John Fogerty’s self-titled LP remains underappreciated

Former CCR frontman shines on one of rock’s lesser-known gems

Throughout the history of rock ‘n’ roll, perhaps no singer has a more recognizable voice than one-time Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty.

When the band called it quits in 1972, Fogerty and other band members Tom Fogerty, Doug Clifford and Stu Cook more or less fell into obscurity. Tom and John both released solo albums, Cook served a tenure with the band South Pacific and Clifford all but disappeared from the scene after playing on some of Tom’s solo work. (Clifford and Cook would go on to play with Creedence Clearwater Revisited.)

Following the breakup of the group’s final three members (John, Clifford and Cook), John Fogerty released “Blue Ridge Rangers,” a cover album of country classics and gospel standards before going silent for two years. In 1975, he released his second LP, a self-titled work that was forgotten almost as soon as it was released.

It produced a pair of cuts, “Rockin’ All Over the World” and “Almost Saturday Night,” that received play on FM AOR stations, but Fogerty’s versions of the songs never received mainstream commercial acclaim. That’s both surprising and shameful, given his musical talent and reputation within the industry. Perhaps some of the album’s lack of commercial success was due to the fact that CCR’s record label released the LP internationally during its highly publicized feud with the artist.

“Rockin’ All Over the World” was covered by Status Quo in 1977, and that band had a minor hit with the song, performing it at 1985’s Live Aid and at other charity events. It was also one of Bruce Springsteen’s encores during his 1984-85 world tour, which supported “Born in the U.S.A.” British rocker Dave Edmonds had a hit with “Almost Saturday Night,” as well. The song also was a regular number on Georgia Satellites’ setlists.

Those two tracks comprise only a small part of the album’s greatness, however. Fogerty covers Frankie Laine’s “Sea Cruise” and Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops,” making those artists’ songs his own with his trademark croon. The LP includes creative originals such as “The Wall,” “Travelin’ High,” “Dream Song” and “Flying Away,” and it also features a unique cover of the blues tune “You Rascal You.”

The album, a true solo LP, captures Fogerty at his understated best as a musician (he played all the instruments), songwriter, vocalist, producer and arranger. It’s truly the definition of a lost classic, and it’s a must-have for classic rock fans.