Sitting on the porch of a house, laughing and counting each other in, this relaxed performance could have been by any two folk musicians. In fact, it was Jesse Welles and Matt Quinn, two artists who have garnered significant online attention in recent years. Both Jesse and Matt have become known for their retro-inspired sound and their political activism. With their crossover in sound and outlook, many fans will be excited to see these two collaborate on a cover of ‘Have You Ever Seen the Rain?’
Both artists have been inspired by bands from the 60s and 70s, making the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit the perfect number for them to perform together. Music Man fans will be amazed not only by how perfectly the song suits the singers’ voices, but also by how well their voices suit each other. Despite the song being written over 50 years ago, it seems as though it was written for them as they come together in a performance that prompted one viewer to comment, “You’re the real deal, guys.”
When I first saw that these two had recorded a cover of this song, I must admit I had my doubts. The original is so iconic, what hope could any musician, no matter how talented, have of doing it justice? I was more than glad to be proven wrong. I believe it pays tribute to Jesse and Matt’s respect and admiration for the musicians who came before them, showing that they can channel the spirit of the originals while still adding their own personal touch to their version.
It is not only me and other fans of the two who believe these are the right musicians to perform the cover. Music Man fans may be amazed to learn who else Jesse has performed ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain?’ with. It is not another modern folk artist, but John Fogerty himself, a founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Seeing them join together to perform the song is truly touching, and it tells you all you need to know about whether Jesse is the right man to carry their legacy forward.
It is not uncommon to see fans of music from the 60s and 70s complaining that you don’t hear ‘real music’ anymore, not like you did back in their day, at least. In fact, it has become such a common complaint that it has become somewhat of a running joke in some circles. Well, hopefully, upon seeing Jesse Welles and Matt Quinn’s talent, these folks will realize that they have no reason to complain. With talented young musicians carrying forward the spirit of music made and loved by previous generations, they make sure that future generations will continue to remember and appreciate it for a long time.