SUMMER CAR TUNES: WHY CCR'S 'RAMBLE TAMBLE' SHOULD BE ON THE LIST
There is a euphoric moment for every car guy when he hits the road in his classic ride. It's called the start of the trip, or perhaps more accurately, the start of the adventure with a plucky belief that the car guy won't have to add "mis" to the adventure word.
The biggest decision you had back in 1970 was what 8 track tape was going to be your pick of the day for the trip.
'Ramble Tamble' is one of the album songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival, specifically from their July 1970 release of their 'Cosmos Factory' album.
John Fogerty loved big guitar chords in his songs and this obscure album song had plenty of guitar in its DNA. The lyrics suggested a road trip and the lively guitar introduction enhanced that notion.
'Ramble Tamble' opened with a lot of movement in it-just like the start of an old car trip. The old iron is living up to its end of the bargain and miles are being consumed like roasted peanuts at a ball game. All is right with the world.
Then the song slows down drastically in a typical early 70s change of musical pace because how else are you able elongate a song into over seven minutes on an album?
The vibe for car guys is a mechanical issue because they do not want to lose momentum on a trip in their old classics. But the song never quite grinds to a halt and typically an old car will limp along on the road in similar fashion.
Eventually the song picks up the pace again with a weird guitar sound that almost imitates a weird sound in an old car. Maybe a wheel bearing, maybe a generator or water pump problem, the important thing is that the song and car are still rolling along the road.
By the end of the song, the musical pace is back to the original introductory level, but slowing down as it cruises to its conclusion. We know the song has reached its destination and we hope the car guy has done the same.
Got about seven minutes? Give this classic CCR album track a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRU8fEsq6nk
Jim Sutherland
More car stuff at http://www.mystarcollectorcar.com/
