Anyone vaguely familiar with John Fogerty’s turbulent relationship with
Fantasy Records may be surprised to learn that the two have not only settled
their differences; they’re back in business together. Releasing The
Long Road Home, a comprehensive greatest hits CD, in 2005 was only
the beginning of what is purported to be a mutually beneficial relationship.
This year, the ante’s been upped and a live concert DVD bearing the same name
as the Top 20 CD shows the ageless rocker roaring out the door, dazzling an
SRO audience, and nailing bull’s eyes on just about every hit he’s
ever written.
The Long Road Home features 26 John Fogerty solo and Creedence
classics, including “Bad Moon Rising,” “Who’ll Stop The Rain,”
“Travelin’ Band,” “Fortunate Son,” “Green River,”
“Almost Saturday Night,” “Rockin All Over The World,”
“Centerfield,” and a blistering version of “Keep On Chooglin’.”
The singer-songwriter and his ace band (guitarists Bob Britt and Billy Burnette,
bassist George Hawkins, Jr., keyboardist Matt Nolen, and drummer John Molo)
lock in and never let up, without so much as a nervous twitch or bat of the
eye. Fogerty remains unparalleled in his role as a performer, guitarist and
songwriter; as a singer, he’s simply evolved to meet a higher standard.
As the composer of numerous odes to the south, Fogerty steps up and acknowledges
the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina by unleashing passionate performances of “Born
On The Bayou,” “Bootleg,” and “Proud Mary.” The
included bonus video of “Déjà Vu (All Over Again}”
underscores the singer’s penchant for political allegory, proving to be
as alive and vigorous as it was during the height of the Vietnam War in the
late 60s. Recorded live on September 15, 2005 at the Wiltern Theater in Los
Angeles, the DVD was recorded in high definition video and mixed in 5.1. The
Long Road Home is undoubtedly carved with honorable intentions and
a killer soundtrack — another notch for both Fogerty and Fantasy as they
forge ahead. Here’s to a long and prosperous journey.
~ Shawn Perry
