Marchin' to Blarney

Background

"Marchin' to Blarney" was an instrumental track on Hoodoo, an unreleased solo album of John Fogerty that was due to come out in 1976. The Irish military march was written, produced and arranged by John Fogerty and engineered by Russ Gary and David Coffin.  Fogerty also played all the instruments by himself. Recorded at Wally Heider studios in San Francisco, the album was the last collaboration between Fogerty and Gary. 

Critical reception

"--- a typical Irish 'marching song' given the J.F. treatment. You get the impression of a huge band and a multitude of unidentifiable instruments banging out the tune with a vengeance!" -Mary P., Who'll Stop the Rain, Winter 1983. 

"Horrible! This one is an endless Irish instrumental -- that never would stood up to repeated spins. The military drumming gets so torturous that you can begin to see why you can buy any Pentangle album for 59c. Side one barely cuts it."  -Billy Miller, The Kicks, New York, Issue 3, Summer 1984.

"This is the only instrumental on the album and it's a simple tune backed by a maritime drum rhythm. Nothing special, but it grows on you, though..." -Wiebo de Wit, The CCR-Tribute, 1996

Fans' views

"I absolutely LOVE Marchin: To Blarney!  It is such a wonderful, mood-enhancing instrumental.  It can pick you up when you are feeling down, or blue, I guarantee."

"Stinking."

"Sounds like an Irish jig, but there's that happy banjo in the background-makin' beagles and kids git up and dance all over da room. Awesome fun!"