"...Pagan Baby..."
CCR's popular catalogue had been subject to endless CD reissue in jewel
cases and digipaks throughout the 80s and 90s – some good – some ok – some just
plain naff. Determined to quash the digital mess – Universal unleashed this
most American of bands and their formidable back catalogue on the world in 2008
via Concord Music, Inc. Each album from their July 1968 self-titled debut
"Creedence Clearwater Revival" through to December 1970's
"Pendulum" got all spruced up - given cool-looking round-corner jewel
cases, expanded booklets, extra tracks and stunning new remasters.
But Creedence being such an iconic '60ts' band - their opening salvo for
1970 – the mighty "Pendulum" - always seems to get overlooked in lieu
of its more adored predecessors "Bayou Country", "Green
River", "Cosmo's Factory" and "Willy And The Poor
Boys".
Time to sing the praises of CCR's most varied platter...
Time to sing the praises of CCR's most varied platter...
USA released September 2008 (October 2008 in the UK) – "Pendulum: 40th Anniversary
Edition" by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL on Universal/Fantasy/Concord
Music Group, Inc. 0888072308817 (Barcode 888072308817) is an 'Expanded' CD
Remaster and plays out as follows (54:18 minutes):
1. Pagan Baby
2. Sailor's Lament
3. Chameleon
4. Have You Seen The Rain
5. (Wish I Could) Hideaway
6. Borne To Move [Side 2]
7. Hey Tonight
8. It's Just The Thought
9. Molina
10. Rude Awakening No. 2
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 6th studio album "Pendulum" -
released December 1970 in the USA on Fantasy F-8410 and January 1971 in the UK
on Liberty LBG 83400. John Fogerty wrote all songs and Produced – the album
peaked at No. 5 on the US LP charts and No. 8 in the UK.
BONUS TRACKS:
11. 45 Revolutions Per Minute Part 1
12. 45 Revolutions Per Minute Part 2
Tracks 11 and 12 are the A & B-sides of a US promo-only 7"
single on Fantasy 2832/3 released in 1970. Both sides are nearly all dialogue
13. Hey Tonight (Live in Hamburg, Germany, 17 September 1971) -
Previously Unreleased
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL was:
JOHN FOGERTY – Lead Vocal, Guitar and Organ
TOM FOGERTY – Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
STU COOK – Bass and Backing Vocals
DOUG CLIFFORD – Drums and Backing Vocals
Quite why the tracks were put in a different running order on the rear
sleeve has always puzzled me (why is "Borne" spelt with an 'e') - but
it's nice to see that the live photo by Baron Walman of Fogerty fronting the
band that was on the inner gatefold of my Liberty Records album is used as a
centre-page spread in the 16-page booklet. JOEL SLEVIN provides insightful
liner notes that include an interview with main man John Fogerty about their
aspirations to fill the slot left by the recently broken up Beatles (Fogerty
wanted John, Tom, Stu and Doug to be as well known as John, Paul, George and
Ringo – almost got there John). There are photos of the band in the studio and
repro’s of rare 45 picture sleeves for "Hey Tonight" and "Have You
Ever Seen The Rain". There is discussion on the rare CCR promo '45
Revolutions' - Doug Clifford imitating Top 40 bay Area DJ Tom Campbell - the
boys giggling and goofing off. A three-piece band fronts the Previously
Unreleased "Hey Tonight" recorded in Hamburg on the band's final tour
for the "Live In Europe" album (which would turn out to be the band's
last performance). There are reissue credits and colour photos - very tasty...
Side 1 opens with a total kick-ass winner - the brilliant riff of
"Pagan Baby" - 6:23 minutes of pure Creedence genius. In truth it
probably goes on for a little 'too' long - but I've always loved it and the
remaster here is magnificent. By immediate contrast we get the keyboard choogle
of "Sailor's Lament" where the boys sing "shame...it's a
shame..." as a refrain throughout.
Fogerty gives it some brass fills on the hugely likeable
"Chameleon" - but classic status has to go to the gorgeous and simple
strum of "Have You Ever Seen Rain" (with or without a question mark).
We get a bit Hammond B-3 organ on the Bluesy "(Wish) I Could Hide
Away" - and again a fabulous remaster brings it to life.
Side 2 opens with another crave of mine "Borne To Move" -
surely the great unreleased 45 that never was - boogieing and strutting like only
CCR could. What a winner and all it sounding fresh as a newly minted decimal
pound (dig that Bass and Drum break). There can be few CCR fans who don't get a
rush to the solar plexus at the opening seconds of the brilliant "Hey
Tonight" - relegated to the B-side of "Have You Ever Seen The
Rain" in the UK on Liberty LBF 15440 (released March 1971 in the UK).
Sounding not unlike The Moody Blues - the organ of "It's Just A
Thought" expands their sound beyond that of just guitar and drums. Both it
and "Molina" sound stupendous here. And it ends on their
"Tomorrow Never Knows" Psych/Prog freak out moment - "Rude
Awakening No. 2" - a cacophony of backwards Guitars and strangulated
Keyboard sounds that left many baffled and perhaps a tad disappointed.
If you wanted more - “Pendulum” has been thrown into two worthy Box Sets
– June 2009’s 7-disc replica sleeves of “Creedence Clearwater Revival (40th
Anniversary Editions)” on Fantasy/Concord Music Group. Inc. 0888072315716 - or
the March 2015 6-disc Box Set of “1961-1972” - that contains the pre-CCR Gollywogs
material and some Previously Unreleased. But bluntly with this album and the
other five on Amazon at less than four quid each – complete with booklets,
extras and that gorgeous sound – I find these single disc reissues are the
simplistic ones for me...
"...You keep on changing your face..." - John Fogerty sings on
"Chameleon". Nothing changes my love for this band or this great
album. I know it's not all genius and some even dislike it - but I'm a sucker
for CCR and this '40th Anniversary CD Edition' of "Pendulum" is the
one to nab...
