The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again (Bonus Track Version)

John Fogerty’s first solo album was a collection of covers where Fogerty played all the instruments under the pseudonym “The Blue Ridge Rangers.” Just over 35 years later, Fogerty puts together his second collection of covers (and his own “Change In the Weather”) and the Rangers Ride Again, this time with an all-star backing cast including Kenny Aronoff, Greg Leisz and Jay Bellerose. The years have only subtly mellowed Fogerty. He’s less strident, more relaxed. Whether he’s duetting with Bruce Springsteen on the Everly Brothers’ “When Will I Be Loved,” or putting his own stamp on Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party,” or finding the emotive tug of John Denver’s “Back Home Again,” Fogerty sounds like a man enjoying himself in the studio, regardless of his commercial fate. Gene Simmons’ rockabilly classic “Haunted House,” Buck Owens’ Bakersfield country anthem “I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)” and Delaney and Bonnie’s “Never Ending Song of Love” sound completely contemporary and emotionally relevant. At 64, Fogerty isn’t riding into the sunset but finding his inspirations wherever they might be.