JOHN FOGERTY ALWAYS HAD A HOT ROD HEART

The mid 90`s were not a golden time for me as far as music goes, alternative rock had already lost its vibrance and panache, 80`s pop, rock and metal was literally banned from the radio and Gen-X-er's like me were being forced to listen to grunged down Metallica, woman angst rockers and a myriad amount of half arsed watered down alternative rock bands trying but not succeeding to be the next Nirvana. In amongst all the junk on the airwaves and charts around 1997 come along the long awaited solo album by ex-Credence Clearwater Revival creative lynchpin JOHN FOGERTY titled BLUE MOON SWAMP. What a refreshing change it was to hear a new album of beefed up Credence Clearwater sounding songs, it was like John man, where the hell have you been all these years? BLUE MOON SWAMP was a major chart success for FOGERTY, it was his first outing since the album EYE OF THE ZOMBIE way back in the mid 80`s. Despite its success, it's status has worn off a bit, and that's why i thought it was time i remind my readers just what a great album it is, a classic blend of old time Credence riffs and rhythm but with a decidedly more country music influence on display, most evident on the opening song SOUTHERN STREAMLINE, RAMBUNCTIOUS BOY and the toned down ballad JOY OF MY LIFE. A HUNDRED AND TEN IN THE SHADE sounds like it should have been on the OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU soundtrack, it would have made the perfect SOGGY BOTTOM BOYS cover tune. WALKING IN A HURRICANE was the only single to get any airplay on australian radio, great song, but not as good as RATTLESNAKE HIGHWAY, BAD BAD BOY (named after me of course) and my favourite - HOT ROD HEART, another almost what you would call country rocker, the perfect soundtrack for cruising down the highway with the sunroof off.