Disco de Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Willy And The Poor Boys”

By this time(1969-70), Creedence Clearwater Revival, under the leadership of John Fogerty was nigh on unbeatable in the singles charts(and their albums were pretty darn good,too). WILLY AND THE POORBOYS is an album based around the concept of a street corner band led by Willy (John Fogerty?). Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook and Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford, naturally, portray the Poor Boys.

DOWN ON THE CORNER - An introduction to Willy And the Poorboys. Down home funkiness by a band that strangely had never been down south.Great harmonies on the chorus.

IT CAME OUT OF THE SKY - A humorus rocker of a something falling out of the sky,landing on a good'ol boy's farm and the American public's knee jerk reactions to it. Love the line, "And Ronnie the popular said it was a Communist plot"!

COTTON FIELDS - Country rock version of the Leadbelly folk standard. This version walks all over the Beach Boys' attempt at it around the same time.

POORBOY SHUFFLE - Willy and crew having a washboard jam session.Makes you think it is a real band on the corner playing for pennies and dimes.

FEELIN' BLUE - Rock blues number with a swampy kick. Bass is low and muttering, courtesy of Stu Cook.

FORTUNATE SON - Raging anti war stormer about how the wealthy seemed to be contributing less to the Vietnam war effort than the poor, in men and money. You can feel the scorn and fury directed at the 'fat cats'in Fogerty's voice. Still packs a punch over thirty years later.

DON'T LOOK NOW - Pure country ditty basically stating, "If you want something done,do it yourself; 'cause no one else is gonna do it".

THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL - Another Leadbelly tune that Fogerty makes all his own. This is down south folk rock with a swamp rock twist and the harmonies are spellbinding.Good to sing along to.

SIDE O' THE ROAD - Blues shuffle jam session that shows the band's chops off to great effect.

EFFIGY - This could be about the Vietnam war and the power of the protest movement: "Silent majority weren't keepin' quiet anymore!" Whatever the case,this is a powerful way to end a powerful album. A must for your collection!

In an era when artists will take two or three years (and more) before releasing an album of new material, it is nothing short of astonishing that Willy and the Poor Boys was CCR's third album released in 1969! And more importantly, the songs are just as strong as on Bayou Country and Green River.

There were a couple of covers--both of them folk songs, Leadbelly's "Cotton Fields" and the traditional "Midnight Special." The rest were John Fogerty originals. While the two folk-blues instrumentals ("Poorboy Shuffle" and "Side O' the Road") are little more than enjoyable filler, the rest of the songs are all top notch, including the double A-side "Down On the Corner"/"Fortunate Son." The latter, a stinging attack on the disproportionate number of poor and working class serving combat duty in Vietnam, was chosen by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the all-time top 100 singles in 1988. It was to be the only single released from the album, however, since "Travelin' Band" would be released as CCR's new single three months later from their soon-to-be-released Cosmos Factory album. But I'm convinced that "It Came Out of the Sky" could have been a huge hit. [It's one of my favorite CCR tracks with its goofy UFO lyrics and razor-sharp guitar driving the song.]

CCR was one of those rare bands whose albums were every bit as good as their singles. As such, both volumes of Chronicles are excellent choices for the casual listener, but true fans will want to have the albums, and this one is a classic. ESSENTIAL

I recently replaced all my previous versions of this and all CCR's recordings (with the exception of Mardi Gras) with the remastered versions. The sound quality is greatly improved over the previous version of this and all their studio recordings.

As for the recording itself, this is a classic. All the songs are excellent, including the instrumentals. The songs flow together nicely from one song to the next, making it a complete listening experience. I love all their releases, with the exception of Mardi Gras, however, "Willy & The Poor Boys" remains my favorite because of how the songs are sequenced together and seem to have an overall theme.

My major complaint about the remastered versions of this and all their studio releases is on the packaging. One of the main reasons I spent a small fortune to purchase the remastered versions is so that I could have the original back cover photos of this and all their classic releases.

On all the previous CD releases of their studio recordings, the original back covers are missing. ... Maybe this is one of the type of reasons why John Fogerty has had a long and bitter fude with his former label.

On the new remastered versions, the long lost original back covers have finally been made available to the public in CD packagaing. Unfortunately, the wording of the song titles, band members names, & other notes, on this, and all their studio releases is TOO DAMN LARGE! The wording covers much of the back cover photos which is annoying & redundant, since this same info. is provided in the inside packaging. The back covers on the "Green River" & "Cosmo's Factory" releases is practically ruined because of this. Also, the wording on the back covers of all the new remastered studio releases is exactly the same size, which tells me that the record label is being cheap once again. Maybe they'll get it right on the next release of these classic recordings.

As for the liner notes, on this and other releases, I would have preferred to hear comments from the band members, instead of music critics, or at least a combination of the two. However, this probably isn't possible due to the bad blood between Fogerty and his former band mates & record label. However, I don't need to hear some music critic's opinion of what "innate good taste" in music is. Ed Ward's review of "Willy & The Poorboys" puts down the group Yes, and for that matter the whole "progressive" rock music scene. I think this is highly unfair, since both groups work in different musical areas. I happen to think both groups were great at what they did. They made great recordings in their heyday and have both stood the test of time. Isn't that what justifies what great music should be?

Willy And The Poor Boys(1969). Creedence Clearwater Revival's Fourth Album.

Much like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival was capable of shelling out an album every few months and enjoying immense commercial and critical success. With three multi-platinum albums behind them, Creedence Clearwater Revival released 'Willy And The Poor Boys'. In late 1969, 'Willy And The Poor Boys' hit #1 on the Albums Chart and the resulting singles, "Fortunate Son" and "Down On The Corner" became huge hits for the band. As always, CCR's careful blend of Blues, Folk, Country, 50's Rock, and Classic Rock helped the band became sensations in all kinds of music, and led by Fogerty's gravelly anti-pop vocals and wailing guitar, it's no surprise the band has gone down as legends. So, is 'Willy And The Poor Boys' another solid release from Creedence Clearwater Revival, or a career misstep? Read on to find out!

Track Ratings-

Down On The Corner- A big hit, "Down On The Corner" is a fun rocker that blends a catchy bassline with a Country/Rock beat. It's unlikely you won't be humming this to yourself!

It Came Out Of The Sky- You'd think this is Elvis or Buddy Holly, but you'd be wrong. CCR takes a stab at 50's rock, and with Fogerty's energetic guitar riff and humorous lyrics, you can't help but like it!

Cotton Fields- It's hard to believe these guys were from California! CCR blends an interesting mix of Country, Folk, and down-home Southern Rock to create a catchy little number.

Poorboy Shuffle- A harmonica instrumental. While it may just be filler, at least it's interesting.

Feelin' Blue- Much like a song you'd come to expect from B.B. King or Eric Clapton, CCR dishes out a bluesy rocker, and with Fogerty's addictive guitar melody and vocals, it's no surprise this is another winner. "Feelin' Blu-who-who-blue"!

Fortuneate Son- A direct protest against the Vietnam War, "Fortunate Son" spoke to millions after it became a huge hit. CCR adds a shaper edge to the song, and Fogerty's angry vocals remind me of heavier acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd or pre-Stevie Nicks Fleetwood Mac. It's no wonder this song became a huge hit....it rules!

Don't Look Now- Much like Bob Dylan, CCR blends Folk and Rock on "Don't Look Now", although it seems a little generic along with the other tracks. Not bad, just average.

The Midnight Special- Much slower and considerably quiter than most of CCR's music, "The Midnight Special" is still an energetic Blues-Rock song fulled to the brim with catchy vocals and guitarwork. A good song, just a little slower than most of CCR's stuff, although I wouldn't call this a "ballad".

Side O' The Road- A guitar driven, Fogerty produced instrumental. Need I say more? Fogerty shows why he's one of the 60's best guitarist, ranking right up there with Clapton and Hendrix. In case you didn't know, Creedence Clearwater Revival does have a few Progressive Rock songs on each album, and these last two songs fit the bill.

Effigy- 'Willy And The Poor Boy's longest track, "Effigy" is almost twice as long as every track. Much like the Doors or Iron Butterfly, "Effigy" is a casual mix of Psychadelic Folk Rock, mixed with Progressive elements and excellent musicianship. Fogerty + guitar = bliss!

Overall, 'Willy And The Poor Boys' is another winner from Creedence Clearwater Revival, one of the few bands from the Late 60's-Early 70's that I actually enjoy! Blending the catchy pop hooks of the Beatles and the instrumental talent of Cream, not to mention various influences from 50's Rock and Progressive Rock, CCR never fails to deliver! If you won't good, clean, fun, addictive, and enjoyable classic rock, look no further!

Killer Kuts- "Down On The Corner", "Fortunate Son", "Side O' The Road", and "Effigy".

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF CLASSIC ROCK, BLUES, FOLK, AND CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL! THESE GUYS RULE, YOU HAVE TO CHECK THEM OUT!

Also Recommended-

Cosmo's Factory- Creedence Clearwater Revival

Rubber Soul- The Beatles

Elvis Presley- Elvis Presley

Thanks For Reading!

I recently replaced all my previous versions of this and all CCR's recordings (with the exception of Mardi Gras) with the remastered versions. The sound quality is greatly improved over the previous version of this and all their studio recordings.

As for the recording itself, this is a classic. All the songs are excellent, including the instrumentals. The songs flow together nicely from one song to the next, making it a complete listening experience. I love all their releases, with the exception of Mardi Gras, however, "Willy & The Poor Boys" remains my favorite because of how the songs are sequenced together and seem to have an overall theme.

My major complaint about the remastered versions of this and all their studio releases is on the packaging. One of the main reasons I spent a small fortune to purchase the remastered versions is so that I could have the original back cover photos of this and all their classic releases.

On all the previous CD releases of their studio recordings, the original back covers are missing. Pretty [thrifty] Guys (Fantasy, Inc.)! Maybe this is one of the type of reasons why John Fogerty has had a long and bitter fude with his former label.

On the new remastered versions, the long lost original back covers have finally been made available to the public in CD packagaing. Unfortunately, the wording of the song titles, band members names, & other notes, on this, and all their studio releases is TOO [DARN] LARGE! The wording covers much of the back cover photos which is annoying & redundant, since this same info. is provided in the inside packaging. The back covers on the "Green River" & "Cosmo's Factory" releases is practically ruined because of this. Also, the wording on the back covers of all the new remastered studio releases is exactly the same size, which tells me that the record label is being [thrifty] once again. Maybe they'll get it right on the next release of these classic recordings.

As for the liner notes, on this and other releases, I would have preferred to hear comments from the band members, instead of music critics, or at least a combination of the two. However, this probably isn't possible due to the bad blood between Fogerty and his former band mates & record label. However, I don't need to hear some music critic's opinion of what "innate good taste" in music is. Ed Ward's review of "Willy & The Poorboys" puts down the group Yes, and for that matter the whole "progressive" rock music scene. I think this is highly unfair, since both groups work in different musical areas. I happen to think both groups were great at what they did. They made great recordings in their heyday and have both stood the test of time. Isn't that what justifies what great music should be?