If I Die Sudden Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater
John Mellencamp's most recent studio album is 2008's Life Death Love and Freedom, produced by T Bone Burnett, featuring the singles/videos My Sweet Love, Troubled Land, and A Ride Back Home. The album debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard album chart and is one of John's most critically praised releases, including a 4 star review from Rolling Stone. Click HERE to listen to the full album. » MORE DETAILS
In 2009 John released the live companion album Life Death LIVE and Freedom featuring live versions of tracks from John's 2008 album Life Death Love and Freedom recorded during John's 2008 tour. Listen to a stream of the album: QuickTime - MySpace » MORE DETAILS
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New Song from John Graces Second “NCIS” Soundtrack
The second volume of a specially produced soundtrack for the hit CBS TV series “NCIS” features another cut from John.
“NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack – Vol. 2,” which CBS Records, released on Nov. 3, includes John’s “Someday The Rains Will Fall.”
“Rains” was recorded in San Antonio during the sessions for John’s forthcoming “No Better Than This.” It joins “Troubled Land,” one of the key tracks from “Life Death Love & Freedom,” which appeared on the first “NCIS” volume.
Click HERE to visit the "NCIS" soundtrack website which includes a sample of John's new song. Order the album from Amazon.com by clicking HERE
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John's Appearance on “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...” is Now Available
John’s appearance on the acclaimed Sundance Channel music TV series “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...” is available for download now exclusively at the iTunes Store, with DVD release on Nov. 3.
The episode with John also stars Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash and Norah Jones. Unlike earlier epidodes of the series—which focused mostly on a single artist like Elton John and Smoky Robinson--it took on the nature of a Nashville “guitar pull,” where several songwriters sit around swapping songs and stories.
John had lived in London briefly during the height of British punk rock and the start of Costello’s career. A contrite Costello conceded that he should be the last one to question a fellow rocker’s stage name, since he himself works under one. He also hailed John’s then new “Life, Death, Love, And Freedom” album as “one of his very best.”
“It was an honor and a joy to be on that show,” John later recalled. “Elvis Costello is arguably the best songwriter of our generation, and an engaging host who showed interest in all of us. It was so interesting to me that I forgot I was on television, because I was so interested in what everyone had to say. Then I looked up and saw myself on the monitor and said, ‘Oh, shit!’”
Download on iTunes ($1.99 to $2.99 per episode)
Preorder DVD on Amazon.com
Preorder Bluray DVD on Amazon.com
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John a Big Part of Big Hall of Fame Set
John has four tracks on a huge upcoming DVD box set release from Time Life in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Sept. 11 release is entitled “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live” and comes in several configurations, including a 9 DVD collection featuring rare, one-of-a-kind performances from the induction ceremonies of the Rock Hall Of Fame, shot during the last 24 years. Each disc also features exclusive induction speeches by rock legends along with over an hour of bonus material, including rare, behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage.
Priced at $120, this edition contains 125 performances. But there’s an even bigger version available exclusively online for $265 that also includes five DVDs from “The History of Rock n’ Roll” series, plus a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: The First 25 Years book.
Amongst the 9 DVD's John is represented by performances of “Pink Houses,” “Small Town” (performed acoustically), “ROCK in the USA” and “Glad All Over,” the Dave Clark 5 hit that Joan Jett performed in tribute to the classic 1960s Brit group’s Hall of Fame induction in the same 2008 ceremony as John’s. Jett is backed by John and John’s band, with able assists from previous inductees John Fogerty and Billy Joel--who inducted John that night.
Click HERE for more information about the $120 edition and HERE for more about the $265.
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Examiner.com: No Better New Album For John Mellencamp
July 31st, 2009 - John Mellencamp isn’t wasting any time on his current tour with Bob Dylan.
During off days, he’s busy recording No Better Than This, his studio album follow-up to his acclaimed album from last year Life Death Love And Freedom (a condensed live version, Life Death Live And Freedom, came out a month ago).
But Mellencamp is using a different kind of studio to record No Better Than This, in keeping with his stated intention of making a different kind of album. In fact, the veteran singer-songwriter has called it “a complete change of style—and voice,” since he is recording his new songs in the style of classic folk blues records from the 1930s and ‘40s.
With that in mind, Mellencamp has already recorded at the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia (the oldest African-American church in North America), as well as the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis. Other historic buildings in the South will be used for future sessions, including the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, where blues pioneer Robert Johnson recorded blues staples like “Sweet Home Chicago” and “Crossroad Blues.”
Mellencamp has penned over 30 new songs for the project—way more than needed for an album’s worth of material. One song that is likely to make the cut is “Save Some Time To Dream,” which he performed at The Bob Dylan Show with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson tour stop earlier this month at the New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.
“Save some time to dream,” he sang, in a solo acoustic segment, “because a dream will save us all.”
The tour is one of the big concert packages of the summer and is being staged mainly at minor league baseball parks. Mellencamp’s participation—and his album recording sessions—are being lensed by famed photographer Kurt Markus for a documentary film project.
No Better Than This is being produced by T Bone Burnett, who produced Life Death Love and Freedom. It is being taped with antique recording equipment in order to get the sound and feel of the vintage blues recordings that are its model.
The new album is projected for release in early 2010.
Click HERE to read the article on their website (includes a studio photo).
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X Marks the (Elvis) Spot
August 3rd, 2009 - John, guitarist Andy York, and Life Death Love and Freedom producer T-Bone Burnett recorded last week at Memphis' legendary Sun Studios. “I stood on the X where Elvis stood [to record],” Mellencamp said with a grin the next day during a show in Durham, NC as quoted by writer Jelisa Castrodale. He continued before playing the new cut "Save Some Time to Dream" saying, “It was the most fun I’ve ever had making a record.”
“Kenny Aronoff played a cocktail drumkit we brought in from Indianapolis, and Don Was played upright bass and T Bone Burnett played this beautiful electric vibe guitar,” says York. “We rehearsed the song a couple times during soundcheck and it really felt like a band from the first note. It was a blast playing together.”
John, he notes, “sang with the conviction that he’s famous for.”
He adds: “We tried to make the song more spooky even than Neil’s original—with tremelo guitars and the cocktail drums and the upright bass all supporting John’s vocal delivery.”
John was the first performer in an all-star lineup that also included Ozomatli, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Leon Russell, Neko Case, Lady Antebellum, Norah Jones, Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams, Dave Matthews, Everest, Elvis Costello, Wilco, Ben Harper, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, James Taylor Dierks Bentley and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Aronoff and Was served as the house rhythm section.
USA Today cited John’s “brawny version” of “Down By the River” while Rolling Stone, noting that “the evening boasted some of the best that modern day artistry can offer,” called it “gritty.” Canadian press was also there to cover Toronto native Young, with the Toronto Sun terming John’s rendition “slow-burning” and the Vancouver Sun characterizing it as “a low-key swampy version.”
“It was fun having Jack Black as the emcee,” concludes York. “He was at the Kennedy Center Honors when we were there for Bruce Springsteen--dressed as Robin Hood in ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’ to honor Mel Brooks.”
York is now getting ready to return to Washington with John to participate in the “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” concert event on Feb.10.
Accompanied by Andy York, John performed an exultant version of “Pink Houses” that had the huge crowd singing along with them and the Brookland Baptist Choir (Columbia, S.C.) behind them. President-elect Obama and Mrs. Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and Dr. Biden were equally thrilled.
Besides John’s performance, the DVD features those by Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, Bettye LaVette, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, U2, Usher Raymond IV, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages are Jack Black, Steve Carell, Rosario Dawson, Jamie Foxx, Tom Hanks, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah, Laura Linney and Denzel Washington, with The RT. Reverend V. Gene Robinson giving the invocation.
The “We Are One” concert was originally broadcast by HBO. ABC presented the Neighborhood Ball on Inauguration night, which featured the new President’s and First Lady’s first dance to Beyoncé’s moving rendition of “At Last,” along with performances by will.i.am, Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Sting and Faith Hill.
Visit Amazon.com for more details and to order.
Hosted by President and Mrs. Obama in the White House East Room, the “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” concert event will celebrate Black History month. Other artists slated to perform include Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Howard University Choir, with Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah serving as emcees.
John will sing the hymn “Keep Your Eyes On the Prize,” which became a major Civil Rights anthem and has been recorded by the likes of Duke Ellington featuring Mahalia Jackson, Odetta, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, and Mavis Staples. He will be accompanied by T Bone Burnett.
The concert will be taped live by public TV station WETA Washington, D.C., to air Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide. Following opening remarks from the President, it will feature songs from the Civil Rights Movement as well as readings from famous Civil Rights speeches and writings.
“The songs of the Civil Rights Movement capture the spirit of that critical period so memorably,” said National Black Programming Consortium executive director Jacquie Jones. “To honor these songs at the White House and in a broadcast during Black History Month is a testament to that historic period in the American story, one that continues to change our lives.”
Mrs. Obama will also host a “Music that Inspired the Movement” workshop for 120 high school students from across the country that afternoon from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET. John, Smokey Robinson and John Legend will be there to relate personal stories about the music and sing the songs they’ll perform later that night in an “unplugged” context. The artists’ presence and participation will demonstrate the continuing relevance of music from the Civil Rights Movement to today’s generation--and its original impact in the 1960s.
This event will take place in the State Dining Room and be streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov for students all over the country.
John, of course, has long championed Civil Rights in his songs throughout his career. His performance at the White House marks a return to Washington a year after his participation in the historic “We Are One” concert at the Lincoln Memorial that kicked off President Obama’s inauguration festivities, where he and Andy York ripped into an exultant version of “Pink Houses” that had the huge crowd singing along with them and the Baptist choir behind them.
Incidentally, “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” is the third “In Performance at the White House” program during President Barack Obama’s administration (the series has been produced by WETA since 1978). A February 2009 event, “In Performance at the White House - Celebrating the Music of Stevie Wonder: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize,” honored musician Stevie Wonder’s receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and an October 2009 concert, “In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina,” was broadcast nationwide during National Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrated Hispanic musical heritage artists including Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan and José Feliciano. Additional information is available at In Performance At The White House
Ever since Simon Cowell’s decision to step down at the end of the current season of “American Idol,” entertainment bloggers and prognosticators have speculated as to who will take his place as the belligerent judge. And any number of stars have been suggested (or suggested themselves), everyone from La Toya Jackson to “America’s Got Talent” judge Piers Morgan (the 2-1 favorite, according to gambling site Bookmaker.com) to Elton John, whose rep quickly came out to nix the idea.
On Thursday, blogger Nicole Caminiti broached the inevitable in her “John Mellencamp: the Perfect Replacement for Simon Cowell on American Idol” piece. (LINK)
“I have followed this man's career for over 20 years and truth be told, I feel like I know him,” she wrote by way of explanation, no doubt expressing what many of John’s fans feel. “Mellencamp may have a reputation for being a tad ornery and difficult to get along with, however he is definitely a refined professional. He is diligent, tenacious, creative and energetic. John Mellencamp is a perfectionist who has literally made a career out of being a musical rebel. He has rebelled against politics, pop music, record companies and even Hollywood, yet he has consistently remained at the top of his game throughout the decades.”
She’s right on so far, except I’d make that two tads ornery to be on the safe side, three in case it’s a bad day. Caminiti thinks this and the other noted Mellencamp personality traits fit in well with Cowell’s—presuming that’s what the “AI” producers are looking for. “He is direct, outspoken and opinionated,” she continued. “He does not mince words, says exactly what's on his mind and doesn't care what anyone else thinks [and] his sharp tongue, confidence and musical insight make him the perfect candidate to replace Simon Cowell.”
But she also touched on an equally important attribute in John’s recognition and appreciation of talent. This is evident throughout his career in the great artists who have recorded with him and opened for him--Little Big Town being but the most recent example—and the many great songwriters like Richard Thompson and Steve Earle whom he’s championed over the years by covering their songs in concert long before they became well known.
And Caminiti did correctly note how “it's not just his fiery attitude and endurance that would make Mellencamp a great ‘American Idol’ judge. He has penned countless songs and melodies that pay homage to our country's heartland. He is an American storyteller who crafts relatable tales about the common man.”
Yet ironically, that’s also precisely why he would never really make it as an “AI” judge—that is, in the Cowell mold: Relating so well with the common man, the American storyteller finds it impossible to say anything bad about those who might be his subjects; in this regard, John’s way too nice of a guy to play the Cowell.
Go back to his highly anticipated 2007 guest spot on “Ebert & Roeper,” when he subsituted for the then laid up Ebert. A big film enthusiast, he was unable to say anything bad about any of the movies that were discussed, in fact, he loved them all. For the record, they were “Vacancy,” “Lonely Hearts,” “In the Land of Women” and “Fracture.” I can’t remember anything about any of them, and the only one Roeper liked was “In the Land of Women.”
So it’s quite unlikely he’d be willing to put down an “AI” contestant with any comment more caustic than “nice try.” No, the power move would have been to have hired John as Paula Abdul’s replacement. Looks aside, he’s a far better singer, and arguably, a better dancer.
“Farm Aid Presents Jason Mraz & Friends” premieres on Monday, Jan. 18, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and Pacific. It features performances by John and fellow Farm Aid board member Willie Nelson, as well as the full Farm Aid set from Mraz and songs by Will Dailey. It airs in both high definition and surround sound.
The Mraz special will be repeated throughout the rest of January and Feburary.
DIRECTV originally aired Farm Aid 2009 live from the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Mo., just outside of St. Louis. Ambassador Entertainment Inc. produced the live presentation and the “Farm Aid Presents” specials.
Subsequent broadcasts of “Farm Aid Presents Jason Mraz & Friends” on The 101 Network are scheduled as follows:
1/19/10 8:00 AM & 6:00 PM
1/21/10 7:00 AM & 11:00 AM & 2:00 AM
1/23/10 10:00 AM & 8:00 PM & 11:00 AM
1/24/10 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
1/25/10 8:00 AM
1/27/10 5:00 PM
1/29/10 7:00 AM
1/31/10 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
2/01/10 8:00 PM
2/06/10 8:00 AM
2/10/10 8:00 AM
2/14/10 4:00 AM
Please note that all times are ET and the schedule is subject to change.
In an effort to clarify, John, King and producer T Bone Burnett are finishing up the recording process for the deluxe three-CD set featuring the full text of the libretto and a recording of the music and script. The CD components involve the entire production—music and dialog—on two discs, with a single disc containing just the songs.
The set is still on track for release prior to the musical’s scheduled opening next September at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater. As has been reported, the production team has assembled a stellar cast to record the songs, including Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Dave and Phil Alvin. The casting of the Atlanta stage presentation is also underway.
Meanwhile, Burnett continues to record the actors who voice the speaking parts for the “Ghost Brothers” recordings.
As John said last month, “It’s hard enough to make a play with music work—even when you can see the actors singing. But here we have something that’s become way out of fashion: An audio program that allows the listener the opportunity to use his or her imagination!”
'Life, Love, Death and Freedom' is one of John Mellencamp's best albums…period. Its themes, lyrics and arrangements cut right through your soul. Even at fourteen-songs, Mellencamp has crafted a lean and reflective album with some of his most ingenuous and illuminating lyrics ever committed to tape. More importantly, he's found a way to properly present them thanks to the guided hand of producer T-Bone Burnett. The poignancy of his lyrics hasn't been this compelling in eons. One listen to "Longest Days" will leave you emotionally drained as his reedy voice reveals layers and elevates what is already magnificent poetry to art that is relevant to the here and now. These songs ring true to Mellencamp's ideologies and the themes in his larger body of work. T Bone Burnett's subtle production pulls you in and doesn't let go. The entire album is bursting with divine lyrics which find a common ground of redemption. There's a lot of life in these songs yet one can still see the same determination in Mellencamp from a quarter of a century back, he's still full of piss and vinegar.
Click HERE to read the full article on antimusic.com
After Jon Stewart’s very funny and personal introduction and a heartfelt homage from paralyzed Vietnam War veteran and Born on the Fourth Of July author Ron Kovic, John Mellencamp commenced a round of Springsteen songs, to be followed by Ben Harper and Jennifer Nettles (“I’m On Fire”), Melissa Etheridge (“Born To Run”), Eddie Vedder (“My City Of Ruins”) and Sting (“The Rising,” backed by a gospel choir).
But where the others delivered comparably standard versions, Mellencamp started “Born In The U.S.A.” as a folk song, backed by his acoustic guitar, minimal electric guitar support from his guitarist Andy York, and subtle tambourine percussion from the house band’s—and Mellencamp’s former longtime drummer--Kenny Aronoff. After slowing it down further to finish the first chorus a cappella, he loudly counted off the beat and kicked the band into high Springsteen rock gear (there was a great cutaway to show Brubeck slapping the rhythm on his knee), then finished it again a cappella.
“Born in a dead man’s town,” he sang, reprising the song’s opening couplet. “The first kick I took was when I hit the ground.” He left no room for seeing the song as anything but a disillusioned Vietnam vet’s protest--so clear in Springsteen’s lyrics, but so typically overlooked in its unintended misuse as a patriotic anthem.
“I was very proud and humbled to have been able to play ‘Born In The U.S.A.’ in a different fashion--that I think was true to the feelings that Bruce had when he wrote it,” Mellencamp told his web site Mellencamp.com shortly after the program was taped on Dec. 6. “As just some kid in New Jersey making records, I bet he never imagined in his wildest dreams that he’d someday be honored in this fashion. I’m glad to have been there to acknowledge the influence he’s had on all of us.”
In remarks that were edited out of the two-hour broadcast, Indiana native Mellencamp reportedly recalled how in 1973, he first heard a new artist’s music being played in a local record store, then went up to the clerk and asked who the artist was. After being told it was Bruce Springsteen—and that the album was the store’s only copy of The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle—he asked if he could buy it.
It was the best $3.99 he ever spent, Mellencamp said, then dedicated his version of “Born in the U.S.A.” to the soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Click HERE to read the article on Examiner.com.
Click HERE to watch the video in HD on youtube.
