TWO FOR THE POLITICIANS

Sometimes, you have to return to the titans, the behemoths, the Godzillas of Classic Rock to find a fighting rebel spirit when fey indie pop won't get the job done. Here are two numbers for the politicians.



The first--appropriately enough--is "Politician" performed by supergroup Cream at Royal Albert Hall, London, 1968. Yup, that's Eric Clapton, along with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

The second clip, equally classic and appropriate, is "Won't Get Fooled Again" performed by the Who. Roger Daltrey swings the Divine Hammer, and guitar player Pete Townshend dances a little jig between windmilling power chords.

HEAVY CREAM

Cream stormed the reality studios with heavy blues and psychedelic rock, killer guitar playing and a crack rhythm section. Jack Bruce played bass and sang, Ginger Baker pounded the skins, and of course Eric Clapton did his best on Fender Stratocaster. He also sang. This is well before Clapton looked like a respectable accountant, back when an Afghan vest and a paisley shirt were practically de rigueur. (Don't worry, youngsters, the styles of today will also look weird after a few years). The year is 1968. Clapton has been recording with the Beatles , who were putting together the White Album. That lead guitar on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is Clapton. This is "Crossroads," by Robert Johnson.

One of only two surviving photographs of the great Robert Johnson.