Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Released in 1980, well after the fateful demise of CCR, this live recording was put out by Fantasy, no doubt to earn more money. I'm not complaining - more live Creedence is always a good thing, even if 8 of these songs were also on Live In Europe! Taken from a concert in January, 1970, 9 of the 14 songs were originally from Green River and Willy and the Poorboys, which they were promoting at the time. The sound quality is much superior to Live In Europe, with much less crowd interference, and again I have basically just given my opinions on the performances and differences from studio tracks.
Born On the Bayou (4:48) - Almost identical to the original, but still a great performance. Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Green River (2:46) - Another straight-from-the-album song, but it's easier to understand the lyrics! Nice guitar work at the end.
Tombstone Shadow (3:28) - We finally learn the inspiration for this song - John Fogerty went to see a fortune teller (what a surprise!). Too much tuning of instruments at the start, but a far superior performance to the album cut. Fogerty's throaty voice is superb, and he gets smart and spices up the dreadful one-note solo.
Don't Look Now (2:00) - Starts with a hilarious joke, but it took me a while to get it. I wrote it on this page so I don't spoil it for people who don't have the album. Also better than the original, but the vocals are still too quiet.
Travelin' Band (1:57) - No Sax Please, I'm British! No I'm not, and my puns are pitiful! Still a great frantic version.
Who'll Stop the Rain (2:14) - Doug Clifford's energetic drumming stands out on this fine rendition.
Bad Moon Rising (2:06) - Better than the Live In Europe performance, because it is clearer. Still, a carbon copy of the album track (is that term out of date yet?).
Proud Mary (2:50) - Nearly surpasses the studio version, in my opinion. Clifford's drumming again excels, as does Stu Cook's bass and Fogerty's voice, but the guitar is a bit subdued.
Fortunate Son (2:20) - Fine except you can barely hear the guitar riffs! Good, quick pace though.
Commotion (2:27) - I think it's impossible to perfrom this song such that I won't like it!
The Midnight Special (3:26) - Sing along, 'cause there ain't nothin' to it! Annoying crowd noises during the intimate beginning, and it's quite a bit shorter than the album cut. All in all, not that great.
The Night Time is the Right Time (2:56) - No improvement over the so-so album version because although the guitar and bass are fine, the "wah-do-day"'s are even more annoying.
Down On the Corner (2:32) - Different from the original because Fogerty emphasizes different words, and the chorus sounds totally changed! A very refreshing performance.
Keep On Chooglin' (8:26) - This pales in comparison to the 12-minute odessey on Live In Europe, but it is still an excellent rendition. The music is almost identical to the original, except for the guitar work after the first verse and some of the harmonica break, which is a bit drowned out. I'm always glad to hear this song played!
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
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