CCR

In my youth, CCR was the way we referred to one of the most legendary and iconic bands of the 1970's, Creedence Clearwather Revivial. I was a CCR fan then and I am now, but different band. Today's CCR refers to Cross Canadian Ragweed. It is a strange name that combines each band member's name - Cody Canada, Grady Cross and Randy Ragsdale. CCR is a garage band that graduated to bar band in the late 90's, and have released 10 CD's over the past 10 years.

CCR is billed as a country band and their CD's are found in the country section at your local Best Buy. I hear a faint country flavor in a few of their songs, but they are not country. Calling them country is like saying The Eagles are a country band. Instead, CCR plays the rock and roll of my youth. The majority of their songs feature the electric guitar played at high volume with a high level of skill. The lead guitar is melodic, and the rhythm guitar work is flawless. If you enjoy the clean, crisp, driving guitar work popular in the 70's rock era, you will love CCR.

Vocals are shared by all the band, but Cody Canada is the dominate voice and the lead singer. He is a vocalist that can carry a tune with an testosterone driven edge. Something many of the 70's rock bands could not claim vocal talent.

But there is a second side to this band. Each of their 7 studio recordings features a few acoustic gems. The band's recent release, Happiness and All Other Things, features some of CCR's better acoustic work as well as some of their more intense electric guitar. I find that their tenth CD to be the best. My personal favorite is a cut titled "Confident" that features Cody play on lead on a baritone acoustic.

If you haven't heard of CCR, and many music lovers have not since they get zero air play, check them out on YouTube. I think you will be surprised such talent could fly under the radar for so many years.

51 Pieces
Burn Like the Sun