Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inFogerty’s message still resonates, makes us wanna move
Fogerty’s message still resonates, makes us wanna move
by Outspoken on Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:37 am
Fogerty’s message still resonates, makes us wanna move
By BOB KEYES
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Fitting, wasn’t it, that on what felt like the first decent night of summer, it was John Fogerty who helped stop the rain?
The rocker, now 63 years young, held up his end of the bargain Saturday night at the Maine State Pier in Portland for Baystock 2008, burning through a 100-minute set on a perfect summer night.
Mother Nature, who left Maine under a wet blanket for two solid weeks, held up her end, too. No rain, no fog, no need for a slicker – just a gorgeous half-moon rising over the city, with boats in the harbor, gulls on the wing and a few thousand music fans on the pier.
Still in fine voice and still playing most of his own guitar leads, the California-born rock 'n' roll icon impressed with his ability to present the songs from his Creedence Clearwater days and have them sound new.
Of all the singers of his era still on the road, Fogerty sounds closest to how we remember him. His high-tenor is sharp and full of range.
“Fortunate Son” still has caterwaul energy. "Proud Mary” still makes you want to dance. "Born on Bayou” still has enough mystery and mud to make you want to duck for cover.
But Saturday’s Baystock show never felt nostalgic. With the addition of fiddle player and multi-instrumentalist Jason Mowery to an all-star band, the music felt fresh and energetic.
Perhaps it’s a sad commentary about America that the issues that fueled his creative spark in the first place – a country ripped apart by an unpopular war and economic disparity – still resonate. The songs have teeth, and they bite.
Add to them the songs he has written since that long-ago heyday that have gained popular currency – silly though it may be, there is no denying "Centerfield’s” place in America’s cultural songbook – and you get someone whose credibility as an artist should never be questioned.
A further testament to that notion was his seamless inclusion of a handful of new songs, from his most recent CD, "Revival.”
As solid as he is in the starring role, Fogerty surrounds himself with stellar musicians, who help prevent the songs from drifting into that uncomfortable territory of lameness.
With Kenny Aronoff on drums and Billy Brunette, best known for his work with Fleetwood Mac, playing guitar, Fogerty has put together a formidable supergroup, capable of following his musical wanderings that pay homage to influences as diverse as Chuck Berry, James Brown and Elvis Presley.
The current band also includes bassist Dave Santos, keyboardist Matt Nolen and guitarist Hunter Perrin.It would be unfair to not at least note the exceptional opening set of As Fast As, the Portland band fronted by keyboard player and guitarist Spencer Albee. Saturday’s gig was the final show the group will play in a long time, as drummer Andrew Hodgkins and bassist Hache are taking time off.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204215&ac=PHnws
By BOB KEYES
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Fitting, wasn’t it, that on what felt like the first decent night of summer, it was John Fogerty who helped stop the rain?
The rocker, now 63 years young, held up his end of the bargain Saturday night at the Maine State Pier in Portland for Baystock 2008, burning through a 100-minute set on a perfect summer night.
Mother Nature, who left Maine under a wet blanket for two solid weeks, held up her end, too. No rain, no fog, no need for a slicker – just a gorgeous half-moon rising over the city, with boats in the harbor, gulls on the wing and a few thousand music fans on the pier.
Still in fine voice and still playing most of his own guitar leads, the California-born rock 'n' roll icon impressed with his ability to present the songs from his Creedence Clearwater days and have them sound new.
Of all the singers of his era still on the road, Fogerty sounds closest to how we remember him. His high-tenor is sharp and full of range.
“Fortunate Son” still has caterwaul energy. "Proud Mary” still makes you want to dance. "Born on Bayou” still has enough mystery and mud to make you want to duck for cover.
But Saturday’s Baystock show never felt nostalgic. With the addition of fiddle player and multi-instrumentalist Jason Mowery to an all-star band, the music felt fresh and energetic.
Perhaps it’s a sad commentary about America that the issues that fueled his creative spark in the first place – a country ripped apart by an unpopular war and economic disparity – still resonate. The songs have teeth, and they bite.
Add to them the songs he has written since that long-ago heyday that have gained popular currency – silly though it may be, there is no denying "Centerfield’s” place in America’s cultural songbook – and you get someone whose credibility as an artist should never be questioned.
A further testament to that notion was his seamless inclusion of a handful of new songs, from his most recent CD, "Revival.”
As solid as he is in the starring role, Fogerty surrounds himself with stellar musicians, who help prevent the songs from drifting into that uncomfortable territory of lameness.
With Kenny Aronoff on drums and Billy Brunette, best known for his work with Fleetwood Mac, playing guitar, Fogerty has put together a formidable supergroup, capable of following his musical wanderings that pay homage to influences as diverse as Chuck Berry, James Brown and Elvis Presley.
The current band also includes bassist Dave Santos, keyboardist Matt Nolen and guitarist Hunter Perrin.It would be unfair to not at least note the exceptional opening set of As Fast As, the Portland band fronted by keyboard player and guitarist Spencer Albee. Saturday’s gig was the final show the group will play in a long time, as drummer Andrew Hodgkins and bassist Hache are taking time off.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204215&ac=PHnws
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
