Creedence Clearwater Revival – Mardi Gras (1972)
Release Date: April 11, 1972
Label: Fantasy Records
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Swamp Rock / Roots Rock / Rock
Length: 34:04
Producer: John Fogerty, Stu Cook, Doug Clifford
Overview
Mardi Gras is Creedence Clearwater Revival’s seventh and final studio album, released after Tom Fogerty had left the band. Unlike previous albums where John Fogerty maintained near-total creative control, Mardi Gras gave Stu Cook and Doug Clifford songwriting and lead vocal responsibilities, resulting in a more collaborative but uneven record.
The album blends swamp rock, blues, and rock ’n’ roll, with highlights including “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” and “Someday Never Comes”, both written by John Fogerty. While CCR fans and critics had mixed reactions to the album’s shared vocal and songwriting approach, Mardi Gras still features tight musicianship and signature swampy grooves, offering a glimpse of CCR’s evolution before their disbandment later that year.
Despite its unevenness, the album produced hit singles and charted well, marking the final chapter in CCR’s influential and prolific career.
Tracklist
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Take It Like a Friend – 3:13
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Someday Never Comes – 4:00
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Door to Door – 3:11
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The Spy – 2:56
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Pagan Baby – 3:11
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Hello Mary Lou – 2:31
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Rats in the City – 2:57
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Tighten Up – 2:34
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Who’ll Stop the Rain – 2:28
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Lookin’ Out My Back Door – 2:32
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Sweet Hitch-Hiker – 2:58
(Tracklist may vary slightly depending on edition.)
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know?
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Did You Know? Mardi Gras is the only CCR album where John Fogerty shared creative control with Stu Cook and Doug Clifford.
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Hit Singles: “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of CCR’s final top-ten hits.
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Tom Fogerty Departure: This is the first album recorded without rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty, who left in early 1971.
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Mixed Reviews: Critics and fans were divided over the album’s uneven songwriting, but praised CCR’s musicianship.
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Swamp Rock Continuation: Despite the internal tensions, CCR retained their signature swampy blues-rock sound throughout the album.
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Final Studio Album: Mardi Gras marked the end of CCR’s studio recordings, with the band officially disbanding later in 1972.
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Commercial Performance: The album reached #12 on the Billboard 200, demonstrating CCR’s continued popularity despite creative tensions.
Album Credits
Creedence Clearwater Revival:
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John Fogerty – Lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards, producer (partial)
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Stu Cook – Bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals, songwriter
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Doug Clifford – Drums, percussion, backing vocals, songwriter
Production Team:
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Producers: John Fogerty, Stu Cook, Doug Clifford
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Engineer: Russ Gary
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Label: Fantasy Records
Mini Review
Mardi Gras is a divisive yet fascinating final chapter in CCR’s discography. While the shared songwriting approach leads to an uneven album, tracks like “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” and “Someday Never Comes” retain CCR’s signature swamp-rock charm and tight musicianship. The album captures a band struggling with internal tensions yet still capable of hits, making it both a historical document and a bittersweet farewell to one of rock’s greatest bands.