Chronicle, Vol. 1 (CD - 1976)

Includes liner notes by Greil Marcus.

Digitally remastered by Gary Hobish (1994, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Creedence Clearwater Revival: John Fogerty (vocals, guitar); Tom Fogerty (guitar); Stu Cook (bass); Doug Clifford (drums).

Includes liner notes by John Grissim.

Digitally remastered by George Horn (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Creedence Clearwater Revival: John Fogerty (guitar, vocals); Tom Fogerty (guitar); Stu Cook (bass); Doug Clifford (drums).

Includes liner notes by Greil Marcus.

Digitally remastered by George Horn (1995, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Creedence Clearwater Revival: John Fogerty (vocals, guitar); Tom Fogerty (guitar); Stu Cook (bass); Doug Clifford (drums).

Includes liner notes by John Grissim.

Digitally remastered by George Horn (1995, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

Chronicle, Vol. 1 contains every one of Creedence Clearwater Revival's original 19 hit singles -- including "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River," "Down on the Corner," "Travelin' Band," "Up Around the Band," and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" -- plus "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," which became a hit at the same time this double-record compilation was released. It's a lean, concise collection that tells you everything you need to know about Creedence. Several of the band's individual albums are essential, but Chronicle is not only an excellent introduction to the group, it offers definitive proof that the group was one of the definitive singles' bands of the late '60s. Rarely has a greatest- hits collection been so well-assembled. [The compact disc edition is hampered by the inclusion of the full-length, 11-minute album version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"; its presence slows down the momentum of the collection considerably.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Chronicle, Vol. 2 effectively compiles all of the highlights from Creedence Clearwater Revival's career that weren't on the first volume. All of the singles were included on Chronicle, Vol. 1, so Chronicle, Vol. 2 is comprised solely of album tracks. That doesn't mean these are lesser items. On the contrary, the majority of these songs -- "Born on the Bayou," "Tombstone Shadow," "Wrote a Song for Everyone," "It Came out of the Sky," and "Midnight Special" -- rank among their best performances. Of course, a couple of great tracks remain on CCR's individual albums, notably "Bootleg," but Chronicle, Vol. 2 is an ideal choice for listeners that want a little more than the hits, but are unwilling to delve into the albums proper. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Guided, perhaps, by musical snobbery or roots-rock phobia, some people inexplicably don't like Creedence Clearwater Revival. As the kings of earnest country-inflected rock in an age when radical stances were de rigueur, CCR sported straight-ahead tunes, and may have seemed a bit unhip. But their music stands the test of time with a vengeance. For the doubtful listener, this outstanding, 20-track hits collection has evidence of their greatness in staggering abundance.

Though they produced several excellent albums, Creedence was predominantly a singles band, and CHRONICLE compiles many of their biggest hits. From the slowly building saunter of "Suzie Q" and the spooky, R&B-soaked "I Put a Spell on You" to the fierce "Fortunate Son" and the swampy blues of "Run Through the Jungle," CHRONICLE features the ensemble's signature tunes. Beautifully melancholy songs "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Someday Never Comes" play off sunny, melodic anthems "Down on the Corner" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door," fully revealing the band's wide range. The group's tight, no-frills musicianship leaves John Fogerty's keening voice and superb songwriting at the fore, and the results--brought together here on one of rock's best greatest-hits packages--make for some of the genre's most endearing and enduring music.

As the kings of earnest country-and-blues-inflected rock in an age when radical stances were de rigueur, CCR sported straight-ahead tunes, and may have seemed a bit unhip at the time. However, their music stands the test of time with a vengeance, and this outstanding, 20-track hits collection has evidence of their greatness in staggering abundance.

Though Creedence produced several excellent albums, it was predominantly a singles band, and CHRONICLE compiles many of CCR's biggest hits. From the slowly building saunter of "Suzie Q" and the spooky, R&B-soaked "I Put a Spell on You" to the fierce "Fortunate Son" and the swampy blues of "Run Through the Jungle," CHRONICLE features the ensemble's signature tunes. Beautifully melancholy songs "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Someday Never Comes" play off sunny, melodic anthems "Down on the Corner" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door," fully revealing the band's wide range. The group's tight, no-frills musicianship leaves John Fogerty's keening voice and superb songwriting at the fore, and the results--brought together here on one of rock's best greatest-hits packages--make for some endearing and enduring music. minimize