original planned cover
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Hoodoo
Company: Joy and Fun
Catalog: 001
Year: 1985
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
If you're looking at this one, then you almost certainly know the story behind John Fogerty's planned third solo LP.
Throughout 1975 and 1976 Fogerty had recorded material for what was planned as his follow-up to 1975's "John Fogerty". Two of those new tracks were actually released as a single - "You Got The Magic" b/w "Evil Thing" (Asylum catalog number 45309). When the single failed to chart Fogerty apparently began to have personal doubts regarding the rest of the planned LP. Those doubts were reinforced by Warner Brothers president Joe Smith. Having listening to the new material, Smith reportedly told Fogerty he didn't think the album (tentatively entitled "Hoodoo") was very good, but Asylum would release the album if Fogerty wanted it put out. Fogerty went back into the studio to play with the material, but eventually came to the conclusion it simply wasn't up to creative par. With concurrence from Asylum, the project was officially abandoned with Fogerty subsequently reportedly destroyed the master tapes.
We'll be the first to tell you that "Hoodoo" isn't as good as the earlier "Blue Ridge Rangers", or "John Fogerty", nor anywhere near the caliber of the forthcoming "Centerfold". Fogerty himself has admitted that he'd lost his musical direction at the time, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the set isn't particularly focused. That said, any Fogerty is better than no Fogerty and the planned LP has at least two tracks are at least minor Fogerty classics. The single "You Got the Magic" is a killer top-40 song that sports one of Fogerty's more memorable lead guitar lines. The atypical and intriguing "Between the Lines" comes off as Fogerty-cum-Springsteen. "Hoodoo Man", "Telephone" (featuring a Fogerty sax solo and a distinctive New Orleans feel) and "On the Run" are also all first rate rockers. Other name acts have released material far worse than this baby. In addition to the nine selections originally planned for the LP, this set includes four live tracks - "The Old Man Down the Road", "Vanz Kant Dance" and "Knock On Wood" pulled from Fogerty's performance at the Farm Aid Concert, while "No Love to You" and "Rock and Roll Girls" come from a January 1985 Los Angeles concert. With the exception of the "You Got the Magic", three L.A. concert sides (marred by audience sounds), the overall sound quality isn't bad. A little muddy at times, so give it a B-.
"Hoodoo" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) You Got the Magic (John Fogerty) -
2.) Between the Lines (John Fogerty) -
3.) Leave My Woman Alone (John Fogerty) -
4.) Marchin' To Blarney (instrumental) (John Fogerty) -
5.) The Old Man Down the Road (live) (John Fogerty) -
6.) Vanz Kant Dane (live) (John Fogerty) -
7.) Knock On Wood (live)
(side 2)
1.) Hoodoo Man (John Fogerty) -
2.) Telephone (John Fogerty) -
3.) Evil Thing (John Fogerty) -
4.) Henrietta (John Fogerty) -
5.) On the Run (John Fogerty) -
6.) No Love To You (live) (John Fogerty) -
7.) Rock and Roll Girl (live) (John Fogerty) -