As the drummer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, Doug “Cosmo” Clifford saw the group release over two dozen hit singles and seven studio albums and headline the world touring, including 1969 Woodstock. In the years that followed, the drummer released a solo album and joined CCR bassist Stu Cook in the Don Harrison Band. In the 1980s he began to focus his creative energies on the production of album projects. His concept was to put together top-notch players, write the original songs on an album, and then record, mix and master the album. And at the end of each project, the masters were archived and kept safe. In 2020 he came across some old recordings, cleaned them up and released a 10-song album called Magic window. He has another name for 2021 For all the money in the world.
Together with Steven Wright, best known as the bass player for the Greg Kihn Band, Clifford co-wrote and played the drums on all 11 songs. The title track opens the record with a cute, clean guitar lead over singer Keith England’s growl. “I Need Your Lover” is an archetypal 80s track with big keys over muted guitar, cosmos snapping snare and wild, soaring backing vocals at the front of the mix. Though out of date, it’s a solid little tune that proves that good songs keep your ears shut.
“Lost Pride Fever” is the first of four songs that guitar master Joe Satriani shouts through. He even puts riffing on “You Keep Runnin ‘Away”. Both melodies feature both Satriani and Tim Gorman’s subtle organ playing. We get the first real upfront game from Wright as he slams his growling-sounding bass through that echoing slide barn burner.
Clifford and Wright (who died in 2017) did quite a bit of tight songwriting For all the money in the world. There are many moments when you feel like you’re hearing something that was written, played and produced when MTV was still in its prime. One wonders, if Cosmo had managed to open his vault back then, he might have robbed bands like Huey Lewis and The News or even Wright’s old partner Greg Kihn of their money.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
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