#413 Creedence Clearwater Revival, 'Cosmo's Factory' (1970)

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Vying for the title of most prolific band of all time, CCR released 6 classic albums within the space of 2.5 years, before disbanding. To be honest, I’m surprised that this album didn’t make the list last time. There were 2 others in the previous countdown. This, their fifth album, was a major commercial success, with John Fogerty claiming that this might be their best-ever record.

It’s filled with classics; one of my favourite versions of the blues standard, ‘Before You Accuse Me’, their nod to Little Richard, ‘Travelin’ Band,’ ‘Lookin’ Out My Back Door,’ the Vietnam War-referencing ‘Run Through The Jungle’ & ‘Who’ll Stop The Rain’ and ‘Up Around The Bend.’ But the most important song on this record, for me, anyway, is ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine.’ When I was 15 I dedicated months to learning this song on guitar. From the beginning riff, to the chords and finally the guitar solo. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I actually wore this song out on the ‘Greatest Hits’ CD that I had bought to learn this song. I played it over and over everyday. The ‘Greatest Hits’ version was the radio edit and so until I heard this album for the first time, I never knew about the extended guitar solos. If I did, I’d probably still be sitting in my childhood bedroom trying to nail it. The album ends with the beautiful ‘Long As I Can See The Light.’ The band was at the top of their game with this album. They had just headlined Woodstock, don’t forget. But internally, they were imploding and the album following this one was when Tom Fogerty left the band. They were short lived, but gave us so many amazing songs.

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