Electric Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival & John Fogerty

14 Aug 1997 Denver

Paramount Theatre (Photo: Wikipedia)

John Fogerty in Denver 8/14/97

"Fiercer than any punk band, the song blazed with a fire that physically lifted an already dance happy audience"

Review by Kevin Dennis

I saw my first rock concert in August, 1972 - Creedence Clearwater Revival. The trio tore the house up, but it was nothing compared to last night. John Fogerty, twenty-five years later, made those nearly three-decades-old tunes sound as contemporary as anything on the music scene today, and barrelled through most of his latest album as well.

He effortlessly tossed off one million-selling single after another to start the show, but it was a medley of "Susie Q" and especially "I Put A Spell On You" that dropped jaws. Fogerty ripped into the solos with the precise abandon that is his guitar trademark. In fact, it was the blues and gospel numbers that will hang with me for a long time -- "Working On A Building," "A Hundred And Ten In The Shade," and a version of "Before You Accuse Me" that lifted the roof (and proved for any doubters that Eric Clapton is a poser). "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Blueboy" also mined a deep, deep groove.

By the time he got around to "Fortunate Son," the volume was jacked way up, both on stage and in the audience. Fiercer than any punk band, the song blazed with a fire that physically lifted an already dance happy audience. The bulk of the crowd cheered for a full five minutes after the encore, refusing to acknowledge the end of an incredible evening.

Fogerty happily took a dig at the audience for his next show -- a showcase performance at the Gavin AAA Radio Conference in Boulder, CO, on August 15. "Do you want to see me tomorrow night?" he asked the audience. "You'll have to put on a suit...we're playing for the suits tomorrow night!" If there's any intelligence in the radio community, those suits better be sweat suits...you're gonna need one!

Review by Bill Trujillo

A beautiful summer's evening at the Paramount Theatre in Denver Colo. on August 14 is where I witnessed a truly magnifescent performance by Fogerty and that sharp band of his.

John Fogerty had the look on his face and energy he displayed of an artist at ease and enjoying his performance. It had been a long time coming he mentioned, "But I promise next time it won't be so long!"

The crowd anywhere from their late teens to their late fifties let out a roaring appreciation to his conversations. Throughout the show he switched guitars, about 7 in all including a dobro. Several Gibson Les Pauls, a Rickenbacker and members of the Fender family, namely a Telecaster and Strat. Truly a pleasure to see the man take command of his instrument that included fat sound, clean sound, sustain and feedback not to mention the sharp licks and chord progressions.

Much credit is to be given to his band members on the this tour however, as these guys had John Fogerty sounding like he was at home with CCR when playing "Long as I can see light", "Lookin' out my backdoor", "Born on the bayou", "Bad moon risin" and several other classics. The group played several from "Blue Moon Swamp" and were excellent in doing so. I wish that all involved in the making the new CD could have toured with the band but that would have been one huge production, particulary the gospel singers on "A hundred and ten in the shade".

I've been a CCR and John Fogerty fan since those late sixties and proud to say the first band I ever saw live was this dynamic group. I almost missed this last show but caught a glimpse of a radio advertisement selling the show. I took my little sister who said after the show, "I felt like I was five years old all over again" and to experience the show at such a small venue made it all the better. Fogerty also enjoyed the setting when stating "All my life I always wanted to play in a little place like this".

Here's to all the old and new fans "Keep on Chooglin' "!!

Review by Randy Dalton

The lights went down and the harmonic feedback that starts Born on The Bayou went up. Creedence Clearwater Revival was captured in the guitar and the vocals unmistakeably the heart of CCR, John Fogerty.

From the Paramount Theatre in Denver, I watched standing between my two sons, what I will classify as the best of the concert I've seen. I shall never forget the 1970 and 1972 Creedence concerts I attended. I shall never forget the two CCRv concerts, thanks Stu. I must say that this was the best. This night was captured in the words of my two sons. The sixteen year old exclaims "What a difference. This is the best concert I've ever seen." My twelve year old has said at least two to three times a day since, "I wish we could go back to that night." I agree with both. Funny thing how the music ties the generations. Rap and Alternative, listen up.

John played roughly an hour of CCR. The entire performance was roughly two and a half hours. He performed songs from the Blue Ridge Rangers, Centerfield, and some of the best of BMS. The crowd was frenzied, and danced the night along with the tunes.

A much different Fogerty, at least with stage presence, performed on stage. John was at ease with his fans, both young and old. He told stories, talked with, and shook hands with many of us on the front row. My youngest son was singing along with every tune. HE KNEW ALL THE WORDS. During Blueboy, John watched him sing along. At the completion of the son, John brought over his pick, leaned down shook my 12 year olds hand and gave the pick to him.

Another front row fan hands Fogerty a harmonica. The fan informs John it has magic. John takes the harp up to the mike, talks to the crowd, and begins an impromptu jam with his group. The harmonica was back on the Fogerty stage.

I'm 42, John is 10 years my elder. You couldn't tell his age by his performance. He jumped, ran, pounced on the stage. It was lively.

His performance of S. Q. and I Put a Spell on You, was enhanced by his use of the Kustom amps from the sixties. Feedback, oh how I missed it. His Dobro was sharp and clear.

Would you believe two encores.

Denver cannot be said to be anti-Fogerty.

THE BEST - With special thanks to Bob Fogerty and Stuart at the sound table. I realized my long held dream. Meeting the man was a tremendous honor. The autographed tickets are hung in neat little frames in the room of each of my sons and yes, in my room, of course.

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