hennemusic

There’s a new film about Cream drummer Ginger Baker on the horizon.

“Beware Of Mr. Baker” is the work of writer/producer Jay Bulger, who spent three months living with the rock legend in South Africa where Ginger has spent the previous decade living in seclusion.

The visit resulted in a Rolling Stone piece, “In Search of Ginger Baker” - the article and the numerous hours of interviews Jay captured on film became the premise for the documentary, and in the spring of 2010, Jay returned to South Africa with a small crew to finish making the film.

Baker’s legendary status as drummer for Cream and Blind Faith is backed up on film by stories from his ex-wives, children, and many of the greatest living musicians that worked with Ginger, including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, Mickey Hart, Carlos Santana, Max Weinberg, Chad Smith, Femi Kuti, Neal Peart, Simon Kirke, Marky Ramone and many more.

The drummer calls South Africa home, a place where he lives inside a fortified compound with his 29-year-old internet bride and 39 polo ponies.

Chain smoking and ingesting copious amounts of morphine while sitting in his leather recliner, the 73-year-old reflects back on his life as we concurrently witness his current law suits, local disputes, and yet another chapter in his path of destruction. Unfortunately, Ginger’s ginger hair has faded, and we wonder if he is physically capable of saving himself by playing the instrument that has defined him. In his own words, “God is punishing me for my past wickedness by keeping me alive and in as much pain as he can. I wasn’t planning on living this long!”

In true Ginger Baker fashion, 3 years into shooting the film, after squandering yet another fortune, Baker triumphantly returns to the stage; as he went on a 30 date sold out European tour, the producers were there to capture it on film for posterity.

“Beware Of Mr. Baker” will be screened several times at SXSW in Austin starting March 10.

Check out more about the film at bewareofmrbaker.com

Cream