Creedence Clearwater Revival 40th Anniversary Album Reviews
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Creedence Clearwater Revival has just re-released their first six albums to mark the band's 40th anniversary. All of the albums have been digitally remastered and contain an array of rarities: B-sides, unreleased studio and live material, even a summit between the band and Booker T & the Mgs. Some of these extras are phenomenal, specifically a potent and emotional live rendition of "Fortunate Son". Below are brief reviews of three of my personal favorite CCR albums which include Bayou Country , Willy and the Poor Boy's , and Cosmo's Factory .
Bayou Country leaves off where their debut album started. It has a darker and swampier tone than albums that would be released in the future. Bayou Country is the true introduction of what Fogerty's song writing abilities would become. Unlike their debut self titled album, Bayou Country's finest moments are originals and not covers. "Proud Mary" and "Born on the Bayou" are some of CCR's finest moments and the album is a stepping stone for what would become. The lyrics, vocals, drums and guitar all have some nasty bite.Grade: A-
Willy and the Poor Boy's is the moment we see CCR lightning up their tone and it is completely evident with the opening fun hearted "Down on the Corner". Fogerty's song writing really shines on this album with countless classics like the before mentioned "Down on the Corner", "It Came out of the Sky", "Effigy", and arguably the greatest protest song of all time-- "Fortunate Son". Willy and the Poor Boy's is a more accesible album for most when compared to their earlier work, and while it doesn't necessarily make it superior, it's just as strong in its own right.
Willy and the Poor Boy's is the moment we see CCR lightning up their tone and it is completely evident with the opening fun hearted "Down on the Corner". Fogerty's song writing really shines on this album with countless classics like the before mentioned "Down on the Corner", "It Came out of the Sky", "Effigy", and arguably the greatest protest song of all time-- "Fortunate Son". Willy and the Poor Boy's is a more accesible album for most when compared to their earlier work, and while it doesn't necessarily make it superior, it's just as strong in its own right.Grade: A-
Cosmo's Factory is CCR's best selling album to date and deservingly so. From beginning to end it's filled with some of the best songs of the decade. It displays the very best of Fogerty's song writing and once again shows their ability to produce covers that go above and beyond their original counterparts. Cosmo's Factory was the peak for CCR and unfortunately their success would dwindle thereafter, but from their debut to Como's Factory they were constantly improving and building to create the most definitive swamp rock anyone had ever heard. The jam sessions are extremely tight-"Ramble Tamble" and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine", the melodies are stronger than ever-"Lookin' Out My Back Door" and "Up Around the Bend", and even the slower moments truly hit home-"Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Long as I Can See the Light". Cosmo's Factory was a culmination of everything they had done previously and it is a masterpiece in every right.Grade: A
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