Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The strangest swan song of them all........, May 11, 2000
Creedence Clearwater Revival released their final album, 'Mardi Gras', four years after thier amazing self-titled debut rocketed them to superstardom. This album, was to be however, their most unique, misunderstood, and unsuccessful effort, commercially. It was however, the group's most ambitious album ever. This record never worked for several reasons: First, founding member, rhythm guitarist (and brother of frontman John)Tom Fogerty had already departed prior to this project; Also, Lead guitarist (and up until this album, the only vocalist)John Fogerty had finally relinquished his "lead man" duties to satisfy the musical urges of the two remaining members. The now trio split the songwriting and vocal duties equally. And finally, the formula of this record was doomed because the overall musical feel on this recording was a little unique for CCR - 1972 country, at a time when country simply wasn't cool. Aside from all that, this album should not be taken too seriously, considering its overall fun attitude and lightheartedness. True, this is definitely CCR's worst album, but it is a fun listen if you have an open ear. Lead guitarist John Fogerty was the most obvious example of country delvings in his songs. "Looking For A Reason" will probably remain the oddest choice ever by a constantly successful group for an opening track, and probably the weakest. It was pretty clear Fogerty's heart wasn't put into this album, as he was thinking of future ventures. Despite this, two of his four songs were the only tunes on this album to become minimal hits, and it is fair to say that "Sweet Hitch-Hiker" is an EXCELLLENT rock song. It is probably the only sign anywhere on 'Mardi Gras' of past Creedence triumphs. Bassist Stu Cook brought a unique flavor to this album with his songs. His vocals were mediocre at best, but his songwriting was intriguing at worst. Also, his tune "Door To Door", despite its ridiculous lyrics, was a pretty rocking song. Last but not least, drummer Doug Clifford brought the most enthusiasm and effort on this album. His voice was ear friendly, and harmonizes very well on songs like "Need Someone To Hold". Finally, I gave this album for one reason, and one reason only: Despite being CCR's ugly duckling, I gave this album MANY listens trying to like it and eventually, I did. If you are new to Creedence Clearwater Revival's music, this is definitely the worst representation of their musical legacy as a whole is. 'Mardi Gras' probably won't make a new listener a CCR fan, but it is a fun and care-free final album; perhaps the way all swan songs should be.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
There's a reason that this album is called Fogerty's revenge..., August 26, 2006
This is CCR's last album. Tom Fogerty had already left the band. Tom left because of John's dominance, and Stu Cook and Doug Clifford were aching to get their songs and voices heard. So John let Stu Cook and Doug Clifford share songwriting and production chores for this final album. It was a disaster for Stu and Doug, but not for John. Stu Cook and Doug Clifford's songs are, at worst, horrible, and, at best, just average. Musically, they're not bad, but they aren't exceptional, like John's are. Lyrically, they're horrible. Vocally, the songs are miles below horrible. Stu Cook has one of the worst voices I've ever heard, and Doug Clifford's voice is pretty bad too. The song Sail Away is actually hilariously bad, because Stu sings about as well as William Hung does. It makes me laugh more than most modern comedies. John Fogerty's contributions to the album, Lookin' for a Reason, Someday Never Comes, Sweet Hitchhiker, and the cover of Hello Mary Lou are great CCR songs. They are worth buying the CD for. But man, the rest of it sucks. Fogerty was doing Stu and Doug a favour by not letting them sing and/or write anything. It's a shame that they had to break up like this, but it had to be done...
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
CCR goes COUNTRY!, February 19, 2000
On their 7th album, CCR lost Tom Fogerty-- and for the first time, Stu Cook & Doug Clifford got to write & sing. The results are mixed... Cook's "Take It Like A Friend" and "Sail Away" are more irritating than ANY "questionable" tunes on the previous 6 albums-- but his "Door To Door" is a pretty good rocker (and "B" side). Clifford's "Need Someone To Hold" and "Tearin' Up The Country" are TOP-NOTCH! Fogerty's "Lookin' For A Reason" is in the same ballpark, and almost a preview of his next project. "Someday Never Comes" is a sad, honest look at family abandonment-- a good song, even if not one of my faves. John also does "Hello Mary Lou", though in this case the cover sounds a bit "stiff". Rick Nelson, though, would repay the favor 9 years later by doing one of John's songs on his PLAYING TO WIN album. Oh yeah, and leftover from the previous summer is one of my FAVORITE CCR singles-- "Sweet Hitch-Hiker". Probably the first CCR song I actually heard on the radio, my brother and I spent some time trying to figure out the name of this song! Considering John "stepped aside" here-- and after went on his own, it seems a shame his brother Tom left before this. Could CCR have "made it" as a real group effort had they stuck with it? This seems like a pretty decent "start". Sadly, we'll never know.
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