The CCR album that never was...
Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 07/11/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Fogerty's first "offical" solo album (which Fogerty calls Shep since that is dog on the cover photo by Bob Fogerty)holds its own with Fogerty's solo catalog. Fogerty replicates the classic CCR sound on the album which is reproduced here with better sound courtesy of the 20bit K2 mastering process with better clarity, detail and depth(although clearly from the same master source)than the previous edition.
We get the CD in a replica of the original album sleeve with lyrics but without any bonus tracks. That's a pity as Fogerty recorded a solo single right around the release of this album that would have fit on this album just fine. I keep hoping that single (along with the follow up single he recorded as The Blue Ridge Rangers)will show up some day with superior sound. I'm also still waiting for John to re-release the b-side "My Toot Toot" as a bonus track or on a CD (perhaps a career retrospective--one can always hope)recorded around the time of "Eye of the Zombie".
The songs are a solid batch "Rockin' All Over the World" and "Almost Saturday Night". "The Wall" travels the same ground as CCR tracks like "Commotion". "Travelin' High" (featuring some nice horn work to give it a R&B flavor)is also quite a good song. There are three covers. "You Rascal You" is Ok it isn't a favorite song of mine. He does a nice job on "Lonely Teardrops" and "Sea Cruise". "Where the River Flows" is a gospel tinged country rock tune that would have done any CCR album or Fogerty album proud. "Dream; Song" and "Flying Away" are both top notch with the latter song one of Fogerty's best on the album with an infectious guitar riff and melody. It closes the album on a terrific "note".
John plays all the instruments (much as he did on The Blue Ridge Rangers album). Because of all the overdubbing the sound quality isn't quite as sharp as later Fogerty albums where digital equipment was used but it has that CCR swampy sound as well as the touch of country that made its way onto the last couple of CCR releases.
The big difference between this edition and the previous editions available as imports on CD is that this has been remastered with slightly better resolution at 20 bits. It sounds louder, brighter with a nice solid bass sound but could probably sound even better if the original mastertape were located and used. John's guitar work is outstanding as usual with its characteristic sound and he's in fine voice throughout the release."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1