy" Acquaye: drums, percussion, African drums
Additional personnel
Denny Laine: guit...
published: 09 Feb 2017
Ginger Baker's Air Force - Early in the Morning
Live recording from the first album
published: 02 Dec 2012
Ginger Baker's Air Force Interludes (Rare) (1970)
A short 1970's Ginger Baker & Ginger Baker's Airforce footage.
Side one"Da Da Man" (Harold McNair) – 7:16
Lead vocal by Jeanette Jacobs, organ solo by Stevie Winwood, guitar solo by Denny Laine, sax solo by Graham Bond.
"Ea...
Side one"Da Da Man" (Harold McNair) – 7:16
Lead vocal by Jeanette Jacobs, organ solo by Stevie Winwood, guitar solo by Denny Laine, sax solo by Graham Bond.
"Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Ginger Baker) – 11:13
Lead vocals by Ginger Baker & Denny Laine.
Side two"Don't Care" (Baker, Steve Winwood) – 12:32
Lead vocals by Steve Winwood & Jeanette Jacobs.
"Toad" (Baker) – 12:59
Drum solos by Ginger Baker, Remi Kabaka & Phil Seamen.
Side three"Aiko Biaye" (Remi Kabaka, Teddy Osei) – 13:00
Lead Vocals by Graham Bond.
"Man of Constant Sorrow" (Traditional, arranged by Denny Laine) – 3:50
Lead Vocal by Denny Laine, bass guitar by Steve Winwood, violin by Ric Grech.
Side four"Do What You Like" (Baker) – 11:47
Lead vocal by Steve Winwood.
"Doin' It" (Baker/Grech) – 5:26
Wikipedia:
The band formed in late 1969 upon the disbandment of Blind Faith. The original lineup consisted of Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Jeanette Jacobs on vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood on tenor sax and flute, Graham Bond on alto sax, Harold McNair on tenor sax and flute, and Remi Kabaka on percussion. Their first live shows, at Birmingham Town Hall in 1969 and the Royal Albert Hall, in 1970, also included Jeanette Jacobs and Eleanor Barooshian (both former members of girl group The Cake).
Side one"Da Da Man" (Harold McNair) – 7:16
Lead vocal by Jeanette Jacobs, organ solo by Stevie Winwood, guitar solo by Denny Laine, sax solo by Graham Bond.
"Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Ginger Baker) – 11:13
Lead vocals by Ginger Baker & Denny Laine.
Side two"Don't Care" (Baker, Steve Winwood) – 12:32
Lead vocals by Steve Winwood & Jeanette Jacobs.
"Toad" (Baker) – 12:59
Drum solos by Ginger Baker, Remi Kabaka & Phil Seamen.
Side three"Aiko Biaye" (Remi Kabaka, Teddy Osei) – 13:00
Lead Vocals by Graham Bond.
"Man of Constant Sorrow" (Traditional, arranged by Denny Laine) – 3:50
Lead Vocal by Denny Laine, bass guitar by Steve Winwood, violin by Ric Grech.
Side four"Do What You Like" (Baker) – 11:47
Lead vocal by Steve Winwood.
"Doin' It" (Baker/Grech) – 5:26
Wikipedia:
The band formed in late 1969 upon the disbandment of Blind Faith. The original lineup consisted of Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Jeanette Jacobs on vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood on tenor sax and flute, Graham Bond on alto sax, Harold McNair on tenor sax and flute, and Remi Kabaka on percussion. Their first live shows, at Birmingham Town Hall in 1969 and the Royal Albert Hall, in 1970, also included Jeanette Jacobs and Eleanor Barooshian (both former members of girl group The Cake).
Side one"Da Da Man" (Harold McNair) – 7:16
Lead vocal by Jeanette Jacobs, organ solo by Stevie Winwood, guitar solo by Denny Laine, sax solo by Graham Bond.
"Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Ginger Baker) – 11:13
Lead vocals by Ginger Baker & Denny Laine.
Side two"Don't Care" (Baker, Steve Winwood) – 12:32
Lead vocals by Steve Winwood & Jeanette Jacobs.
"Toad" (Baker) – 12:59
Drum solos by Ginger Baker, Remi Kabaka & Phil Seamen.
Side three"Aiko Biaye" (Remi Kabaka, Teddy Osei) – 13:00
Lead Vocals by Graham Bond.
"Man of Constant Sorrow" (Traditional, arranged by Denny Laine) – 3:50
Lead Vocal by Denny Laine, bass guitar by Steve Winwood, violin by Ric Grech.
Side four"Do What You Like" (Baker) – 11:47
Lead vocal by Steve Winwood.
"Doin' It" (Baker/Grech) – 5:26
Wikipedia:
The band formed in late 1969 upon the disbandment of Blind Faith. The original lineup consisted of Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Jeanette Jacobs on vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood on tenor sax and flute, Graham Bond on alto sax, Harold McNair on tenor sax and flute, and Remi Kabaka on percussion. Their first live shows, at Birmingham Town Hall in 1969 and the Royal Albert Hall, in 1970, also included Jeanette Jacobs and Eleanor Barooshian (both former members of girl group The Cake).
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (born 19 August 1939) is an English drummer, best known as the founder of the rock band Cream. Baker's work in the 1960s earned him praise as "rock's first superstar drummer", although his individual style melded a jazz background with his personal interest in African rhythms. Baker is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Cream and is widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time, recognised by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2008. He is a pioneer of drumming in genres like jazz fusion, heavy metal and world music.
Baker began playing drums at age 15, and later took lessons from Phil Seamen. In the 1960s, he joined Blues Incorporated, where he met bassist Jack Bruce. The two clashed often, but would be rhythm section partners again in The Graham Bond Organisation and Cream, the latter of which Baker co-founded with Eric Clapton in 1966. Cream achieved worldwide success but lasted just two years, in part due to Baker's and Bruce's volatile relationship. After briefly working with Clapton in Blind Faith and leading Ginger Baker's Air Force, Baker spent several years in the 1970s living and recording in Africa, often with Fela Kuti, in pursuit of his long-time interest in African music. Among Baker's other collaborations are his work with Gary Moore, Masters of Reality and Public Image Ltd, Atomic Rooster, Bill Laswell, jazz bassist Charlie Haden, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, and another personally led effort, Ginger Baker's Energy.