Tom Fogerty/Excalibur [Import]

tom fogerty/excalibur [import]

Track Listings

1. Legend of Alcatraz

2. Lady of Fatima

3. Beauty Is Under the Skin

4. Wondering

5. My Pretty Baby

6. Train to Nowhere

7. Everyman

8. Me Song

9. Cast the First Stone

10. Here Stands the Clown

11. Goodbye Media Man, Pts. 1-2 [#][*]

12. Forty Years

13. Black Jack Jenny

14. Rocky Road Blues

15. Faces, Places, People

16. Get Funky

17. Sick and Tired

18. Sign for the Devil

19. Straight and Narrow

20. Next in Line

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Two complete solo LPs for the Fantasy label by the late Creedence Clearwater Revival guitarist together on one CD, his 1972 self-titled debut & his 1973 sophomore outing, respectively. Contains all cuts from when the records were first released, for a combined total of 21 selections. Also features the original cover art of each. 1999 release.

Tom Fogerty/Excalibur,Tom Fogerty,Zyx Records,Folk-Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop,Roots Rock,Singer/Songwriter

Tom Fogerty/Excalibur [Import]

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Fogerty's last solo LP and a grab bag of Ruby's

Deal It Out/Precious Gems
Tom Fogerty
Manufacturer: Zyx Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Zephyr National/Myopia
Tom Fogerty/Excalibur

ASIN: B00000JJ98
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

Champagne Love
Why Me
Real Real Gone
Tricia Suzanne
Mystery Train
Deal It Out
Open the Window
You Move Me
Secret
Summer Night
Running Back to Me
Life Is But a Dream
Mistreater
Run With Your Love
Bart
Take Me Back to London
Can You Really Say
Singin' the Blues
Dance All Night
Judy Lee [*]

Album Description

Two complete solo LPs for the Fantasy label by the late Creedence Clearwater Revival guitarist together on one CD, originally released in 1981 & 1985, respectively. Contains all cuts from both records, plus the single-only side 'Judy Lee' as a bonus track. 20 tracks total. Also features the original cover art. 1999 release.

Album Details

Twofer Reissue of 1981 and 1985 Releases from the Late Creedence Clearwater Revival Rhythm Guitarist.

Customer Reviews:

Fogerty's last solo LP and a grab bag of Ruby's.......2005-12-25

This European release couples two LPs issued on the Fantasy label, Tom Fogerty's 1981 LP "Deal It Out", with a 1985 compilation, entitled "Precious Gems", which is made up of recordings from the two LPs that Tom and his band, Ruby, cut between 1976-78.
The first 10 tracks on this disc make up the "Deal It Out" LP. After Ruby, his band from the late 70's, was history, Tom Fogerty retired to the hills of California, and gave up on music. During his time in seclusion, he was approached by a band called "Festival", who asked him about the possibilty of recording together. As it turned out, they would be offering their services as a backing band, on what resulted in the "Deal It Out" LP, released in 1981.
"Deal It Out" used many musicians, as opposed to Tom's earlier LPs, which featured basic units built around local players. In addition to Festival, members from Van Morrison's band were on board to help out. Unfortunately, they also decide to take care of post-production work, and Festival's members assert that the finished product doesn't resemble the preliminary mixes at all.
Enough nit-picking, "Deal It Out" starts off with a Clifford/Fogerty composition - "Champagne Love", which we assume materialized during the CCR reunion at Tom's wedding the year previous. Who knows? This track could have passed for a country single in its day, in light of Tom's voice and what passed as country... but it wasn't promoted and disappeared promptly. "Why Me" is a slow track, I generally don't listen to it so much, but the "slow groovers" might catch it. "Real Real Gone" is a Van Morrison cover, and it's entertaining to hear Tom emulate Morrison's voice. "Tricia Suzanne" is about Tom's 2nd wife, whom he had just married the year previous, and would remain with for the rest of his life. "Mystery Train" is a decent, if not remarkable cover of the Elvis staple. The title track, "Deal It Out" resembles, lyrically, Tom's work of old, although it was written by one of the backing musicians. "Open The Window" would have made a decent single cut, and a second Morrison cover is found in "You Move Me", another number done competently. "The Secret" is Tom's only other track as sole writer, and he addresses in short order, how he feels about his relation in the spotlight to his brother. Alas, it's a secret! "Summer Night" is another good track, slow and quiet, but it works better than "Why Me", and it an excellent closer. Success!
"Deal It Out" disappeared and never made a dent in the charts. It would be the last of his LP's Tom would see released in his life. A final LP, recorded in 1988 under the name "Rainbow Carousel" would not be issued until 1992, two years after Tom's death, as "Tom Fogerty & Randy Oda - Sidekicks".
"Precious Gems" is a compilation of cuts from Ruby's two LPs, "Ruby" and "Rock 'n' Roll Madness", issued in 1976 & 1977, respectively, on the small PBR International label, whose only claim to fame is that they issued the illegit David Wigg "Beatles Tapes" set here in the US.
Ruby was a sort of rock-disco-funk band comprised of Tom Fogerty, asian Randy Oda, and two black musicians, Bobby Cochran, drummer, and Anthony Davis, on bass. All of the members shared vocal duties. Perhaps one of the things about Ruby, is that the view is generally shared that it was Tom's band, but most of the highlights don't come from him. The compilation doesn't draw on some of those stronger tracks ("Starry-Eyed" comes to mind), but does, in all fairness, show the talents of the other members, allowing such 'gems' to shine.
Oddly enough, the tracks here haved been drastically remixed! Quite unusual, considering that in '84 this band had been gone for six years... Still odd is the fact that such an obscure band would be chronicled with a comp in the first place...
The music on this album would probably been an acquired taste, but I like it, however, anyone who bought the other Tom Fogerty albums might be disappointed in the music of Ruby, it does reak strobe lights, mirror balls and platform shoes...
And this CD includes, as a bonus track, the first Ruby single, "Judy Lee", which was issued on Tom's "Ginseng" label, which quietly died after said release.
This CD is pricey, and quality doesn't compensate. Someone was careless with the cheapo, PC-based noise reduction functions. However, despite the fact that it totally destroyed the other Tom Fogerty CDs, it doesn't really get in the way here. Digital recordings, I guess, produced results that needed little tweaking...
Liner notes? A measly (and incorrect) discography and whoever pressed these reissues felt the urge to credit Tom's late-70's band Ruby as the backing musicians on every album Tom ever did... All of the CDs in the Tom Fogerty reissue series suffer the same fate, but apparently someone did correct the error, and a very informative credit listing appears on the back of some copies...
Artwork? Front covers, only. What you see on here is all you get... All of the Tom Fogerty reissues from ZYX suffer the same fate. Repetitive packaging.
Buy it for the music, nothing else...

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Tom Fogerty - Randy Oda Perfect Partners
Tom's Swan Songs

Sidekicks
Tom Fogerty , and Randy Oda
Manufacturer: Fantasy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Very Best of Tom Fogerty

ASIN: B000000XEA
Release Date: 1993-01-25

Tracks:

Rainbow Carousel
Money Buys It (Funky Side Of Town)
Video Girl
Woman Of The Year
Clearwater Rain
Teardrops
We've Been Here Before
Sometimes
Sloop John B.
Unbearable Lightness Of Being

Customer Reviews:

Tom Fogerty - Randy Oda Perfect Partners.......2003-09-09

This was Tom's last album and it was his most experimental. He wasn't trying to duplicate the Creedence sound. He was trying to avoid the comparison with his brother John, which is impossible.
Tom felt that John did the Creedence thing very well and wanted to try music that he felt from his heart. I think it is an excellent tribute to a man who had his own vision of music he wanted to create. Tom Fogerty we will miss you forever. Keep rockin!!!

Tom's Swan Songs.......2000-03-17

As a Creedence Clearwater Revival devoted follower since 1969, I feel that I am qualified to review this album. First, let me qualify my review by stating that I like songs by both John and Tom Fogerty, and Tom's early stuff is good, as is the material with Ruby (also including Randy Oda). I was anxiously awaiting the release of this CD, especially the song "Clearwater Rain," which seemed an intriguing title with visions of swampy, vibrato tinged guitar riffs and bayou styled lyrics. I must say that I was deeply disappointed in the song, in that the melody is easily forgotten, and that it is an instrumental with nothing to bring back fond (or otherwise) memories of CCR. I also found the rest of the album disappointing, and can honestly say that everytime I put it on to try to find something that I might have missed, I find nothing. I am sad to say that I can only recommend this to the die-hard Tom Fogerty fans, and would rather steer you towards any of the other material available on CD such as "Myopia," "Zephyr National," "Excalibur," or his "Best of..." CD. Sorry Tom, Rest in Peace.

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check this out too
Sensational and refreshing album!
Another Fogerty With Talent
Dullsville...
You are missed, Tom

The Very Best of Tom Fogerty
Tom Fogerty
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sidekicks
The Blue Ridge Rangers

ASIN: B00000JNNQ
Release Date: 1999-07-27

Tracks:

Goodbye Media Man
The Legend Of Alcatraz
Lady Of Fatima
Beauty Is Under The Skin
Everyman
Rocky Road Blues
(Hold On) Annie Mae
Joyful Resurrection
Give Me Another Trojan Song
What Did I Know
Sweet Things To Come
And I Love You
Champagne Love
Tricia Suzanne
Mystery Train
Deal It Out
Sometimes
Sloop John B.

Customer Reviews:

check this out too.......2006-07-08

I am a huge fan of John Fogerty's solo music and his music with CCR. If you enjoy his roots-rock style then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1) 24 Hours A Day by The Bottle Rockets
2) Chooglin': A Tribute To The Songs Of John Fogerty
3) Banjos and Sunshine by Sixty Acres
4) Trace by Son Volt

Sensational and refreshing album!.......2004-12-10

This album brings us the best memories of Fogerty in his successful period with the Credence Clearwater Revival . What a sincere country ballads , filled with charm , humor and expressiveness , specially Everymen , Champagne love , The legend of Alcatraz, Joyful resurrection , Mistery train , and I love you
I guess you will share so nice and great moments with your closed friends with this superb album .

Another Fogerty With Talent.......2004-11-25

John Fogerty certainly stands as a integral part of rock n roll especially as the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival. However, lost in the mix was his older brother Tom Fogerty. While with Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Fogerty's role was limited to playing rhythm guitar. Out of frustration, Tom quite CCR and recorded several solo CD's.

Whereas on a commercial basis, Tom Fogerty's solo career did not flourish, on an artistic basis there is plenty of creativity on many of the tracks of this greatest hits collection. Tom actually sounds like a sweeter version of his more famous brother which is good in its own way. And there are some catchy tunes in this compilation.

Joyful Resurection is loaded with strong hooks and steady keyboards and not too mention good background vocals by none other than Doug Clifford and Stu Cook. Brother John contributes guitar on here as well. This song would have been a great single if it were released on Pendulum and maybe Creedence would have had a longer life span.

Another highlight include the trippy Goodbye Media Man. The organ soloing by Merl Saunders is just awesome. Steady drumming and guitar playing just add to the experience. The Legend of Alcatraz, Just Another Trojan Song, Sometimes, and Champagne Love are other songs that are strong on melody. Jerry Garcia adds some good guitar on a couple of other songs.

For those old time Creedence Clearwater fans who think John Fogerty was the main talent might find that older brother Tom had some noteworthy talents in his day.

Dullsville..........2004-08-15

Tom Fogerty quit Creedence Clearwater Revival in early 1971 because he wasn't allowed to contribute vocals and material. His solo career (as well as CCR's final album, Mardi Gras) proved to the world that John Fogerty was the brains behind the band. OK, so John was a dictator, but could CCR have had such a wildly successful career without that type of talent, vision and leadership?
Anyhow, despite all the talk about being the "original lead singer and writer" for the Blue Velvets (what the band called themselves in the early 1960s), Tom Fogerty has no distinct vocal style, or particularly strong songwriting ability. (But then neither did the Grateful Dead, and look how successful they were.) So his entire solo catalog suffers from generic writing, arrangements and vocals, and a serious lack of passion.
It's a shame that Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford couldn't get the "singer/songwriter" ideas out of their systems by issuing solo albums, but sadly, in the early 1970s there was no such thing as making a solo album while staying in the band. (One good thing Phil Collins did for the music industry.) So, instead of being happy supplying the above-average musicianship required for an A-list band like Creedence, here's a "best of" from another rock star who never understood that you're either born a Johnny Carson or an Ed McMahon. (But maybe it was tough working in his little brother's shadow.) That said, he IS a stronger vocalist than Doug Clifford and (especially) Stu Cook.

You are missed, Tom.......2003-10-28

If you have any doubt as to Tom Fogerty's invaluable contribution to Creedance Clearwater Revivial, just simply remember the group's material AND popularity just plummeted after his departure. And if you are not aware of just how prolific the man was following his departure, then do yourself a favor and purchase this CD. True, it ain't Creedance, but, given how badly Creedance stunk on their final two albums, maybe that's all right. And if you insist: listen to the track, "Joyful Resurrection" on this CD (or the "Zephyr National" album from whence that song originally came), and you will swear that that "MUST have been a track from 'Cosmo's Factory'!" 'Course...as "Zephyr National" was the ONLY album ever released by ANY ex-member of Creedance that all four of the guys played on, well... And you'll be pleasantly surprised at the...well...magnitude of Tom's voice and talent. Don't get me wrong, I still firmly believe that John Fogerty is one of America's greatest national resources, but DO be fair and just listen to the fact that he wasn't the ONLY Fogerty with the voice OR the songs. And as a long-time fan of liner notes, those included with this CD are some of the very best I've ever read (I didn't even KNOW that Tom had passed away.) RIP, Tom Fogerty; if there's any justice in this world, maybe this CD will give you your just due.

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A Creedence Reunion and a Last Stab at Pop Success
Fun, Clean, Simple, Rock, Blues, Folk and yes, Carribean!

Zephyr National/Myopia
Tom Fogerty
Manufacturer: Zyx Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Deal It Out/Precious Gems
Tom Fogerty/Excalibur

ASIN: B00000JJ99
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

It's Been a Good Day
Can You Feel It, Baby?
Mystic Isle Avalon
Reggie
Money (Root the Root)
Hot Buttered Rum
Joyful Resurrection
Heartbeat
Fate
Goin' Back to Okeefe Nokee
Give Me Another Trojan Song
What Did I Know
Theme from Four-D - Tom Fogerty, Valley Boys
Sweet Things to Come - Tom Fogerty, Valley Boys
What About Tomorrow
She la la La - Tom Fogerty, Valley Boys
And I Love You - Tom Fogerty, Valley Boys
Get Up
There Was a Time
Show Down - Tom Fogerty, Valley Boys

Album Description

Two complete solo LPs for the Fantasy label by the late Creedence Clearwater Revival guitarist together on one CD, originally released in 1974 & 1975, respectively. Contains all of the cuts from when the records first came out, for a combined total of 20 selections. Also features the original cover art of each. 1999 release.

Album Details

Twofer Reissue of 1974 and 1975 Releases from the Late Brother of John Fogerty.

Customer Reviews:

A Creedence Reunion and a Last Stab at Pop Success.......2006-01-29

This CD, released in Europe only, brings forth two LPs, from 1974 by Tom Fogerty. "Zehpyr National" and "Myopia".
Tom Fogerty left CCR in 1971 to pursue a solo career after becoming aware that he would never get his time in the light as long as John was around. He charted a single, issued an album and followed it up with a clunker. 1973 found Tom contemplating the next move. One gets the feeling that "next move" may have been to take CCR back from John...
Tom went back into the studio, armed with a handful of short, two-minute pop songs and a crew that included Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and... who? John Fogerty?
The resulting album, "Zephyr National" raises as much questions to Tom's intent as it does to whose involved. Was Tom trying to get the band back together and show he could lead? Did John really play guitar on "Joyful Resurrection"? For the record, the guys DID NOT play TOGETHER during the recording of this album. That's right. They recorded their tracks at separate times. Sorry.
Before we get into any wild speculation, let's get to the songs.
The opener, "It's Been A Good Day" is short and sweet, and Tom spends that time telling us that it surely has "been a good day". It's goofy, no two ways around it, and its funny to hear the Stovall Sisters (remember them? They were on Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit In The Sky"!) telling us it's been "such a good day" and oohing and aahing behind Tom. Yes, yes, the mood is conveyed. "Can You Feel It, Ras" (The guys who compiled this CD decided Ras must be "Baby", so disregard...) makes no sense, but thankfully, it's only little over a minute and a half. "Mystic Isle Avalon", a single, I'm afraid to say... John Fogerty (yes, I told you he was here!) plays lead guitar, Doug Clifford puts his trademark touch on the percussion and Stu Cook holds a beat while Tom sings some of the most dumbest lyrics I've ever heard. How do you merge King Arthur and Avalon with... leprechauns? Worst part of all is, this song is VERY catchy... "Reggie" was the b-side to "Avalon", and features steel drums from Andy Narell, or Jeff, depending on who you believe... he was on Moby Grape's "20 Granite Creek" album... anyway, back to the song, it makes some sense, more than "Avalon", but it's very repetitive (I use that word in regard to Tom's music a lot, don't I?). "Money (Root The Root)", Tom wants to tell us about money, but never actually does... Tom also wants to tell us how to make "Hot Buttered Rum" but never gets around to all of the ingredients. "Joyful Resurrection" is the one song most CCR fans believe to be his best. I concur. I almost can't believe he wrote the song. The lyrics are unusually strong, and he is really trying hard to sound like you-know-who. Controversy arises over who the guitarist here is. Tom has said it was John, only to say later it wasn't, and Jeff Fogerty, Tom's son, says John does indeed play. General consensus - Stu Cook. "Resurrection" was issued as a single, and while it didn't make Billboard, it peaked at #92 in Cashbox. "Heartbeat" was the b-side of "Resurrection", and I really can't find anything to say about it, other than John does provide some minimal guitar to it. "Fate" is a nice country tune, in a waltz time, and the lyrics are pretty good until we get to the part about the "knights and the doctors" and nothing has anything to do with the first verse's words... "Goin' Back To Okefenokee" (yes the CD cover butchers the spelling) is another repetitive number (yes, I had to use that word again) saved only by John's leads. The song also runs shorter on this CD because some goofball decided to lop off the finish.
"Zephyr National" is a short album. Just under twenty five minutes. Next time you have "Pendulum" on the deck, you might slip this in. The sound on this album is very reminiscent of that LP, especially in the use of winds and electric piano. Maybe Tom was trying to transport us back to a magical time when he was fading from the picture...
"Myopia" is probably the best album Tom did. Russ Gary, an old CCR co-hort, was involved in writing and arranging. Maybe Tom just needed the proper motivation? The album, like "Zephyr National", starts off with a goofy, almost dumb number in "Give Me Another Trojan Song" - what is Tom trying to say? Any suggestions? Nah, forget it, because "What Did I Know" immediately follows. A forlorn, country-style tune (with steel licks) whose lyrics actually have some substance, could've been a small time single, much along the lines of "Next In Line" off of "Excalibur"... "Theme From Four-D" I just don't get, is this Tom Fogerty's answer to Bob Dylan's "Wigwam"? Don't even stop to ponder it, "Sweet Things To Come" makes up for it, even if it is a "Peggy Sue" rip-off. But I like it and never skip in when I have this disc out. "What About Tomorrow" remind me of "Train To Nowhere" off of the "Tom Fogerty" album (not to mention "Theme From Four-D" off this same album, you'll see what I mean) and features a long instrumental section that you can really get into. "Sha La La La" is goofy in a charming way, and Tom tries to plow the grounds that he would just months later with Ruby, his new band. "and I Love You" happens to be a strong track and "Get Up" is straight-up funky, and Tom sounds like he's got a point. I think the lyrics are cool, myself. Simple, but cool. "There Was A Time", in which Tom Fogerty looks back on life and how things have changed and have gotten harder. Maybe he's talking about the long road through leading your own band, having your kid brother take over, then leaving for a less-than-successful solo career? I like the lyrics and the way Tom sings them... "Show Down" is a high-energy number, and Tom seems to be attempting to address internal conflicts. Seems like the kind of song that closes an album that will be followed up sometime soon, not seven years later.
This CD is pricey, and quality doesn't compensate. Someone was careless with the cheapo, PC-based noise reduction functions. Neither album has any ambience. The NR totally kills the treble and makes it even muddier, and removes all traces of reverb. I wish all of the tracks would have ben hissy as opposed to being too sterile.
Liner notes? A measly (and incorrect) discography and whoever pressed these felt the urge to credit Tom's late-70's band Ruby as the backing musicians... All of the CDs in the Tom Fogerty reissue CDs suffer the same fate, but apparently someone did correct the error, and stated that John Fogerty not only played guitar but also sang, too!
Artwork? Front covers, only. What you see on here is all you get... All of the Tom Fogerty reissues from ZYX suffer the same fate. Repetitive packaging.
Buy it for the music, nothing else...

Fun, Clean, Simple, Rock, Blues, Folk and yes, Carribean!.......2003-05-12

They just don't make albums like this anymore. Or do they? Sure, this disc sounds "dated." But it's pure and true music. CCR, in which Tom Fogerty was basically a side-man, has a more "timeless" quality, where this disc may not be generally as likeable. But I like these Tom Fogerty's albums more than I like Creedence's "Pendulum" album.

Though there are 2 albums on 1 disc, the total length is still under 54 minutes. So, its sounds like 1 continuous album.

Tom Fogerty's vocals aren't as strong as his brother John's. But I'm not picky about it and I actually enjoy Tom's vocals.

If you're like me and are a fan of late 60's and 70's music, this disc might please you. The lyrics can be simple and a bit corny at times. But I like it that way myself!

One thing that surprises me is the lack of acoustic guitar on many songs. It seems he mostly plays the electric rhythm. This is odd since he seemed to use the acoustic more in Creedence. Depending on what you like, that could be a good or bad thing.

The production quality could have been better. The production on CCR albums was definitely superior to Tom's albums. The drums sound a bit flat and dead at times. There's very little reverb on these songs. To me, a little more reverb can give a song more "life" to it. But it was a common practice to get that "dead" studio sound in many 70's albums.

Tracks:

Legend of Alcatraz
Lady of Fatima
Beauty Is Under the Skin
Wondering
My Pretty Baby
Train to Nowhere
Everyman
Me Song
Cast the First Stone
Here Stands the Clown
Goodbye Media Man, Pts. 1-2 [#][*]
Forty Years
Black Jack Jenny
Rocky Road Blues
Faces, Places, People
Get Funky
Sick and Tired
Sign for the Devil
Straight and Narrow
Next in Line
(Hold On) Annie Mae

Album Description

Two complete solo LPs for the Fantasy label by the late Creedence Clearwater Revival guitarist together on one CD, his 1972 self-titled debut & his 1973 sophomore outing, respectively. Contains all cuts from when the records were first released, for a combined total of 21 selections. Also features the original cover art of each. 1999 release.

Album Details

Twofer Reissue of 1972 and 1973 Releases from the Late Brother of John Fogerty and Creedence Alumni.

Customer Reviews:

Tom Fogerty leaves CCR and Declares Independence.......2005-12-25

This European release couples two LPs issued on the Fantasy label, Tom Fogerty's 1972 self-titled release, with the 1973 follow-up, entitled "Excalibur".
In 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the hottest groups around. They'd charted many top 10's, moved thousands of units, and had toured the world over. Many hailed them as the American response to the Beatles. Then, early that year, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty left, frustrated by the lack of allowed involvement in the affairs of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The fact that Tom was on his way out was saddeningly obvious on their "Pendulum" album. Keyboards and saxes (courtesy of younger brother John) dominated and rhythm guitar, when it did appear, was given a backseat.
In 1971, a single entitled "Goodbye Media Man" appeared. It was the first solo recording out of CCR's membership. It's date, "17th of June, 1971" proudly displayed on the label, perhaps signifying a "declaration of independence" of Tom Fogerty from his little brother's dominance. "Media Man" creeped up to a disappointing #103 on the Billboard charts, but, hey, doesn't everyone work their way up?
Later that year, free from CCR, Tom Fogerty began work on his first solo LP. Immediately after departing Creedence, Tom began gigging with Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders, and not surprisingly, Saunders, and gig-mates Bill Vitt and John Kahn, made up the backing band on this album. Tom handled all guitars, and, as such, no strong leads are present. But, that's a good thing. The songs here are lilting and melodic.
Opening this first LP from Tom is "The Legend of Alcatraz", a nice and melodic tune that might not have been a single, but is definitly a proper opener for this record. "Lady of Fatima" is a nicely playing jam between the musicians, and I find it to be a high-water mark on the album if you don't think so much of its crud lyrics. "Beauty Is Under The Skin" screams R&B single while "Wandering" is perhaps a throwback to the psych lyrics of the 60's, and "My Pretty Baby" is an homage to 50's vocal groups with Tom singing all the vocals, ala multitrack (think "Workin' On a Buildin'" by brother John) sparsely accompanied by Russ Gary's acoustic guitar. "Train To Nowhere" is a pleasant, loping number that is the longest song on the album, with nicely metered playing by Saunders and a fine vocal by Tom. "Everyman" is a country-style ballad with rollicking piano playing from Saunders and Tom gives a harmonica solo. This track sounds like it was cut by a bunch of guys who were having fun, and its my favorite on the album. "The Me Song" finds Tom addressing, perhaps, the things forced upon him that he doesn't want from superstardom, and "Cast The First Stone" (the album's single, by the way) seems to be Tom taking a jibe at John, with some percussional work from Billy Mundi. Things come to a close (with a beautiful closer!) with "Here Stands The Clown". A brief track, to be sure, but the beauty of how Tom works it...
This would be Tom's best selling album. It peaked at a meager #180 and would mark the last album chart appearance. The album produced no charting singles.
"Excalibur", Tom's second album, was issued in 1973. It would be an understatement to say that Tom's style had changed by this point. Jerry Garcia augmented the group which played on the first album. This would be one of the last albums to feature Garcia's pedal steel work, for those collector's out there...
"Forty Years" opens the album. A long, lost and forgotten piece of country-rock, here's a gem waiting to be discovered again. Garcia supplements the tune with his pedal steel guitar playing. Merl Saunders provides fitting piano. This song is worth, on its own, tracking down the LP. "Black Jack Jenny" is a return to Creedence's up-tempo formula, but with some rather uninspired playing from Garcia and lyrics that just don't mesh. "Rocky Road Blues" is a cover of a Bill Monroe bluegrass number, but Tom turns it into a repetitive tune, much in the style of his own that you wouldn't know a legend wrote it or that a good musician was playing it. Fogerty does sing it very decently but once again Garcia just isn't using any imagination. "Faces, Places, People" is one of the high-points of "Excalibur" and a dark one at that. Garcia hits his psych stride as Tom vocalizes some pain-wrentched lyrics. What he's singing of, I don't know, but obviously, it means something to him. "Get Funky" seems a random throwaway and "Sick and Tired" is a cover that Garcia, Saunders and Fogerty had been doing live. "Sign of the Devil" (incorrectly listed as "Sign For The Devil") is snooze-ville and "Straight and Narrow" goes on for too long and goes absolutely nowhere. "Next In Line" is a loping, country song, and makes me wonder if Tom ever considered tackling that genre. "(Hold On) Annie Mae" is a generic, but energetic blues number with prominent keys from Saunders, but the musicianship can't hide the banal lyrics (at one point he sings 'she didn't leave nothin'/No traces behind/Didn't leave numbers/For me to be find' - no, no typo). This one wound up on the "best of" CD!
"Excalibur" went nowhere, and was the start of chart no-shows. It would also be the last to feature Garcia, Saunders, Vitt and Kahn. They never figured in Fogerty's career again.
This CD includes "Goodbye Media Man" in its unedited, unsplit form. If you only have "part 1" of the single, you're OK, unless you want to hear Tom scream 'stop flashin' pictures of the people/stop flashin' pictures of the power' ad nauseum for two extra minutes...
This CD is pricey, and quality doesn't compensate. Someone was careless with the cheapo, PC-based noise reduction functions. "Tom Fogerty" is fine, not really a problem, but "Excalibur" takes a beating bad. The NR totally kills the treble and makes it even muddier, and removes all traces of reverb. A couple of tracks show up in their pure, unscathed hissy quality, and I would have preferred all of the tracks to be that way instead of being too sterile.
Liner notes? A measly (and incorrect) discography and whoever pressed these felt the urge to credit Tom's late-70's band Ruby as the backing musicians... Some pressings do correct the error, to a degree...
Artwork? Front covers, only. What you see on here is all you get... All of the Tom Fogerty reissues from ZYX suffer the same fate. Repetitive packaging.
Buy it for the music, nothing else...

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Grandes Exitos Mexico
TOM FOGERTY
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NQ77Q6

Product Description

GOODBYE MEDIA MAN(SINGLE VERSION)/CAST THE FIRST STONE/BEAUTY IS UNDER THE SKIN/EVERYMAN/ROCKY ROAD BLUES/JOYFUL RESURRECTION/LADY OF FATIMA/THE LEGEND OF ALCATRAZ/TRAIN TO NOWHERE/(HOLD ON)ANNIE MAE/GIVE ME ANOTHER TROJAN SONG/WHAT DID I KNOW/MYSTIC ISLE AVALON/SWEET THINGS TO COME/CHAMPAGNE LOVE/MYSTERY TRAIN/JODY LEE/GOODBYE MEDIA MAN (PART 1 & 2)

[2 CDs] Eddie Cochran ~ C'mon Everybody [Import] / Carl Perkins & Many Many Friends... (John Fogerty, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, George Harrison, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jimi Hendrix, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, & John Lennon) ~ Go Cat Go!

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TRACK LISTINGS

[2 CDs] Eddie Cochran ~ C'mon Everybody [Import] / Carl Perkins & Many Many Friends... (John Fogerty, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, George Harrison, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jimi Hendrix, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, & John Lennon) ~ Go Cat Go!

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000C2142Y

Customer Reviews:

TRACK LISTINGS.......2005-11-09

{C'MON EVERYBODY} [IMPORT]
1. C'MON EVERYBODY
2. SKINNY JIM
3. SITTIN' IN THE BALCONY
4. DRIVE IN SHOW
5. TWENTY FLIGHT ROCK
6. WEEKEND
7. JEANNIE, JEANNIE, JEANNIE
8. MILK COW BLUES
9. CUT ACROSS SHORTY
10. BLUE SUEDE SHOES
11. NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
12. HALLELUJAH I LOVE HER SO
13. SUMMERTIME BLUES
14. CHERISHED MEMORIES
15. SOMETHIN' ELSE
16. THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN
________________________________________________________________

{GO CAT GO!}
1. ALL MAMA'S CHILDREN - w/ Jojn Fogerty
2. ONE MORE SHOT - w/ Tom Petty
3. RACKABILLY MUSIC - w/ Paul Simon
4. DISTANCE MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - w/ George Harrison
5. GIVE ME BACK MY JOB - w/ Bono, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty
6. BLUE SUEDE SHOES - Jimi Hendrix Experience
7. QUARTER HORSE
8. DON'T STOP THE MUSIC
9. MATCHBOX - w/ Willie Nelson
10. GO CAT GO!
11. TWO OLD ARMY PALS - w/ Johnny Cash
12. HONEY DON'T - w/ Ringo Starr
13. WILD TEXAS WIND - w/ Willie Nelson
14. RESTLESS - w/ Tom Petty
15. A MILE OUT OF MEMPHIS - w/ Paul Simon
16. MY OLD FRIEND - w/ Paul McCartney
17. BLUE SUEDE SHOES - John Lennon

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

1. Legend of Alcatraz
2. Lady of Fatima
3. Beauty Is Under the Skin
4. Wondering
5. My Pretty Baby
6. Train to Nowhere
7. Everyman
8. Me Song
9. Cast the First Stone
10. Here Stands the Clown
11. Goodbye Media Man, Pts. 1-2 [#][*]
12. Forty Years
13. Black Jack Jenny
14. Rocky Road Blues
15. Faces, Places, People
16. Get Funky
17. Sick and Tired
18. Sign for the Devil
19. Straight and Narrow
20. Next in Line
See all 21 tracks on this disc