Chronicle, Vol. 1
contains every one of
Creedence Clearwater Revival
's original 19 hit singles -- including
"Proud Mary,"
"Bad Moon Rising,"
"Green River,"
"Down on the Corner,"
"Travelin' Band,"
"Up Around the Band,"
and
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain"
-- plus
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine,"
which became a hit at the same time this double-record compilation was released. It's a lean, concise collection that tells you everything you need to know about
Creedence
. Several of the band's individual albums are essential, but
Chronicle
is not only an excellent introduction to the group, it offers definitive proof that the group was one of the definitive singles' bands of the late '60s. Rarely has a greatest- hits collection been so well-assembled. [The compact disc edition is hampered by the inclusion of the full-length, 11-minute album version of
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
; its presence slows down the momentum of the collection considerably.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine