by philipchevron Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:02 pm
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN April 3
Legends show how it's done
West Coast Blues 'n' Roots, Fremantle Park Sunday April i, Review by Simon Collins
A two hour masterclass in rocking and rolling from former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty capped off an excellent, if somewhat subdued, ninth instalment of West Coast Blues 'n' Roots at Fremantle Park on Sunday.
The artists weren't taking it easy, rather, it was the 15000-strong crowd that was laidback, sprawling out across the expanse of Fremantle Park as if this were a family picnic with a few bands thrown in.
Many of the acts brought their A-games, in particular Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy, a surprisingly electrified Crosby, Stills and Nash and Irish folk-rockers The Pogues.
And then there was Fogerty, who at 66 years young still had those honey-dipped pipes, swamp-rock guitar licks and a fair bit of bile in his system. The legend unleashed plenty of CCR material, such as Who'll Stop The Rain, Bad Moon Rising and Proud Mary.
Like a human jukebox, Fogerty and his crack band also dished up hits made famous by others, such as Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman, Robert Palmer's Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) and a finale of [whoops!] the Status Quo chestnut Rockin' All Over The World, which appeared on Fogerty's eponymous second album in 1975.
From the classic swamp rock on the main stage to a sweaty Irish pub vibe in the big top, The Pogues whipped the faithful into [yes!] a frenzy from opening number Streams of Whiskey to the Spanish-flavoured Fiesta - complete with tin-whistle player Spider Stacy smashing a beer tray over his head for extra percussion.
Alcohol-ravaged singer Shane MacGowan wandered on and off, offering incomprehensible introductions to songs but managed to nail Rainy Night In Soho and a spine-tingling rendition of Eric Bogle's And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Special mention also goes to Phil Chevron, whose paean to the Irish diaspora, Thousands Are Sailing, was another highlight.
Continues with favourable notices for Crosby, Stills and Nash and Buddy Guy and mentions presence of The Specials, My Morning Jacket etc.
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN April 3
[b]Legends show how it's done[/b]
West Coast Blues 'n' Roots, Fremantle Park Sunday April i, Review by Simon Collins
A two hour masterclass in rocking and rolling from former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty capped off an excellent, if somewhat subdued, ninth instalment of West Coast Blues 'n' Roots at Fremantle Park on Sunday.
The artists weren't taking it easy, rather, it was the 15000-strong crowd that was laidback, sprawling out across the expanse of Fremantle Park as if this were a family picnic with a few bands thrown in.
Many of the acts brought their A-games, in particular Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy, a surprisingly electrified Crosby, Stills and Nash and Irish folk-rockers The Pogues.
And then there was Fogerty, who at 66 years young still had those honey-dipped pipes, swamp-rock guitar licks and a fair bit of bile in his system. The legend unleashed plenty of CCR material, such as Who'll Stop The Rain, Bad Moon Rising and Proud Mary.
Like a human jukebox, Fogerty and his crack band also dished up hits made famous by others, such as Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman, Robert Palmer's Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) and a finale of [[i]whoops![/i]] the Status Quo chestnut Rockin' All Over The World, which appeared on Fogerty's eponymous second album in 1975.
From the classic swamp rock on the main stage to a sweaty Irish pub vibe in the big top, The Pogues whipped the faithful into [[i]yes![/i]] a frenzy from opening number Streams of Whiskey to the Spanish-flavoured Fiesta - complete with tin-whistle player Spider Stacy smashing a beer tray over his head for extra percussion.
Alcohol-ravaged singer Shane MacGowan wandered on and off, offering incomprehensible introductions to songs but managed to nail Rainy Night In Soho and a spine-tingling rendition of Eric Bogle's And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Special mention also goes to Phil Chevron, whose paean to the Irish diaspora, Thousands Are Sailing, was another highlight.
[i]Continues with favourable notices for Crosby, Stills and Nash and Buddy Guy and mentions presence of The Specials, My Morning Jacket etc.[/i]
