The weakness, unfortunately, is the gravel-chewing vocals Mellencamp went with for most of its songs - be it from a conscious choice or necessity as the years pile up. Its strength is in the musicianship of Mellencamp's merry band of mostly Hoosiers (drummer Dane Clark, pianist Troye Kinnett, bassist John Gunnell and violinist Miriam Sturm have roots here). Mellencamp's 25th studio album has its slow, almost jazz-like piano ballads ("Gone so Soon"), violin-thumping country tunes ("Driving in the Rain") and even the faintest hint of pop ("Wasted Days," with Bruce Springsteen), but central lyrical themes of deception, rain and analyzing an eventful life carry on throughout, as in the opening verse from "Wasted Days":įor fans who've plotted Mellencamp's trajectory as an artist over the decades, it's worth tracking his latest movements through the album. John Mellencamp: Rock legend will release his first new music in 5 years Friday. Like any good writer - and there's no denying the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is that, even some years removed from his megahits - this does not mean the songs all sound the same. Its first chord is as grim a sound as 12 strings can make, and that tone carries on through the album. Hoosier rock legend John Mellencamp's latest album, " Simply a One-Eyed Jack," out Friday, brings the melancholy and self-examination in spades. The pandemic has been a banner 18 months for melancholic self-reflection, and art often reflects reality. The encore was a high-energy affair, with Mellencamp and his band delivering three of their biggest hits: “Pink Houses,” “Chasing Rainbows,” and “Cherry Bomb.” The crowd was on its feet for the entire encore, dancing and singing along with every song.Watch Video: John Mellencamp enters Songwriters Hall of Fame Seamlessly blending “Crumblin’ Down” with “Gloria,” getting the audienceto sing along with both songs as if they were one. John and his band also had some fun with the setlist, mixing in unexpected covers with their own songs. Throughout the night, Mellencamp mixed in songs from his latest album with classic hits like “Jack & Diane,” “Rain on the Scarecrow,” and “Lonely Ol’ Night.” The crowd responded just as enthusiastically to the new material as they did to the classics, a testament to the enduring appeal of Mr. The concert goers sang every word of the song, and the well verse lead singer seemed to feed off their energy as he delivered a passionate performance. One of the highlights of the night was “Small Town,” a song that has become an anthem for people living in rural areas all over North America. From there, the band launched into “Paper in Fire” and “Minutes to Memories,” two classic tracks from their catalog that had the venue singing along from the first note. Mellencamp opened the show with “John Cockers,” a track off his 2019 album “Other People’s Stuff.” The song set the tone for the night, with Mellencamp’s powerful vocals and the band’s tight musicianship getting the fans fired up right from the start. The concert was a perfect blend of old and new, with the crowd responding excitedly to every song played throughout the night. From start to finish, the entire evening was a showcase of Mellencamp’s musical prowess and the incredible talent and musicianship of his band. Fans of John Mellencamp were treated to an incredible night of music on March 13th, 2023, at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, BC.
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