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CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED
Stu Cook and Doug "Cosmo" may not have intended it, but their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited has taken on a startling life of its own. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rhythm section (bass and drums respectively) from the legendary group Creedence Clearwater Revival launched the Creedence Clearwater Revisited project in 1995 to once again perform live Creedence Clearwater Revival hits touchstones of a generation. Though the pair initially only planned to play private parties, Creedence Clearwater Revisited now performs up to 100 shows a year and has released the album “Recollection.” "We never really had any intention of playing for the public," says Stu. "But a friend wanted to promote a couple of concerts. We got talked into it, but didn't know how it would go over." Since then, the reaction to Creedence Clearwater Revisited’s concerts has been astounding, and driven in part by a generation of kids who, as Cosmo says, "weren't even born when the music came out." Likewise, the release of a double live CD on Universal’s Hip-O Records label, which features passionate, authoritative version of 22 classic hits was the result of public demand. "It was generated by requests of the people who came to the shows," Stu acknowledges. "Over and over they would ask, "'do you guys have a CD?’" Creedence Clearwater Revisited's "Recollection" has proven so popular that it was certified as a gold record by the RIAA in 2002 and is well on its way towards platinum record status. Having now toured North America, South America, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, knocking out audiences with astounding concerts jam packed with songs that are still a staple of radio and movie soundtracks, Creedence Clearwater Revisited has come a long way. "In the beginning Cosmo and I decided that if we could find the musicians that could capture the sound and recreate what the music was about, we'd do it," recalls Stu. As fans who have experienced a Creedence Clearwater Revisited concert can attest, Stu and Cosmo found the right players. Lead singer/rhythm guitar player John Tristao, a powerful tenor with the energy to power songs, initially rose to prominence as lead singer for the band People when their hit "I Love You" bulleted into the top ten. Lead guitarist Tal Morris has been described as "the quintessential Bay Area guitar prodigy" and his monstrous talent unleashed live is what a rock 'n' roll concert is all about. Talented multi instrumentalist Steve Gunner rounds out the group. As Cosmo puts it, "Gun provides live all the overdubs that were on the records. He plays keyboard, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica and sings the high harmonies." With this new lineup, Stu and Cosmo and their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited add a new chapter to their legacy with vibrant and exhilarating energy and pure American spirit. As the Hollywood Reporter's music critic John Lappen wrote about a Creedence Clearwater Revisited concert in Los Angeles, “Their set was an amazing list of hit after hit that was done serious justice by the players involved. If anyone in the cheering crowd was disappointed [anyone] wasn't there, they hid it well behind their big smiles and whoops of joy at hearing live some of the best American rock ever written and recorded." "People don't want to be involved in an endless debate," Cosmo sums up. "They want to hear the music." And Creedence Clearwater Revisited always delivers. (Back to the Top)
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 Mary Ann Redmond
I started entertaining at age 6 when in kindergarten when I raised my hand to perform my version of the singing nun's Dominique at St Elizabeth’s parochial school in Richmond Va. The principal, Sister Martha Mary, approached my mother at the first pta meeting and told her that she had no idea I was bilingual. My mother clued her in that I was a fake and had just Polly parroted the album downstairs in our basement... hey, it was a gig. When I was 12 I stood around and sang along at the top of my lungs with a 45 of blood sweat and tears "when I die and when I’m gone... they'll be one child born in this world to carry on, to carry on"... hey, it was a gig. And I dreamt of other gigs to come. My brothers who were (and will always be older) together a band
And I was the chick singer.
One of our first gigs was at the fort lee officers club where a makeshift runway with g-string and pasty clad undulating Vietnamese girls were replaced by me at 15 years old and my much older brothers playing Doobie Brothers and Donna Summer covers. Yeeesh. My first really cool band was in college as a voice major at VCU trying to study opera and singing jazz and pop 5 nights a week in nightclubs. the group was jack diamond and friends and they did everything from Sinatra to Lou rawls to Cherl Lynn... eventually the clubs won out over college and on the road I went with various top 40 and traveling show bands which played the eastern seaboard from forgotten lounges in Watertown NY and Trump Plaza casino lounge where folks were enticed to take a load off after all their once best friend quarter slots turned into the greedy enemy.
When I settled in the dc area, I found a great band, Al Williams and friends, who I luckily ended up playing with and recording my first cd "Prisoner of the Heart" with those amazing musicians. Jon Ozment produced and played keys, Andy Hamburger on drums, Gary Grainger on bass, and the amazing Al Williams on sax.
I'd been signed to a developmental deal with Motown but was suddenly dropped when the A&R guy was removed from his post. Ahhh the music biddness!
I started my own band and began working the dc clubs and parties and then in 1995 we recorded the live cd at blues alley with guitarist Mike Ault, drummer Deren Blessman, bassist Steve Taylor, and keyboardist Benjie Porecki. A few years later I met Jon Carroll and we put out "Here I am" in 1999. Jon brought all of Mary Chapin carpenter's incredible players to the studio and she graciously included herself on the alone but not lonely track that she also beautifully penned. ( John Jennings, Dave Mattacks, Duke Levine...)
During that time I was invited to be a part of the 1999 USO tour where I got to sing for the troops and be a part of an amazing experience that taught me what being in the "service" really means. More info and pictures from the USO tour are here. There’s a picture of all of us gathered around Christmas Eve’s eve on the trip home singing songs of peace in a war plane.
Somehow, through a mutual fan I also got involved playing from time to time with Jeff “skunk” Baxter from the Doobie Brothers. When he'd come to town we'd end up working together so after all those years of dormant doobie covers they finally came in handy... "Skunk" introduced me to the ballistic missile defense guys and I was invited to some of the launches. I never actually got to see the fireworks, the first two were aborted and the third I couldn't make but the whole ordeal made me feel a bit like Forrest Gump. They were actually very kind for people that like to blow up stuff for a living. And hey ...it's a gig.
Right now I’m working with guitarist Lenny Stevens, bassist Dr. Samba and drummer Jeffrey Neal and just completed cd#4 with John Jennings. The rumors are true, I do live in a really cool cabin with my aussie shepherd and my 2 cats and lease a horse. It’s just like being at a summer camp.
I still play at clubs and private gigs around town and we travel if the gig looks like a fun time. What can I say, I’m extremely blessed.
And hey ...it's a gig.
Love y'all. Thank y'all. Come see me.
Blessings,
Mary Ann
p.s. buy a cd I need the gas money.
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