Regent Theatre
Friday, March 28
A sparse crowd of youthful and mature swamp rockers foot-tapped, sang along, danced and cajoled the Credence Clearwater Collection’s rendition of their namesake’s repertoire.
Credence Clearwater Revival’s fame come out of the heady days of the hippie revolution in California but their roots lie in the bayou in the late 1950s, firstly as the Blue Velvets and then as their hair got longer, The Golliwogs.
The lead guitarist, John Fogerty at 14, displayed a fine Elvis Presley sleeked coiffure.
Moving into swamp, blues or country rock styles, CCR developed tight harmonies reminiscent of Crosby Stills and Nash and an image which echoes that of the Beatles before they disbanded in the early 1970s.
Fogerty continued in a solo career performing CCR standards.
CCR’s music has retained its charm and value across generations. Its infectious sing-along melodies and upbeat lyrics and its dance rhythms keep it surprisingly present in the memory.
The Credence Clearwater Collection comes out of Brisbane.
Vocalist Timothy Carter captures Fogerty’s signature voice quality, guitars Travis Hair and Ian Walker, bass Brett Wakeling, saxophone Gary Mulholland, piano Nick Muir and drums Rod Cain are experienced and consummate musicians.
Highlights include their performance of Born on the Bayou, Proud Mary, Green River and Up Around the Bend, Travelling Man, Did You Ever See the Rain?, Heard It On The Grapevine and Run Through The Jungle.
All played out against a backdrop of scenes from the Bayou; tornadoes, storms, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras vibrancy and psychedelics filled the stage.
Vocalist Carter’s banter with the audience which including howling at the moon, comparing our response to that of Christchurch, and a surfeit of sheep jokes did less to raise the temperature in the theatre than a ready supply of alcohol.
But, thankfully, the music carried the night.
