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We all realize that there’s music for just about any mood we’re in. For those of you who seem frazzled from a long work week, you may need music that’s soothing but will also uplift your mood. Fortunately, I’ve found just the CD for you: John Fogerty’s new release, The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again.
When Fogerty began his solo career in 1973, his first release was The Blue Ridge Rangers. He played all of the instruments for this collection of country music songs. On Rides Again, he still records songs with a country flavor, but he has also assembled some talented musicians to accompany him. Most of the musicians may be unfamiliar to rock music fans, with the possible exception of drummer Kenny Aronoff. There are some surprise vocal guests, though: Eagles Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit on the Ricky Nelson classic, “Garden Party,” and Bruce Springsteen joining in on the Everly Brothers’ “When Will I Be Loved?”
If you’re expecting the rip-roaring rock ‘n’ roller voice that you’re familiar with on such Creedence Clearwater Revival songs as “Traveling Band,” though, you may be disappointed. Instead, Fogerty’s voice resonates with clarity to ensure that the listener hears every word of the songs he’s chosen to share with us.
The CD starts a little slowly for my taste with his rendition of John Prine’s “Paradise.” However, I did enjoy Fogerty’s cover of a John Denver song, “Back Home Again.” Other songs I found myself tapping my hands and feet to were Delaney & Bonnie’s “Never Ending Song Of Love,” and Buck Owens’s “I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me).”
There is one new original song on the CD, “Change In the Weather,” expressing John’s viewpoint on the handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. The song has that CCR “Run Through the Jungle” sound to it.
The CD’s highlights, though, are the appearance of the guest vocalists. “Garden Party” is a gem. Henley and Schmit each nail the verse they sing, and the pedal steel playing of Greg Leisz is absolutely gorgeous to hear. I had forgotten what a great story Nelson told when the song was first released, and Fogerty stays true to the original in his rendition.
With this CD slowly lifting my spirits, it has the perfect finish with a rousing recording of “When Will I Be Loved?” Fogerty and Springsteen sound like they’re having a blast singing this song, and when I’ve played it in my car, everybody riding with me has joined in on vocals; it’s that catchy!
Let’s hope the wait isn’t that long for the Rangers to saddle up again!
