ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 1, 2007
By Steve Newton
There’s nothing sweeter in the world of rock ‘n’ roll than the sound of John Fogerty railing against warmongers, as he’s been doing so successfully ever since Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” blasted onto the radio back in ’69.
On Revival, his best (and most CCR–like) solo album since 1985’s Centerfield, the swamp-rock legend nails George W. Bush with both barrels. “Georgie’s in the jungle, knockin’ on the door/Come to get your children, wants to have a war,” howls Fogerty on “Long Dark Night”, before using the same song to spout some venom on puppetmasters Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney: “Rummie’s in the kitchen messin’ with the pans/Dickie’s in the back stealin’ everything he can.”
That three-minute blast at the current U.S. administration isn’t nearly enough for Fogerty, though; he vents directly against Bush for another 99 seconds on the raging boogie number, “I Can’t Take It No More”. “I bet you never saw the ol’ school yard/I bet you never saw the National Guard/Your daddy wrote a check and there you are, another fortunate son.”
However, Fogerty doesn’t spend the entire time decrying the disgraceful actions of his government; there’s also time for some positive-minded vibes, as on the whimsical opener, “Don’t You Wish It Was True”. He revisits the halcyon days of peace and joy on the stomping “Summer of Love”, and shows optimism for a new leader on the breezy “Gunslinger”.
Roots-rock aficionados will be pleased to learn that ace drummer Kenny Aronoff is on hand to skillfully slam everything into place. And he doesn’t ignore the cowbell, either.
To hear the full audio of my 1997 interview with John Fogerty subscribe to my Patreon page, where you can eavesdrop on over 250 of my uncut, one-on-one conversations with:
Dave Martone, 2020
Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, 2006
Joss Stone, 2012
Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest, 2005
Jack Blades of Night Ranger, 1984
Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard, 1992
Colin James, 1995
Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, 1998
Tom Cochrane of Red Rider, 1983
Ed Roland of Collective Soul, 1995
Taj Mahal, 2001
Tom Wilson of Junkhouse, 1995
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, 2003
David Lindley, 2002
Marty Friedman of Megadeth, 1991
John Hiatt, 2010
Nancy Wilson of Heart, 2006
Jeff Golub, 1989
Moe Berg of the Pursuit of Happiness, 1990
Todd Rundgren, 2006
Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, 2001
Steve Earle, 1987
Gabby Gaborno of the Cadillac Tramps, 1991
Terry Bozzio, 2003
Roger Glover, 1985
Matthew Sweet, 1995
Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds, 2003
Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars, 2001
John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, 1995
Steve Hackett from Genesis, 1993
Grace Potter, 2008
Buddy Guy, 1993
Trevor Rabin of Yes, 1984
Albert Lee, 1986
Yngwie Malmsteen, 1985
Robert Cray, 1996
Tony Carey, 1984
Ian Hunter, 1988
Kate Bush, 1985
Jeff Healey, 1988
Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, 1993
Colin Linden, 1993
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, 1995
Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, 1986
Elliot Easton from the Cars, 1996
Wayne Kramer from the MC5, 2004
Bob Rock, 1992
Nick Gilder, 1985
Roy Buchanan, 1988
Klaus Meine of Scorpions, 1988
Jason Bonham, 1989
Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers, 1991
Joey Spampinato of NRBQ, 1985
Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers, 2003
Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash, 2003
Steve Kilbey of the Church, 1990
Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde, 1990
Dan McCafferty of Nazareth, 1984
Davy Knowles of Back Door Slam, 2007
Jimmy Barnes from Cold Chisel, 1986
Steve Stevens of Atomic Playboys, 1989
Billy Idol, 1984
Stuart Adamson of Big Country, 1993
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, 1992
Warren Haynes of Gov’t Mule, 1998
John Bell of Widespread Panic, 1992
Robben Ford, 1993
Barry Hay of Golden Earring, 1984
Jason Isbell, 2007
Joe Satriani, 1990
Brad Delp of Boston, 1988
John Sykes of Blue Murder, 1989
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, 1998
Alice Cooper, 1986
Lars Ulrich of Metallica, 1985
Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon, 1992
Myles Goodwyn of April Wine, 2001
John Mellencamp, 1999
Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 1999
Kenny Aronoff, 1999
Jon Bon Jovi, 1986
Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, 1992
Little Steven, 1987
Stevie Salas, 1990
J.J. Cale, 2009
Joe Bonamassa, 2011
…with hundreds more to come