John Mellencamp remaster series
Posted by: Peter Stockwell on 02 April 2006
John Mellencamp doesn't seem to get much promotion where I live. In my collection he's an artist that gets and has got regurlar plays overthe years. Listening to "Human Wheels", a CD that I found in a used CD store a while back, made me ask if anyone had giventhe remastered version a listen.
Prior to posting I did a search for "Mellencamp" and found that he was mostly referenced in passing on other threads and that there was only one other thread specifically about John Mellencamp, and that only managed 6 posts.
To me, John Mellencamp conjures images of midwestern US ciies and the neighbouring smaller towns and cities, for instance Kansas City, Des Moines, or lawrence KS, or St. joseph Mo. Maybe that works against him here, on this forum. I find that while he may not have the all the range of a Springsteen or Townes Van Zandt, he's certainly a good listen.
Posted on: 03 April 2006 by Bob McC
John Cougar mellencamp throws up 2 threads
Posted on: 03 April 2006 by Simon Matthews
Sounds like he needs to watch what he eats Bob.
Scarecrow was the first time he showed a more political and harder edge and it is a great album. The next two had fantastic moments like 'cherry bomb' and 'paper on fire'. Pretty good recordings for vinyl as well. I am in need of educating regarding anything in the last ten years or so.
I think scarecrow will get a dusting off tonight
Posted on: 03 April 2006 by Wolf
I remember he was hot back in his day, getting lots of airplay but he somewhat retired back to his native area and lost the all important self promotion. My neice one year at Christmas got a Stray Cats Album and Mellencamp. She wasn't talking much so my sister asked her which she liked most. She nailed it by saying Stray Cats was fun party music but Mellencamp was the one you really wanted to listen to and know the words. I've not come by any of his stuff used, I'll have to put him on my list. He's really a good observer and writer with a midwest sensibility. I"ve always like that song John and Diane I think. Life goes on.
Posted on: 03 April 2006 by J.N.
Hi Peter;
I'm a great John (Cougar) Mellencamp fan, and yes indeed Simon, 'Scarecrow' is a corker. It has a wonderful 'edge' to the songs and recording.
I think he's maintained a good musical standard down the years too - certainly through to 2001's 'Cuttin Heads' which contains some great songs.
I don't know 'Human Wheels' so will check it out.
John.
Posted on: 03 April 2006 by Bob McC
Jack and Diane
Posted on: 03 April 2006 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
Hi Peter;
I'm a great John (Cougar) Mellencamp fan, and yes indeed Simon, 'Scarecrow' is a corker. It has a wonderful 'edge' to the songs and recording.
I think he's maintained a good musical standard down the years too - certainly through to 2001's 'Cuttin Heads' which contains some great songs.
I don't know 'Human Wheels' so will check it out.
John.
Hey John,
I hear your headed this way in a while. I've much of John Mellencamp's recordings from the 80s on. I have nothing from when he was marketed as "John Cougar", but I recall liking what I heard on the radio in the 70s. I don't know about "Dance Naked" but I think everything from American Fool onwards is worth a listen, at least.
I'd venture that "Human Wheels" is not his easiest album to like, but it's got lot's of gritty heart felt songs. There's an album of different takes on some of his more well known songs called "Rough Harvest" that is definetely worth a look. "Cuttin Heads" is one that gets least play at our house. "Trouble No More" is a great set of covers of blues and rock'n'roll standards, and is a great recording sonically. I also like very much the 1st, eponymous, Columbia album from 1998, iirc.
Wolf, it's that midwest sensibility I admire, I spent some great years in the american heartland, and that's the little extra he has for me, and also why he may not be so popular
here because midwestern aficianados may be thin on the ground.
Posted on: 04 April 2006 by J.N.
Peter;
I look forward to meeting you and Evelyne in June (absence of civil unrest permitting!)
I've listened to some samples from 'Human Wheels' and ordered a copy from the States.
Best wishes.
John.
Posted on: 05 April 2006 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
Peter;
I look forward to meeting you and Evelyne in June (absence of civil unrest permitting!)
Best wishes.
John.
You watch too much TV
Glad you liked the samples enough to buy "Human Wheels"
