John Fogerty
Revival

Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  It is hard to believe, but this is the first album of all new material from John Fogerty in 30 years. Good things take time, and in John's case, he had to come to terms with all of his demons personally and professionally before this album could happen. It's called Revival for a reason and not too hard to read between the lines if you have been a CCR and Fogerty fan forever.

You get 12 tracks of pure, unencumbered Fogerty on Revival. The man has his own unique sound and style and he has never sounded better. I think I have been saying that for the past few years but I have to reiterate just how well he has weathered the storm of age and loss of popularity for his type of music. In both cases, I do not think that there has been too much of a change, in fact, I am sure new fans will be won with this album and the old guard will be delighted to hear John in such good form.

The lead off track, "Don't You Wish It Was True," is a catchy hook laden tune with some great lyrics to help it set into your consciousness and gradually melt right into your soul. John is not singing about anything different than he did when CCR was at its zenith. This is not a detriment to his art or development; rather it is an indication of how things have stayed the same. The wars are still raging with hate and violence all around us. It grates against our nerves, and our children are listening to music that glorifies our sad state of affairs. Fogerty opts to take things, turn them around, and ask us all how we would really like things to be. He asks, "What if tomorrow, everybody under the sun, was happy just to live as one, no worries or battles to be won?" Then he says, after each segment, "lord don't you wish it was true?" You will not only notice the familiar subject matter, but John decides to throw in a couple of old CCR licks here and there (you will know instantly when you hear them), and he even dedicates an entire song to his old gig on "Creedence Song."

To fall in line with the 40th anniversary of the most eventful time in rock music, John wrote "Summer Of Love." He was there, he lived it, and it comes from the heart. It comes as no surprise that it's the hardest rocking track on the CD. "I Can't Take It No More" revisits the anthem of the CCR classic "Fortunate Son," and even borrows a few words from the song. "Natural Thing" is a lot of fun, and besides being a jumpin' tune the words are spot-on. I love the line "But a man alone ain't nothin', every Tarzan needs his Jane." I happen to subscribe to that theory myself. You will hear some of that familiar bluesy swamp influence that is Fogerty's trademark - "River Is Waiting" and "Somebody" serving as fine examples. "Gunslinger" is one of my favorites and would be a pick for one of a slew of singles if was in charge of the spins at a radio station.

I found myself feeling good, disappointed in the world's state, and fondly reminiscing about long hot summers as a child listening to the older kids playing CCR on the jukebox while I was at the neighborhood-swimming hole. This CD came all wrapped up into one emotional and spine tingling package for this listener. Now how many artists today can do that to you in one sitting? I know Mr. Fogerty can and I'm damned glad he still does. Every track is solid on this album, and without question this is one of John Fogerty's finest hours in the studio. 

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