Rating: 10 out of 10
From the mysterious and spooky opening bars of "I Put A Spell On You" to the charged ending of "Walk On the Water", CCR's debut rocks with pure energy. Recorded before they became a popular, mainstream band, the album doesn't focus so much on songwriting as showcasing John Fogerty's fine gravelly voice and guitar talent. The lyrics on Fogerty's original songs are simple, but who notices when listening to the numerous blazing guitar licks on nearly every song! And the rhythm section supports him every minute of the way! Truly a superb first outing.
I Put a Spell On You (4:28) - Their version of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' classic puts listeners into the mood for the rest of the album, and is definitely a hypnotic tune! Fogerty's throaty vocals growl out threats and no one won't take them seriously! Also very fine guitar work in the middle.
The Working Man (3:01) - A rollicking good time from start to finish. Rapid blues guitar and groovy bass throughout. Fogerty's voice almost sounds tender at times and he hits some high notes. The lyrics are purely for fun - CCR didn't always have to be thought-provoking!
Susie Q (8:33) - The band's first hit was a cover of a Dale Hawkins standard that contains three excellent guitar licks, the second of which (when the 4-minute single fades) I feel is the best Creedence guitar moment. The drums take a back seat here, and I often listen to the song on the left speaker alone with just the guitar and bass, giving the illusion of a personal, intimate performance (I think). The slow crescendo at the end is also masterful and orgasmic.
Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do) (3:34) - I've never heard Wilson Pickett's original recording, but surely it can't be this great! This is raw Creedence at it's best! Fogerty's voice is raspy to a fault, and the instruments blend in a perfect harmony. 99 1/2 will do just fine for me!
Get Down Woman (3:05) - Quite simply Creedence doing the blues. You would think they'd be old men, having played like this all their lives. The faint piano in the background is an excellent touch. One of my biggest complaints about CCR (there aren't many!) is that they didn't perform more of these bluesy-type songs when they were so good at it.
Porterville (2:20) - A Golliwogs minor hit that made it onto the debut album, this is perhaps the earliest CCR readily available. A driving beat moves the song behind sinister lyrics of being hunted out of town with no one willing to help. The "oooh"'s at the fade are unique in all Creedence, I believe.
Gloomy (3:45) - Perhaps the only mediocre moments on the entire album are during the first minute and a half of this song, which I find boring and uninspired. But the scorching guitar licks during the last half more than compensate! John Fogerty should show his skill more often!
Walk On the Water (4:36) - A simpler, shorter version of this was recorded while the band was known as the Golliwogs. After hearing this inproved take of it, I doubt anyone will want to take a stroll along a river anytime soon! Frenzied drums and powerful bass lines highlight the last instrumental two-thirds, along with more quick guitar work. A very charged, energetic song, a fitting end to a phenomenal record.
Rating: 10 out of 10
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