John Fogerty Rides Again With Blue Ridge Rangers

4 Sep 09

I’ve been a Creedence Clearwater Revival fan since I found a Greatest Hits album in my mother’s record collection long ago. I always hated the idea of them disbanding in turmoil in 1972. Singer, guitarist and primary songwriter John Fogerty wouldn’t even sing those amazing swampy tunes for about 25 years. Instead, he started working under the name the Blue Ridge Rangers and released an album of covers in 1973, playing all the instruments himself. He decided that if he was ever going to do another Rangers album, he would be “getting some real guys to play on it.” For The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again, saying that he has done that is an understatement.

The album features Fogerty’s ageless and raspy voice, along with session vets Kenny Aronoff on drums, Greg Leisz on pedal steel, Dennis Crouch on bass, Buddy Miller on guitar and about eight other aces offering fiddle, mandolin, Dobro and background vocals. As if that wasn’t enough, Fogerty enlisted some familiar friends for guest appearances. Bruce Springsteen joins in on the Everly Brothers‘ “When Will I Be Loved” and the Eagles‘ Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit both sing on Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party,” a tune that Fogerty says he relates to very much.

The song choices are another interesting point. Only one is a Fogerty original, “Change in the Weather,” and it’s right in the CCR vein. The others were chosen this way — “If I’m allowed to get up with a bunch of people in a country bar somewhere, these are the songs I’ll do,” he said. Yes, John, you are allowed, and please do. He has also said that the only real link between them is that they are all songs he loves, but the album comes out with a definite country flavor. There’s John Prine’s “Paradise,” John Denver’s “Back Home Again” and intoxicating versions of Buck Owens‘ “I Don’t Care (Just as Long as You Love Me)” and Ray Price’s “I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me).” They will challenge the originals for your love. Check out this interview from the L.A. Times to learn a little more about the project. It’s still not CCR, but after 36 years, Fogerty’s definitely back on top of his game.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Posted By: Fan Country / Shows / Popularity: 1% [?]

Related posts:

1. John Fogerty Rides Again With Blue Ridge Rangers

   I’ve been a Creedence Clearwater Revival fan since I found...

2. Fogerty completes Blue Ridge Rangers CD

   Post-production work on the “John Fogerty: The Blue Ridge Rangers...

3. John Fogerty Rides Again … With Mystery Guest

   John Fogerty’s The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again is one...

4. John Fogerty Revives CCR Hits at Ryman Show

   So many of John Fogerty’s songs are like time machines....

5. John Fogerty Revives CCR Hits at Ryman Show

   So many of John Fogerty’s songs are like time machines....