Day 8: Long As I Can See The Light

Hello hello, we're just gonna jump right into things today. I'd like to introduce you to rock/swamp rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. CCR reached the peak of their success around 1969-70, even performing as one of the headline acts at Woodstock '69. At the top of their success, lead man John Fogerty's controlling ways created a divide in the group causing them to disband. John Fogerty has the distinction of writing Proud Mary which CCR performed and notched at #2 on the Billboard charts, of course Tina Turner later recorded the song making many forget the original artist. CCR also has the distinction of having the most #2 hits without ever reaching #1 on the Billboard charts. Creedence also contributed their hit Fortunate Son to the stellar Forest Gump Soundtrack.

Song: Long As I Can See The Light
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Cosmo's Factory (1970)

Cosmo's Factory was a rare gem, reaching #11 on the Billboard Soul Charts, quite an accomplishment for a popular white rock band. With a nicely done cover of a song made popular by Marvin Gaye (Heard It Through The Grapevine) and today's title track the presence of soul is easily felt and heard. Few vocalists could stand in for John Fogerty on Long As I Can See The Light and do the song any justice whatsoever. Fogerty sings from the toes, delivering just the type of screeching, soulful, gritty performance that he is known for. Just listen as he fights to keep each line of the song alive as long as possible, adding numerous stirring syllables to the ends. Creedence strays from their typical instrumentation with beautiful results adding the saxaphone, which acts as backup vocalist for John at times. Bassist Stu Cook moseys along adding a biting one-two punch when paired with the slow but sure drumming of Doug Clifford. Tom Fogerty, who normally drives the band with his infectious riffs, takes a back seat adding fleeting, complimentary, sentiments on guitar. All in all, this soulful effort from the normally rockin' Creedence Clearwater, is sure to infiltrate your ears and penetrate your heart.

Listen to it here

Lyrics can be viewed here

If you liked Long As I Can See The Light be sure to listen to Have You Ever Seen The Rain?, Fortunate Son, Up Around The Bend, and Down On The Corner.

Still want more? Get Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits

Well, that's it for now. See ya on the flip side!