Ah, the vinyl days, when even a scratched up hand-me-down copy of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Green River found it’s way to my turntable. Again and again. It’s probably impossible to live a life and not have one of CCRs songs hit your radio, stream, movie soundtrack, party or wherever. But it’s got that swampy cajun sound, probably less due to the actual music but more towards the subject matter, bayous and catfish. Or maybe just the album art. But you know it when you hear it.
Catching John Fogerty live in 2023 you learn a few things, some from an opening video. The riff from the Beatles’ “Day Tripper” was inspirational. Finding a strong lead that has a hook and writing a song around it is the formula. That pretty well defines the best of CCR. Secondly, Fogerty is (very proudly) touring for the first time as the owner of his songs.
But there’s other things, too. John Fogerty is Creedence. It kind of makes one feel sorry for the other members of that band, which included his brother. But it’s like Mark Knopfler to Dire Straits. You can change the players, but Fogerty is it by definition.
So how’s he doing at a youthful 78? Just fine. Mighty fine. You’re not going to be disappointed a bit. He plays about everything on any of CCRs greatest hits (notably sparing the audience from the indulgent “I Heard it From the Grapevine” but skipping a few classics such as “Suzie Q,” “I Put a Spell on You” and “Hey Tonight” ).
His voice is in great form. Not 40 years ago great, but he still has that pitch, that sound. There’s no mistaking it, and there’s no need for backup singers. The songs are his, and he is the songs. He’s backed by five musicians (including two of his sons who opened the evening with their band Hearty Har), but they’re the support for a one man band.
How about guitar? He takes his own leads, all of them except when he shares some solo space with one of his sons. He still plays harmonica. He can scamper across a wide stage to play to the audience. He’s an engaging performer and takes the audience where he wants them. He can bite through the lyrics of a song to make it as relevant today as it was back then (“Fortunate Son”). He can deliver extended trademark solos (“Run Through the Jungle,” “Fortunate Son”). He can do a metal tapping guitar lead as an intro (“Keep on Chooglin'”). He can take potshots at the neighbors and the resulting venue curfew. And he can cover a career of songs really fast, given that most are three minutes or less.
Also, he can remind you frequently that he owns his catalog, how much he loves his wife, and share stories about the return of his original CCR guitar which is a story that fans should probably catch while he’s on tour. Why not? You’re in for a great show.
For those who enjoy music trivia, CCR shockingly never had a #1 hit. They had five reach #2. Also, the band released six albums in just three years (1968-1970).
Setlist:
- Bad Moon Rising – Green River
- Up Around the Bend – Cosmo’s Factory
- Green River – Green River
- Born on the Bayou – Bayou Country
- Who’ll Stop the Rain – Cosmo’s Factory
- Lookin’ Out My Back Door – Cosmo’s Factory
- Rock and Roll Girls – Centerfield (solo release)
- Lodi – Green River
- Run Through the Jungle – Cosmo’s Factory
- Effigy – Down on the Corner
- Joy of My Life – Blue Moon Swamp (solo release)
- Keep on Chooglin’ – Bayou Country
- Have You Ever Seen the Rain? – Pendulum
- Centerfield – Centerfield (solo release)
- Down on the Corner – Willie and the Poor Boys
- The Old Man Down the Road – Centerfield (solo release)
- Fortunate Son – Willy and the Poor Boys
Encore:
- Travelin’ Band – Cosmo’s Factory
- Proud Mary – Bayou Country
- Reese Cann
- July 27, 2023
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