"CCR’s [2nd] album, "Bayou Country", was released in the first week of 1969 and gave the first indications that CCR may have something truly unique about them and saw the real start of bandleader John Fogerty’s sustained hot streak.
"Bayou Country" starts with an almost sinister rising hum that opens “Born on the Bayou”, and over the course of five minutes CCR establish themselves as one of the leading lights of late 60s American music, by way of swampy rock and roll vibes that countless Southern Rock acts would emulate over the next five years – no small achievement given that CCR were from California. Throughout "Bayou Country", CCR demonstrate their abilities as a water-tight musical unit by way of groovy slow paced rock and roll by way of “Graveyard Train”, the bluesy “Penthouse Pauper”, and a contrasting breakneck cover of rock and roll standard “Good Golly Miss Molly”.
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s legend is sealed by way of "Bayou Country"’s two closing tracks. “Proud Mary” was John Fogerty’s first top class contribution to the Great American Songbook, and is still the perfect synthesis of the Creedence Clearwater Revival sound, from John’s timeless rock and roll vocals, to his brother Tom’s relentless rhythm guitar work, and the perfectly interlocked rhythm section of Doug Clifford and Stu Cook. “Proud Mary” is a rock standard which continues to be covered by other acts regularly, and the original still stands as one of the greatest singles ever released. "Bayou Country" closes with “Keep on Chooglin'”, where the band hit a relentless groove and follow it unwaveringly, for well over seven and a half minutes. In lesser hands it might have been a track that dragged, but somehow CCR keep it vital and vibrant, minting their first killer album closer, and ensuring that "Bayou Country" is untroubled by a weak spot." - Backseat Mafia
180 Gram Black Vinyl Pressing
Side A:
1. Born On The Bayou
2. Bootleg
3. Graveyard Train
Side B:
1. Good Golly Miss Molly
2. Penthouse Pauper
3. Proud Mary
4. Keep On Chooglin'
