Willpower was really designed to be
Jack Bruce's Crossroads -- it followed
Clapton's monumental box by a year, had similar artwork, a similar approach that blended selections from throughout his various projects, and the same remastering/production team. Thing is,
Bruce didn't have the commercial success of
Clapton, nor did he have the same sizable following (although his fans were indeed devoted), and critics just sorta gave up paying attention around 1970, so there wasn't much of an audience for
Willpower upon its release in 1989. Nevertheless, it's a pretty terrific summary of
Bruce's career, never staying too long in one particular period (even the selections from
Cream lack such heavy hitters as "Sunshine of Your Love" or "I Feel Free"), and encapsulating how unpredictable and adventurous
Bruce's career has been. This is not heavy on hits, even if it has such signature songs as "White Room," "Theme for an Imaginary Western," "Never Tell Your Mother She's Out of Tune," "How's Tricks," and "As You Said," because
Bruce never had that many hits, even radio hits. But it does provide a through, representative introduction. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine