Rating: 9 out of 10
John Fogerty's triumphant return to the music scene, ten long years after his last officially released album. It is also the absolute ultimate solo project - Fogerty wrote all the songs, played every instrument himself, and arranged and produced the record! I wouldn't be surprised to find out he hand-made the baseball glove on the cover! Is there any limit to his abilities? Yes - he is unable to compose a bad song! The album was critically acclaimed, and a commercial success, but it was also controversial. Fogerty was now performing on the Warner Bros. label, and Creedence's distributor, Fantasy Records sued him because they felt some songs on Centerfield were too similar to the fantastic songs that his former band put out which provide almost all of Fantasy's revenue. I think they were right, some songs do sound alike, but so what? He wrote them, so how can you plagiarize yourself? As well, the songs "Mr. Greed" and "Zaentz Kant Danz" referred very unflatteringly to the Fantasy big-wig Saul Zaentz and Fogerty was pressured to change the latter to "Vanz Kant Danz", though everyone still knows who he's talking about!
The Old Man Down the Road (3:25) - Fantasy thought the first single sounded too much like "Run Through the Jungle", but I disagreed - at first. Now I admit they are similar, but who really cares? As long as it's good music, do whatever you want! I also love the video for the song - via the longest extension cord in the world, Fogerty's electic guitar provides heat for a swamp man in the bayou. During the trip we see many facets of Americana.
Rock and Roll Girls (3:20) - Fogerty's voice is unusually high but still powerful. The blaring sax is excellent, and the lead guitar is hardly missed! A very upbeat, enjoyable tune. Hang on - I want to shuffle off to Buffalo too!
Big Train (From Memphis) (2:52) - Fogerty's tribute to Elvis Presley has never been one of my favorites, but I'm hard-pressed to find anything wrong with it! There is nice guitar work, but I think his voice is too tender and gentle for my liking. He sounds like this in other songs I enjoy more, but I don't think the tone is appropriate for this particular tune.
I Saw It On T.V. (4:15) - In my opinion, the faint guitar strumming in the beginning is just like "Who'll Stop the Rain", and much of the rest of the song is also very similar. Fogerty's drumming closely resembles Doug Clifford's, the rhythm is almost identical, and the last notes couldn't be more exact! The lyrics are poignant, but the real "WStR" is still superior.
Mr. Greed (3:58) - One of my favorite songs on the album because it is so raw and powerful. The searing guitar licks are superb, as are Fogerty's throaty vocals. I have to wonder who is worse - Mr. Greed, or his mother, who taught him everything he knows!
Searchlight (4:22) - Or is it "Soichla"? I always love it when he can make words sound totally different! Another song that sounds similar to "Run Through the Jungle" (except the saxophone), particularly the gloomy lyrics. The slightly slowed-down guitar break in the middle is masterful, but the ending is too prolonged.
Centerfield (3:48) - Forget "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" - this is the quintessential baseball song! Perhaps also my favorite John Fogerty song, but at least in the Top 3. I can't say enough great things about this - the rollicking guitar, the happy, joyous lyrics, the hand-clapping, the organ appearing at just the right times, and more!
I Can't Help Myself (3:03) - For the most part, the background music is very subdued and simple, but you hardly notice because of Fogerty's evocative vocals. One very minor complaint - the drums during the central music break sound far too synthetic and electronic. Still a great song to move to.
Vanz Kant Danz (5:20) - By far the worst song on the album, mainly because I don't like the way it sounds. I find the beginning annoying, as well as the "flute"-like sounds during the chorus. The synthesizer and drums seem very phony to me - I don't like digitized music. The drum solo was also a big mistake. There are a few highlights - Fogerty's fine voice and lyrics, and the guitar and horn interplay, but all in all a disappointment.
Rating: 9 out of 10
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