The Blue Ridge Rangers: Rides Again by John Fogerty Review

John Fogarty no longer has to prove he can write killer songs, so, he resurrects his Blue Ridge Rangers for a collection of mostly covers.  And, you don't have to listen to those early CCR records very long to realize Fogarty always was a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.   His follow up to the 2007's excellent Revival album. The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again is essentially the sequel to his 1973 album, you guessed it, The Blue Ridge Rangers.  That album was his first solo record after the demise of that obscure little band, Credence Clearwater Revival.  Since CCR was considered kind of a swamp rock band, Fogarty distanced himself from that with his album of country covers (including songs like Jambalya by Hank Williams, which was a hit off that album).  And even though he promoted as a band, truth is ole John played all the instrument on that album.

The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again is somewhat more of the same, with a John Fogarty tune thrown in, except he doesn't play all the instruments this time.  I reckon being 64 years old might have had something to do with that.  But, surprisingly his voice hasn't changed much,  I would have thought his rough baritone would be worn out by now, but nope. He sounds great.

There is an eclectic mix of tracks here, split between country, rockabilly and some 70's pop.  It's all good.

If you remember what a hard edge CCR tended to have (Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising), you might be surprised how relaxed Fogarty sounds on The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again.  And it all starts with song number uno, a cover of John Prine's Paradise, as he drifts as peacefully through the song as a journey down the green river.

Next is that Delaney & Bonnie classic, Never Ending Song of Love, with it's hoe-down vibe and the same infectious, laid back melody as the original.  A toe-tapper for sure.

Rick Nelson's Garden Party is the perfect opportunity for Fogarty to bring his Eagles pals, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmidt, so he does.  Their sweet harmonies make this a stand out track and a wonderful tribute to Nelson.  That's fitting since it was Fogarty who inducted the late Nelson into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

I Don't Care(Just as Long as You Love Me) is, of course, an old Buck Owens tune, lovingly brought back to life by Fogarty in a sweet way one couldn't have imagined from him 30 years ago.

And if you want evidence Mr Fogarty might be a bit more mellow in his old age, just listen to his cowboy cover of John Denver's Back Home Again.  His rendition is just as warm at the light in her eyes that made him feel that way.

Lest we forget his swamp rock roots, John resurrects Change in The Weather from 1986's Eye of the Zombie album and reminds he's still capable of bringin' it to the house.  This is the John Fogarty we grew up with right here.

He even covers some southern gospel here, with The Kendalls Heaven's Just a Sin Away, and though he sounds more like the Everly Brothers than the Kendalls, it's an enjoyable little gospel ride.

Fogarty even covers Gene Simmons' (No, not THAT Gene Simmons) 60's novelty rockabilly hit,  Haunted House and raises the roof a little bit doing it.

Finally, he teams with Bruce Springsteen for a rather raucous version of that Everly Brothers classic When Will I Be Loved.  Both sound like they are having a great time doing it and I think I might actually pefer it to the Linda Ronstadt version.

THE BOTTOM LINE

John Fogarty has always been one of America's most distinctive voices and, at age 64 it's still in fine form.  There's nothing earth shattering or ground breaking on The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again, but it is a nice little piece of nostalgia that anyone who likes Fogarty and maybe some who normally don't will enjoy.  It's only surprising such a legendary songwriter would record other writers' if you are unaware of what a music lover John Fogarty has always been.   He maybe more relaxed here but, it's always good to hear John Fogarty, even a kinder, gentler one.  GRADE: B+