Blue Moon Swamp - Fogerty, John (CD 1997)

I miss the cigarette-char in Fogerty's voice -- the one that sang "Travellin' Band" some 35 years ago. But age, wisdom and better living can do that to rock and roll. I can't complain about what time does -- be like shoutin' in a windstorm. If you gotta make a minor sacrifice like a perfect sandpaper rock and roll singing to come up with joyous and energetic masterpieces like Blue Moon Swamp, hey, I'm all for it.

The singing voice Fogerty has now is crystalline yet plain spoken -- songs anyone can sing. Blues and soul numbers like 110 in the Shade are even better, you can sing 'em and know where the song is coming from. Everybody knows the blues of laboring in blistering heat -- and some I'm sure know the blues of forced labor as well. Fogerty's soul gets engaged in the tune as he sings it. Superb backup singing here as well. I love singing the basso part in my car.

Blue Moon Swamp begins with a spirited train song. Train songs almost always conjure ghosts whether it's of the singers themselves like The Singing Brakeman, their subject matter (like Steve Earle sings "Nowadays they don't make no trains/just piggyback freighters and them Amtrak things"). This song may conjure ghosts but ain't nothing them ghosts are gonna do to this song except boogie. And it'll stay in your head for days.

Fogerty still has that touch with his lyrics where you say "man, that is Me." "Well look at me. Lord, I ain't gotta dime but I can dance." Fogerty sings in the song "Jelly Roll". What are my pockets right now but empty and while I don't know any steps I'm at least told I can groove pretty good. I love the song, too. Short and punchy with a killer lead-off Stones riff.

You get your train songs, your hot rod songs, you got your guitar-slinger can't help playin' after the bar is closed song, all with distinct, instant classic melody and inspired touches (man, I love the back-up quintet on 110 in the Shade). You even get a lovely ode to the married life. If happiness and security like that helps you come up with this, I say stay happy. This is plain and pure rock and roll exalted, glorious.