Get Down Woman

Background

“Get Down Woman” is an album track off the eponymous debut LP by Creedence Clearwater Revival.  The song was written by John C. Fogerty and recorded at Coast Recorders in San Francisco in winter 1968.

As a traditional bluesy swing-jazz song "Get Down Woman" is a tribute by John Fogerty to the old “swing-shuffle thing”. Fogerty took one little guitar riff and built the whole song around it. In an interview in 1969, Fogerty wasn't quite sure whether the song was loud and exciting enough for modern audience. As usual Fogerty and the band pulled it off with their usual panache and air of authenticity, even throwing in some of Fogerty’s good time piano licks in for good measure (but never overly loud in the mix!)

Equipment

John Fogerty used three-quarter-size Rickenbacker 325 guitars in the sessions for the first album. They had a Bigsby tremolo arm and a humbucker in each, the tremolos being switched out. One “Rick” was black, and the other sported a Fireglo finish. As for the amplifiers, his choice was the 100-watt Kustom K200.

Live performances

Creedence Clearwater opened their gigs with "Get Down Woman" at "Deno & Carlo's" (later "Keystone Korner") in San Francisco each week as per February 2nd until April 28th 1968.  

John Fogerty hasn't played the song live during his solo era. 

Critical reception

"--- the generic blues cover 'Get Down Woman' has its hooks, but not a lot of these ---." -George Starostin. 

Fans' views

"Just a killer blues song ... I especially like the introductory guitar solo."

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