Willy and the Poor Boys (via Discogs)
My old pre-recorded cassette copy of Willy And The Poor Boys, which hit the UK in March 1970 (originally released October 1969 in the US), is worn out and unplayable. Is it perfect? No. Is it still a great album? Yes.
Creedence were very prolific, releasing three albums in 1969 in the US (including this one). Had they all been squeezed onto a single album, or even a double, one or two of the tracks on Willy and the Poor Boys would probably now be being discoverved as outtakes and extras for remastered cds. It’s not that any of the material is weak, just that some isn’t as strong as the rest.
Melody Maker
Nevertheless, when this album kicks, it kicks hard, with Down On The Corner and Fortunate Son as the obvious highlights, but I also like the straightahead country rock of their version of Leadbelly’s Cotton Fields and the groove of Feelin’ Blue.
New Musical Express
Perhaps surprisingly, Fortune Son and Effigy are the first songs I’ve had cause to mention here that are about Vietnam. They won’t be the last, and I’ll have more to say about that later in the year.
If you think it’s odd that I like both Creedence Clearwater Revival and Egg (yesterday), then what can I say? I remember John Peel once saying that popular music is like a Lemon Meringue Pie made with too much sugar and put into an oven that is too hot. The result is a confection that is unbearably sweet and gooey in the centre changing to burnt black and sour round the edge. But it’s all the same pie.
In other news, on this day in 1970, Phil Lesh, bass player of the Grateful Dead, was 30 years old, meaning he is celebrating his 80th today, and still playing.
Willy And The Poor Boys is on Spotify, naturally, and also a play list on YouTube:
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