Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival joins Paul Cashmere at Noise11.com for an in-depth interview about Jackdawg, the long-lost album recorded with John McFee and Keith Knudsen of The Doobie Brothers.
Originally tracked in the late 80s and shelved for decades, Jackdawg finally receives its full release through Liberation Hall Records. Stu reflects on the sessions at McFee’s California ranch studio, the mentorship of Sound City founder Joe Gottfried, and the creative freedom that shaped the record.
Cook reveals the story behind Bayou Rebel, a deliberate nod to his Creedence roots, and the Australian-inspired The Girl From Oz, written about Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett. He also talks about covering Van Morrison’s Wild Night, his work producing Roky Erickson’s The Evil One, and the song that helped inspire the Jackdawg project, Cold Night For Alligators.
In this candid conversation, Stu opens up about the late-80s music landscape, the challenges of polished rock during the rise of grunge, and his long friendship with John McFee. He also discusses his unique bass tone, his time in Southern Pacific, and why Creedence’s final album Mardi Gras almost never happened.
The interview closes with memories of touring Australia, Creedence Clearwater Revisited’s 2015 shows, and Cook’s ongoing connection with his Australian family.
Watch the full Noise11.com interview for rare insights into one of rock’s great survivors, Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Jackdawg.
