I Confess

Background

"I Confess" was the B-side of "Eye of the Zombie", the first 7" single John Fogerty released in 1986. It came out in August that year. It didn't chart. "I Confess" didn't make either Eye of the Zombie. Instead, it was released 24 years later on the 25th Anniversary CD re-issue of Centerfield 24 years later in summer 2010.  

The song was originally written by Teddy Vann and Nathaniel Nathan and recorded by The Rivers in December 1962.  

Personnel

Lead vocals, lead guitar, piano: John Fogerty

Drums: John Robinson

Bass: Neil Stubenhaus

Saxophone: Steve Douglas

Backing vocals: Bobby King, Terry Evans, Willie Greene Jr.

"I Confess" was the second collaboration between John Fogerty and Steve Douglas (1938-1993). The first one was the Showtime Special TV show session at Chaplin Stage, Hollywood, California, on January 31st, 1985. 

Collector's notes

The "Eye of the Zombie" b/w "I Confess" single was also released in Germany as a promotional item (Bellaphon 100-07-410-BZ 4105) in 1986. The cover sleeve is practically identical with the regular single release. 

The single (Warner-Pioneer P 2142) was released in Japan with a different cover sleeve in October.  

"Eye of the Zombie", coupled with "I Confess", was also launched as a 12" maxi single  in the USA (WB PRO-A-2514) and Germany (Bellaphon 120 07 210) in August 1986. The limited German edition came out on red vinyl. (Peter Koers, Green River: The Illustrated Discography, 1999).  

A UK maxi-single (WEA W8657 T) contained the songs "Eye of the Zombie", "I Confess" and "I Can't Help Myself". The pattern of the cover sleeve was similar to the US and German 12" but the colouring was different. 

Live versions

John Fogerty has played "I Confess" live only once: in Showtime Special at Chaplin Stage in Hollywood, California, on January 31st, 1985. It was aired by the HBO later in June same year. Personnel in the TV version included  Booker T. Jones (piano), Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass), Albert Lee (guitar), Prairie Prince (drums), Steve Douglas (sax) and others. 

Critical reception

"--- an excellent nonLP song, John uses the perfect amount of screaming in this song." -Adam Bryant.

"The bonus cuts, the Cajun-influenced party song My Toot Toot and the modern gospel of I Confess are both cover tunes culled from mid 1980's recording sessions that are getting their first official release. Although they are welcome additions to the Fogerty catalog, they stray from the content and quality of the album's original nine tracks - the real stars of this reissue." -Greg Yost, Country Standard Time, 2010.

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