Mardi Gras

Performer: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: After knocking out an astonishing amount of work in just three years, CCR released their final album MARDI GRAS in 1971. In retrospect, it was probably time for them to disband. Interpersonal tensions had heightened, and all three members were pulling in different directions. These problems had taken their artistic toll on John Fogerty, whose songs no longer bore quite the same carefree, easy-as-falling-off-a-log feel as they had before. Certainly such tunes as "Tearin' Up The Country," "What Are You Gonna Do" and the album's sole hit "Sweet Hitch-Hiker" continue in the same stylistic vein as earlier albums, mining an idiosyncratic vein of American roots rock, but something was different. Reading between the lines of these infectious, well-crafted tunes, one could sense the psychic strain that would soon shatter the band. Let's be thankful that CCR had a swan song as memorable and consistently tuneful as MARDI GRAS.

Creedence Clearwater Revival seemed like something of an anomaly in the psychedelic 1960s. Far removed from the mind-expanding, flower-power explorations of their California contemporaries, they were a gritty, hard-hitting band respectful of their blues, country, and rock & roll roots. John Fogerty's cutting, raspy voice bore echoes of Howlin' Wolf and Little Richard as he delivered lyrics that alternately celebrated and bemoaned a working man's life. In a rare instance of art and commerce coinciding, CCR's stream of hit singles made them one of the most successful '60s rock bands. The band broke up acrimoniously in the early '70s, but Fogerty went on to a successful (if sporadic) solo career.

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