The Long Road Home: The Ultimate John Fogerty / Creedence Collection

As an introduction to John Fogerty's career, an examination of his songwriting, perhaps, or a portrait of a style, this new compilation is intriguing. As an "ultimate" hits collection, though, it can't help but fall short.

John Fogerty, singer/songwriter and guiding force behind Creedence Clearwater Revival, was probably the last person who thought he'd ever be on Fantasy Records again -- that infamous label which made history with CCR and then embittered its leader so badly with its business practices he swore never to play those songs again. But now Fantasy is in the hands of the Concord label, and Fogerty, to the stunned delight of nearly everyone, is back in its stable. So it was only natural that the first release be a disc that draws the line between John's band work and the fine and occasionally popular work he's been doing ever since the band called it quits way back in 1972.

This is not that record, unfortunately. Oh, all the Top Ten CCR hits are here -- that is, in one form or another, since "Fortunate Son" and "Hey Tonight" are present in live versions from Fogerty's recent tour. And many of his best-known solo singles are included, although "Rock And Roll Girls" is a puzzling omission. What's worse, solo songs that might have been worth gathering in one collection like "Rockin' All Over The World" or "Almost Saturday Night" are live, as are A-level Creedence songs that never made it to radio like "Bootleg" and "Keep On Chooglin'." (The sequencing also hurts the ride: "Centerfield" is fun, but not good enough to be sandwiched between "Who'll Stop The Rain" and "Bad Moon Rising.") It's best to view "Long Road Home" as an introduction to John's milieu. But ultimate? Hardly.