When I was young, "Wheels of Fire" had a legendary, even mythical status.

It was discussed among fans so much that, as a kid, I knew everything about it before I even saw an actual copy.

I knew the facts, like that it has both studio and live LPs, and the details (Bruce harmonica solo!) about it long before I heard the opening of "White Room".

And when I finally heard it, it was everything I thought it would be, particularly the live LP.

But that's not a surprise, really. Cream was a live band, after all.

Yes, they did write great songs. They sounded amazing on record, too.

But when they took their music on stage... Oh man!

So, you can imagine my excitement when I saw the recent "Wheels of Fire" box set on a record store shelf.

I didn't have much time to check it out, but I did flick the box over to see whether any live recordings were included, aside from the main album's four.

There were. YAY!

But something told me to hold off, and I am glad I listened to that voice.

Because once I checked the contents more carefully... let's just say I was disappointed, even though the word barely even begins to describe my feelings.

There is not a single unreleased live track on it!

Not even one.

“N.S.U.” appeared on Live Cream, originally released in 1970 and widely available, also in hi-res. So do "Sleepy Time Time", "Rollin' and Tumblin'", and "Sweet Wine".

“Tales of Brave Ulysses” is from Live Cream Volume II (1972, also widely available, in hi-res, too). "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Steppin' Out" have been lifted from the same album.

“We’re Going Wrong” was issued on the three-LP RSD live set in April 2026.

And that's it... That's all live Cream we're getting in the new box set.

Now, I appreciate one might think that you're getting all those albums for the price of a single (not overly expensive, I have to admit) box set.

But you don't. Both Live Cream and Cream Live II include more music! Only some songs have been lifted off them for inclusion here.

We do get some studio stuff, though. But to be fair, I am not overly interested in the "phase corrected" version of the album, or some mono versions, etc.

Cream were great in the studio, spectacular live. That's what I want more of.

I suppose Bill Levenson, the album's producer, deserves some sympathy, though. He might not have that much to work with.

From what I gathered, the original multitracks for Winterland concerts have been lost in the Atlantic 1978 tape fire.

I've found an interview with him, where he confirmed this:

"It would have been great if we could have gone back and captured all the multis and remixed everything into surround sound and to introduce complete concerts, but because they were lost in the Atlantic fire in 1978, that was not an option."

However, in the same interview, he confirmed that they do have one multitrack for one unused recording from those shows, another version of "Toad". Why not include it?

Apparently, they also have recordings from Detroit Ballroom (1967) (multitracks confirmed by Levenson) and Stockholm 1967 (captured by Swedish Radio and broadcasted).

I admit that they predate "Wheels of Fire", but wouldn't it be better to have them rather than the same stuff again?

And there are several known audience recordings:

• Klooks Kleek, London, 15 November 1966
• Various 1967 US concerts
• Some 1968 dates also circulate
• Dallas and other farewell-tour appearances

Yes, these are bootleg recordings. But let's face it; Cream wouldn't be the first band to include audience recordings on box sets (for example, Deep Purple - Machine Head box set [includes the April 1971 audience recording,], Pink Floyd did the same on the recent Wish You Were Here [The 26 April 1975 Los Angeles Sports Arena concert, captured from the audience by bootlegger Mike Millard]).

And who knows, perhaps with some professional mastering, they could sound acceptable, or even good?

One last comment. I do appreciate that the reason for this box set might have been Universal finally acquiring seven Felix Pappalardi reference reels containing the lost mono mixes, rough mixes and alternate material.

But perhaps, given what "Wheels of Fire" is, a showcase of Cream in studio and live, it would have been better to release those separately, rather than as a box set celebrating the album?

King Crimson do it so well with their Elemental Mixes, released separately for various albums.

I don't buy them. I am not interested. But their existence doesn't irk me at all.

But this box set... well...