If you’re going to see Creedence Clearwater Revisited, you can’t pick a better scenario than a warm summer night beneath a full moon. That’s when the strange, swampy juju of CCR is at its most powerful, or at least it was last night at Lincoln, California’s Thunder Valley Casino.

Original rhythm section Stu Cook and Doug Clifford brought their new CCR lineup and their big bag of hits to a full and enthusiastic house. The band opened with the always spooky “Born on the Bayou,” and singer John Tristao immediately established his rightful place at the mic. Tristao possesses a gritty bluesman’s voice that does justice to the legendary band’s classic songs.

And speaking of doing justice, lead guitarist Kurt Griffey put a serious hurtin’ on his Telecaster during an extended jam on “Suzie Q.” The guy has chops. He is a rock solid guitarist with great tone and feel, and a tremendous addition to CCR.

These guys are tight, you know the songs, and seriously: How many chances do you get to see Woodstock legends rocking some of the greatest songs in rock and roll history?

The boys are on the road through November. Pick up a ticket—you won’t regret it.

Creedence Clearwater Revisited