Fogerty's Rocking Deja Vu

"If I felt the need right now, I could probably write 'Fortunate Son' again," says John Fogerty. But rather than revisit past glories, the former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman took his time crafting Deja Vu All Over Again, his first album in seven years. The album is due September 21st.

"I'm almost in awe of the whole process," Fogerty says. "I'm really happy when stuff is working - in the same way [Red Sox pitcher] Pedro Martinez is happy when he's got all his stuff."

With Fogerty back in touch with his inner muse, D?j? Vu collects countrified, bare-bones rock numbers that carry enough swamp-blues bite to appeal to CCR fans. Highlights include "Sugar Sugar," an up-tempo ode to Fogerty's wife which reflects his knack for crafting a laid-back melody. And the earnestly pretty anti-war title track is currently earning Fogerty some airplay.

That song, which draws parallels between Vietnam and Iraq, came to Fogerty almost by divine inspiration. "I walked in the door, and as I put the keys down on the table, the first line of the song came to me," Fogerty says. "I heard it as if somebody was whispering in my ear. I ran over and picked up an acoustic guitar, and it just came like an unstoppable force."