Creedence Clearwater Revival - Mardi Gras (1972)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s

By 1971 CCR had been reduced to a trio, as Tom Fogerty had left when his brother John's dictatorial leadership style finally got too much for him. However surprisingly John Fogerty then announced to his remaining band members (bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford) that the group would now become a 'democracy'. The songwriting and singing duties would now be split between the three of them, which no doubt came as quite a shock. Fogerty threatened to quit if they didn't agree to this 'democracy', so Cook and Clifford had to come up with some songs of their own.

Their next single was Fogerty's "Sweet Hitch Hiker", which gave them their ninth Top 10 hit at #6. Their next album was a long time coming (considering CCR's previous record for fast output), as they went on tour throughout both the US and Europe. Mardi Gras finally came out in 1972, with the singing and songwriting split between the three of them. As of such it was quite a disjointed affair, and was panned by the critics, though it did still manage to chart at #12.

Cook and Clifford's songs were all quite respectable, but they were obviously going to pale beside the band's previous Fogerty-penned output. "Sweet Hitch Hiker" was included, and the other three songs Fogerty sang included a cover of the Ricky Nelson classic "Hello Mary Lou", and the excellent "Someday Never Comes". The latter was clearly the strongest song on the album, and released as its second single it got to #25 (a modest chart position for CCR). It actually turned out to be their last single. After one more US tour, CCR broke up in October 1972.

Pendulum (1970) <|
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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Pendulum (1970)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s

1970's Pendulum was CCR's sixth album in two years. It turned out to be one of their more diverse ones, as John Fogerty overdubbed Hammond organ and horns, all of which he played himself. His almost dictatorial role as the band's leader however was beginning to cause tensions, and during the recording of the album his brother Tom Fogerty finally threw in the towel and left to pursue a solo career. Despite these troubles behind the scenes, the album turned out to be one of their most interesting and rewarding, if the final track (a tedious six minute sound collage) can be excused. It made it to #5 on the album chart and a single was subsequently released in 1971 - "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" b/w "Hey Tonight" made it to #8. 

Cosmo's Factory (1970) <|> Mardi Gras (1972)
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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory (1970)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s.

1969 had been a massively successful year for Creedence Clearwater Revival, as they had released three Top 10 albums, three #2 hit singles and a #3, and had played the Woodstock festival. They had become one of the most distinctive voices of American popular music, their down-to-earth roots-rock providing a welcome alternative to the psychedelic sounds so prevalent in the late 60s.
They began the new decade with yet another #2 hit - “Travelling Band” b/w “Who’ll Stop The Rain”. This was then followed by “Up Around The Bend” b/w “Run Through The Jungle”, which got to #4. They then went on their first European tour. Their fifth album, Cosmo’s Factory, came out in the summer of 1970, featuring both hit singles, plus another (“Looking Out My Back Door”), which again made it to #2 (by now they had scored five #2 singles but strangely hadn’t yet got to #1 on the Billboard Top 100).
The album itself was more classic CCR, though it broadened their palette somewhat as John Fogerty contributed not just guitar and harmonica but also dobro, piano and saxophone. Besides the singles and their b-sides, it had covers of Roy Orbison’s “Ooby Dooby” , Arthur Crudup’s “My Baby Left Me”, Bo Diddley’s “Before You Accuse Me” and Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (the latter turned into an epic 10-minute jam, one of the band’s best ever performances).
It turned out to be their second #1 album, and is generally considered to be one of their best (or at least the one with the highest concentration of well-known songs).

Willy & The Poor Boys (1969) <|> Pendulum (1970)
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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Willy & The Poor Boys (1969)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s.

CCR showed no signs of slowing down, as Willy & The Poor Boys was their third album to be released in the year of 1969. It expanded upon the roots-rock formula they had perfected on Bayou Country and Green River, incorporating more diverse textures and ideas. The result was surely their best album to date, with some of their finest songs and most sublime sounds. Alongside eight fantastic John Fogerty tunes (including the rocking "Fortunate Son", a timeless protest song) were covers of the traditional country-blues "The Midnight Special", and an outstanding reading of Leadbelly's "Cotton Fields".
The singles from the album didn't actually fare as well as those from its two predecessors. Nevertheless, getting to #3 with "Down On The Corner" wasn't too bad. The album itself got to #3 as well.

Green River (1969) <|> Cosmo's Factory (1970)
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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River (1969)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s.

Green River was CCR's third album, and their second one to be released in 1969. They weren't showing any signs of slowing down, as the great music kept on coming, with their distinctive down-to-earth roots-rock style firmly established. Green River contained many of John Fogerty's best-known songs, including "Lodi", "Green River" and "Bad Moon Rising", and the latter two both reached #2 when they were released as singles. Though they still hadn't reached the number one spot on the singles chart, they were all over the airwaves and widely becoming recognised as one of the new voices of American popular music. The album itself did manage to make it to #1.

Bayou Country (1969) <|> Willy & The Poor Boys (1969)
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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bayou Country (1969)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s.

CCR's 1968 debut album had introduced their raw, stripped-down roots-rock style, driven by John Fogerty's distinctive vocals. Their second album continued in this vein - a guitar-driven fusion of rock, blues and country. By this point Fogerty's songwriting had come to dominate their repetoire, as Bayou Country only contained one cover (Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly"). And it was here that he was recognised as a talented and unique songwriter, with his very own vision of Americana, part working class realism and part Southern mythology. Because although the band hailed from California, the sound they were forging was deeply rooted in the South, and in particular Fogerty showed an affinity with the state of Louisiana (which explains the album title). Bayou Country contained two songs which were landmarks in the history of CCR - "Born On The Bayou" and "Proud Mary", which painted a vivid picture of life in the swamps. The former was flavoured with mystical 'hoodoo' imagery, the latter portrayed river life working on the steam boat of the song's title. "Proud Mary" was released as a single, backed with "Born On The Bayou", and reached #2 on the pop charts, whilst the album itself peaked at #7. CCR were going places fast, and with Bayou Country they had carved out their own unique identity.

Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968) <|> Green River (1969)
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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated as CCR) were a popular American rock band active from the late 60s to early 70s.

CCR were formed by brothers John and Tom Fogerty, Doug Clifford and Stu Cook, all from California. Older brother Tom was originally the lead singer, but he was soon moved to rhythm guitar and John took over as frontman, giving them the lineup of John Fogerty (lead vocals, lead guitar), Tom Fogerty (rhythm guitar), Stu Cook (bass) and Doug Clifford (drums). The group suffered a setback when John Fogerty and Clifford were called up for military service in 1966, but by '68 they had been discharged and the band was finally ready to begin its career, signed to Fantasy records and with a heavy schedule of touring clubs.
Their 1968 debut album contained a mixture of covers and John Fogerty originals. The covers showed their love for R&B, soul and rockabilly, with Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You", Dale Hawkins' "Suzie Q" and Wilson Pickett's "Ninety-Nine And A Half". Their rootsy aesthetic went against the psychedelic trend most other rock bands of the time were emersed in. Their sound even at this early stage was very raw and stripped-down, relying on simple, no-frills musicianship, solid songs and a great deal of soul, rather than any psychedelic gimmickry. This mix proved to be a hit.
The secret to their success was John Fogerty, and this was obvious even from the first album. His songwriting prowess, wiry guitar lines and impassioned vocal delivery gave the band a real punch, which took some quite basic musical ingredients and made them stand out from the masses. People took notice - the album went to #52, and their "Suzie Q" cover reached #11 on the singles chart. But things had only really just begun for CCR.

|> Bayou Country (1969)
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