Kofi Baker’s Cream Faith is a Fantastic Legacy
Making good on his promise to his father
Kofi Baker’s Cream Faith: The Music of Cream and Blind Faith routed to Milwaukee’s Shank Hall, performing to an almost sold-out audience. Kofi is the only son of the late Ginger Baker and he most certainly is his father’s son when it comes to playing drums.
Kofi has quite a friendly and charming personality and he was sure to explain to us how he promised Ginger, during Ginger’s final days, that he will keep his music alive. This is also why it’s wrong to think of Kofi and his band simply as a tribute or cover band.
Watching Kofi play drums with incredible heartfelt intensity, along with sharing stories of growing up as Ginger’s son, are further proof this is about the Ginger Baker legacy.
One of the stories that I haven’t been able to forget pertains to Kofi finding tapes (which were like masters) and a recorder in the attic of the house when he was a young boy. Kofi explained how and why he did not have much supervision, which gave him the opportunity to learn how to use the recorder and record over the tapes. It wasn’t until years later, when the Baker’s really needed money, that his mother suggested getting the Blind Faith tapes from the attic. Kofi had to explain that those Blind Faith tapes were no longer Blind Faith because he recorded over them.
The Band
Kofi (drums and vocals), along with Scott Tipping (guitar and vocals), and Kris Lohn (bass and vocals) were so well received by an audience who were clearly Cream and Blind Faith who knew the lyrics, the guitar work, and the drums to every song performed. So many audience members were grinning ear to ear while rocking out to what was the most Cream/Blind Faith sound we will ever hear as only a few ever saw the original Cream.
Do not miss Kofi Baker’s Cream Faith tour whenever they route to your area, especially if you dig the music from Cream and Blind Faith.
The Venue
Shank Hall is named after “This Is Spinal Tap,” which opened in 1989 and is located on the East Side of Milwaukee on Farwell. Once inside you can see the venue walls are covered in framed autograph photos from musicians who have performed there over the years. This venue has also won several Wisconsin Area Music Awards for Best Live Venue. There is, of course, a well-stocked bar and pub seating that can be easily converted to a standing room only, with a capacity of 300.
Set List
1. I’m So Glad (Cream)
2. Politician (Cream)
3. Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith)
4. SWLABR (Cream)
5. Pressed Rat and Warthog (Cream)
6. Badge (Cream)
7. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream)
8. Toad (Cream)
9. Do What You Like (Blind Faith)/Toad (Cream)
10. White Room (Cream)
11. Well All Right (Cream)
12. Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith)
13. World of Pain (Cream)
14. Outside My Window (Cream)
15. Deserted Cities of the Heart (Cream)16. Crossroads (Robert Johnson/Cream)
Encore
17. Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix)
Kofi also told us Jimi Hendrix was not only a fan of his father, they were going to record an album together but unfortunately, Jimi passed away before that could be accomplished. This story made the encore that much more meaningful for everyone, especially those of us with imaginations who could almost perfectly picture Ginger and Jimi playing together.
Tour
https://kofibaker.com/shows/
Click Here For the Full Gallery of the Evening!
If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
Socials
https://kofibaker.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kofi.s.baker
