A BLUES TRIBUTE TO CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL.

dereksmusicblog ♦ August 24, 2014 ♦ 1 Comment

A BLUES TRIBUTE TO CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL.

The latest instalment in Cleopatra Records’ Tribute To series is A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival. This is third instalment in the series released during 2014. The first instalment was A Psych Tribute To The Doors, which was released in March 2014. 

A Psych Tribute To The Doors featured bands like Elephant Stone, The Black Angels, Sons of Hippies, Dead Skeletons, VietNam and Geri X. A total of twelve bands covered Doors classics and hidden gems. Released to critical acclaim, A Psych Tribute To The Doors was a welcome release in an ever crowded compilation market. So much so, that A Psych Tribute To The Doors is, without doubt, one of my favourite compilations of 2014. I awaited the next instalment in the series eagerly. 

Thankfully, I didn’t have t wait long. Midnight Rider-A Tribute To The Allman Brothers was released to critical acclaim in June 2014. Again, it featured twelve tracks from The Allman Brothers’ illustrious back-catalogue. They were covered by a mixture well known and new names. This includes Pat Travers, Leon Russell, Molly Hatchett, The Artimus Pyle Band, Steve Morse, Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales and Eli Cook. Just like its predecessor, A Psych Tribute To The Doors, was one of the best tribute album money can buy. Having released two critically acclaimed compilations, Cleopatra Records return with A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival. Will A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival feature the same quality of music?

Just like the two previous volumes in the Cleopatra Records’ “Tribute To” series, A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival features twelve tracks from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s back-catalogue. They’re given a bluesy makeover by Mike Zito and Sonny Landreth, The Mynabirds, Blitzen Trapper, Spirit Family Reunion, Dead Man Winter, South Memphis Stiung Band and Trampled Under Foot. They cover twelve singles released between 1968 and 1972.

During this period, Creedence Clearwater Revival released seven albums. Quite simply, Creedence Clearwater Revival could do no wrong. Of the seven albums they released between Creedence Clearwater Revival in June 1968 and Mardi Gras in April 1972, commercial success was ever-present. Their least successful album was their 1972 swan-song Mardi Gras. It was certified gold. Previously, every album reedence Clearwater Revival turned to platinum. That’s why Creedence Clearwater Revival were one of the biggest selling bands of the late-sixties and early-seventies.

In America alone, Creedence Clearwater Revival sold over 13.5 million albums and two of their albums reached number one in the US Billboard 200 charts. John Fogerty’s unique brand of blues, psychedelia, Southern Rock and swamp rock won friends and influenced people. Forty-two years later, Creedence Clearwater Revival are still remembered as one of the best bands of the late-sixties and early-seventies. That’s why many modern bands have been influenced by Creedence Clearwater Revival and want to pay homage to them. Twelve of these bands pay homage to Creedence Clearwater Revival on A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Opening A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival is Mike Zito andSonny Landreth’s cover of the protest song Fortunate Son. It reached number fourteen in the US Billboard 100. Fortunate Son is a track from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s third album Willy and the Poor Boys. Released in November 1969, it reached number three in the US Billboard 200 and number twenty-eight in the US R&B charts. This resulted in Willy and the Poor Boys being certified double platinum. It’s given a makeover by Mike Zito and and Sonny Landreth. In their hands, Fortunate Son is transformed into a blistering, stomping fusion of blues and rock. 

The Mynabirds chose to cover Bad Moon Rising, which reached number two in the US Billboard charts in 1969. Bad Moon Rising was taken from Green River, which was released in August 1969. Green River reached number one in the US Billboard and number twenty-six in the US R&B charts. This resulted in Green River being certified triple-platinum. Here, The Mynabirds reinvent a stonewall classic, combining psychedelia and power pop. The result is a trippy take on a classic.

Another of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s classics is Proud Mary, which Blitzen Trapper cover. Back in 1969, it reached number in the US and number eight in the UK. It’s a track from Bayou Country, which was released in January 1969. Bayou Country reached number seven in the US Billboard 200 and number forty-one in the US R&B charts. This resulted in Bayou  County being certified double-platinum. One of the standout tracks was Proud Mary. Blitzen Trapper give it a slow, moody, bluesy makeover Blitzen Trapper. So good is this cover, that you’ll be dipping into  Blitzen Trapper’s back-catalogue.

Down On The Corner is given a makeover by Spirit Family Reunion. It was released on 1969 and reached number three in the US Billboard 100 charts. It’s another track from Willy and the Poor Boys, which was released in November 1969. They’ve released four albums on their own label since 2014. Their cover of Down On The Corner a fusion of blues, country and rock. Just like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Spirit Family Reunion have a charismatic lead singer with an unmistakable voice. He plays his part in one of the highlights of A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Originally, Have You Seen The Rain was released as a single by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1970, reaching number eight in the US Billboard 100. It featured on Pendulum, which was released in December 1970 and reached number five in the US Billboard 200 charts. Dead Man Winter cover Have You Seen The Rain. They’ve only released one album, Bright Lights in 2011. It was written by lead vocalist Dave Simonette. He delivers a tender, wistful vocal on Have You Seen The Rain, resulting in a truly beautiful track.

Leroux chose to cover Looking Out My Back Door, which Creedence Clearwater Revival released as a single in 1970. Back then, it reached number two in the US Billboard 100. It’s a track from Cosmo’s Factory,  which was released in July 1970. It reached number one in the US Billboard 200 and number eleven in the US R&B charts. This proved Creedence Clearwater Revival’s most successful album, when it was certified four-times platinum. Leroux’s cover of Looking Out My Back Door has a seventies sound, as effortlessly, they mix blues, country and rock. 

Duke Robillard is a veteran bluesman whose released over fifteen albums since 1986s Swing. So, who better to give Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Who’ll Stop The Rain a bluesy makeover? Who’ll Stop The Rain reached number two in the US Billboard 100 charts in 1970. It’s another track from Cosmo’s Factory which was released in July 1970. Here, Duke Robillard combines heartache and melancholy in this quite beautiful take on Who’ll Stop The Rain.

Creedence Clearwater Revival enjoyed a number one single with Up Around The Bend in 1970. It’s another track from Cosmo’s Factory. On A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival, South Memphis String Band cover Up Around The Bend. They’ve only released two albums 2009s Home Sweet Home and 2012s “Old Times There…” Here, they unleash a storming, pounding cover of Up Around The Bend, as the South Memphis String Band showcase their considerable talents.

Will WIlde covers Suzie Q, is another Creedence Clearwater Revival classic. It was released as a single from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1968 eponymous debut album. Suzie Q reached number eleven in the US Billboard 100 chart and was certified gold in 1968. Creedence Clearwater Revival then reached number fifty-two in the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum. Covering a classic track isn’t easy. Not unless you’re Will Wilde. He delivers a virtuoso performance. Quite simply, it’s a blues masterclass. So good is it, that it leaves you wanting to hear more from the British harmonica player.

Bnois King and Smokin’ Joe Kubek combine to cover Run Through The Jungle. It was released as a single in 1970 and reached number four in the US Billboard 100 charts. Run Through The Jungle is another track from the 1970 album Cosmo’s Factory. This was Creedence Clearwater Revival’s finest hour. Here, Bnois and Joe pay homage to Creedence Clearwater Revival. They strut their way through a blues-rock cover of Run Through The Jungle.

Green River was released as a single by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. It reached number two and was certified gold. It’s a the title-track from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s third album. Released in August 1969, it gave Creedence Clearwater Revival their first number one album. This resulted in Green River being certified triple platinum. Written by John Fogerty, Green River was one of the album’s highlights. Kirk Fletcher decides to reinvent Green River. His vocal is charismatic and powerful. He breathes life and meaning into the lyrics as his tight, talented band combine  delicious fusion blues and rock. 

A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival closes with Trampled Under Foot’s cover of Born On The Bayou. It’s a hidden gem in Creedence Clearwater Revival’s discography. This was the title-track to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s sophomore album. It was released as a single in 1969, but  failed to chart. Forty-five years later it’s given a makeover by Trampled Under Foot. Danielle Schnebelen delivers a bluesy, sassy take vocal. She literally struts her way through the track, bringing back memories of Janis Joplin. What better way to close A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival than with Trampled Under Foot.

The twelve bands on A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival seem determined to pay homage to one of the most successful bands of the late-sixties and early-seventies. Commercial success was ever-present during Creedence Clearwater Revival’s four year and seven album career. 

During this four year period, 1972s Mardi Gras was certified gold, 1969s Creedence Clearwater Revival and 1970s Pendelum were certified platinum, 1969s Bayou Country and Willy and the Poor Boys were certified double-platinum and 1969s Green River was certified triple-platinum. 1970s Cosmo’s Factory was Creedence Clearwater Revival’s most successful album. It was certified four-times platinum. In total, Creedence Clearwater Revival sold over 13.5 million albums between 1968 and 1972. Then there’s the five gold and five platinum discs Creedence Clearwater Revival received for the singles they sold. Despite the commercial success Creedence Clearwater Revival’s importance is understated.

Critics often compare Creedence Clearwater Revival unfavourably to groups like The Doors, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and  The Kinks. Creedence Clearwater Revival are perceived as a band who played  straight-ahead rock and roll. That’s unfair and inaccurate. There’s much more to Creedence Clearwater Revival than that. 

Listen carefully and a melting pot of influences unfold on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s seven albums. Everything from blues, psychedelia, Southern Rock and swamp rock shine through. So, it’s no surprise that Creedence Clearwater Revival sold over twenty-million singles and albums between 1968 and 1972. During that period, Creedence Clearwater Revival won friends and influenced people. They continue to do this. 

That’s why another generation of musicians were happy to cover Creedence Clearwater Revival’s music on A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival. Each of the twelve tracks are reinterpreted. Some of them are reinvented. Musical genres melt into one. Americana, blues, country, power pop, psychedelia and rock are combines. Sometimes, tracks head in a  new direction and become something new and innovative. That’s quite fitting, because Creedence Clearwater Revival were a groundbreaking group. They seamlessly combined musical genres and influences on the seven albums they released between 1968 and 1972. Fittingly, a new generation of musicians pay homage to Creedence Clearwater Revival on A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their music oozes quality and is a must have for music fans.

A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival, which will be released on 25th August 2014, is the latest instalment in Cleopatra Records’ “Tribute To” compilation series. Creedence Clearwater Revival are the perfect addition to the “Tribute To.” They’re music is often overlooked and underrated. That should’t be the case. After all, Creedence Clearwater Revival were one of the most talented groups of a generation. They enjoyed commercial success and critical acclaim. Sadly, their place in musical history is often forgotten. Not any more. Maybe when a new generation of music lovers hear A Blues Tribute To Creedence Clearwater Revival, this will lead to a revival in interest in the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival. 

A BLUES TRIBUTE TO CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL.