Cream's Jack Bruce - A Look at His Autobiography "Composing Himself"

Legendary bassist, vocalist, and multi instrumentalistprovide an honest and often gut wrenching
Jack Bruce is the subject of a new autobiography,perspective of Bruce's life and career. Like many high
"Composing Himself". Best known for his founding roleprofile musicians, he struggled with the bounty of
in the legendary power trio Cream, this book is asuccess, turning to drugs as a crutch.
must read for anyone interested in music. Here'sWith his career basically in shambles a short ten
why...years after Cream's break up, the book details his
Jack Bruce: An Overviewlong journey back to physical and emotional health,
Jack Bruce is probably best known for his integraland relevancy within the music business. His many
role in the legendary power trio band Cream. Andmusical partnerships are covered in fascinating detail,
yet, his story doesn't start or stop with thatespecially the aborted early 1970's super group,
influential group.West, Bruce, and Laing. Thrown together by music
By all accounts a brilliant musician, and by someindustry executives hoping for a big pay day, the
accounts a musical genius, Jack Bruce was a childband imploded under the weight of its own
prodigy and an accomplished cello player by the timeexpectations, nearly ruining the three members in the
he reached his teens. He grew restless even in theprocess.
most prestigious Scottish music schools and soonFor the most part, the narrative keeps Bruce's family
gravitated toward the budding jazz, rock, and blueslife at arms length, other than to underscore their
scene of early 1960's Great Britain.importance and positive influence in his life. Bruce, an
It was there he crossed paths with and ultimatelyextraordinarily private man, has never sought rock
teamed up with drummer Ginger Baker and guitariststar adulation. As the book recounts, of more
Eric Clapton to form Cream, a musical tour de forceimportance is his desire to pursue inner satisfaction
that still influences and resonates to this day.via his music, commercially successful or not.
Although Cream's initial shelf life lasted less than threeHis recent reunion with Cream is detailed, both with
years, the world class musicianship of the threepoignant humor and wistful recollections. Long known
members spawned countless imitators and legions offor their combative relationship, the complicated
admirers.interplay between Bruce and Ginger Baker is dealt
After the band's 1968 break up, Bruce went on towith respectfully, but with the gloves off. In what
forge a colorful music career, careening from hardEric Clapton calls a sibling rivalry, Bruce and Baker
rock to blues to jazz and all points in between. Hehave deep mutual respect but still do not see eye to
has stayed true to his musical vision, whether or noteye, almost 50 years after they first played
it meant commercial success, and this is why histogether.
story is a must read for all aspiring musicians and fansSummary
of great music.One need not be a fan of Cream, or even Jack
The Autobiography: Composing HimselfBruce, to enjoy his autobiography, Composing
The Jack Bruce autobiography, Composing Himself, isHimself. It is an honest chronicle of a man who lives
aptly written and narrated by Harry Shapiro, anfor his music, a man who almost deliberately shunned
accomplished author who has known his subject atthe path of commercial success to stay true to
arms length for decades. The forward is brilliantlyhimself and his vision.
written by Bruce's Cream band mate, Eric Clapton,Further, the book is a soul baring study in
who offers a glimpse of Bruce's talents from anrelationships; what should have been done, and what
insiders perspective.should have been said. It is a story of sadness, a
Many other peers, friends, and family membersstory of triumph, but most of all a story of survival.