Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Scarecrow
Company: Mercury
Catalog: 824 865-1
Year: 1986
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: --
Available: 2
Price: $4.00
Having turned down an opportunity to participate in Live Aid in order to organize the initial Farm Aid project, Mellencamp subsequently returned with what was perhaps his most
consistent and enjoyable effort. Co-produced with Don Gehman and recorded in his new Indiana home studio, 1986's
"Scarecrow" found Mellencamp incorporating country, folk and a newfound sense of social activism into the mix. Musically the LP's always struck us as being a concept piece, and while some of Mellencamp's social and political commentaries weren't particularly deep, exemplified by tracks such as "Rain On the Scarecrow", "Minutes To Memories" and "Smalltown" it was nice to know that someone was interested in the plight of the farmer and the growing swath of Americans who were in danger of falling through the nation's safety net. Tuneful (while sporting an attractive raw sound) and tight (thanks to his top notch backing band), Mellencamp's blue collar roots proved perfectly suited to the country's prevailing attitudes and outlook. Backed by strong reviews and a supporting tour, the album spun off a remarkable five top-40 singles ("Lonely Ol' Night", "Small Town," "R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A.", the title track and "Rumbleseat). The singles and near constant radio play kicked the parent album to #2 and multi-platinum sales. (The collection was dedicated to Mellencamp's late grandfather Speck.)
"Scarecrow" track listing:
1.) Rain on the Scarecrow (Green - John Mellencamp) - 3:45
2.) Grandma's Theme - 0:55
3.) Small Town (John Mellencamp) - 3:41
4.) Minutes to Memories (Green - John Mellencamp) - 4:11
5.) Lonely Ol' Night (John Mellencamp) - 3:45
6.) The Face of the Nation (John Mellencamp) - 3:13
7.) Justice and Independence '85 (John Mellencamp) - 3:31
8.) Between a Laugh and a Tear (John Mellencamp) - 4:30
9.) Rumbleseat (John Mellencamp) - 2:57
10.) You've Got to Stand for Somethin' (John Mellencamp) - 4:31
11.) R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (John Mellencamp) - 2:54
12.) The Kind of Fella I Am (John Mellencamp) - 2:56
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: The Lonesome Jubilee
Company: Mercury
Catalog: 832-465-1
Year: 1987
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: --
Available: 2
Price: $4.00
Continuing his collaboration with producer
Gehman, "The Lonesome Jubilee" found Mellencamp signed to Mercury. Musically the set differed considerably from it's predecessor; Mellencamp insisting that each band member learn how to play new instruments. Highly commercial, tracks such as "Cherry Bomb", "Hotdogs and Hamburgers", "Check It Out" and
"Rooty Toot Toot" cheerfully exhibited Mellencamp's middle America values . Elsewhere the addition of fiddle player Lisa Germano and multi-instrumentalist John Cascella added a distinctive country and folk influence to tracks such as "The Real Life" and "Empty Hands". For those who enjoyed Mellencamp's newly discovered sense of social activism, there was "Paper In Fire", "We Are the People" and "Hard Times for an Honest Man". While the sentiments may have been a tad self-righteous, they were certainly heartfelt and a nice change from the standard "give-us-the-money-and-fuck-off" attitude so common within the industry.
Smooth, confident and a pleasure to listen to, the album may have been Mellencamp's most attractive endeavor. Paced by a brief American tour and four top-100 singles, the parent album quickly sold platinum, hitting #6. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"The Lonesome Jubilee: track listing:
1.) Paper in Fire (John Mellencamp) - 3:53
2.) Down and Out in Paradise (John Mellencamp) - 3:39
3.) Check It Out (John Mellencamp) - 4:20
4.) The Real Life (John Mellencamp) - 3:56
5.) Cherry Bomb (John Mellencamp) - 4:49
6.) We Are the People (John Mellencamp) - 4:16
7.) Empty Hands (Green - John Mellencamp) - 3:44
8.) Hard Times for an Honest Man (John Mellencamp) - 3:28
9.) Hotdogs and Hamburgers (John Mellencamp) - 4:04
10.) Rooty Toot Toot (John Mellencamp) - 3:29
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Big Daddy
Company: Mercury
Catalog: 838220-1
Year: 1989
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor ring wear
Available: 1
Price: $4.00
Recorded in the wake of major personal upheavals
(Mellencamp found himself in the midst of a nasty separation from his second wife; at the same time discovering he was a grandfather), 1989's
"Big Daddy" came as a shock to many fans. In comparison to recent efforts, material such as the title track, "Void In My Heart" and
"J.M.'s Question" came off as stark, depressing and deeply pessimistic. Self-produced and propelled by Kenny Aronoff's earth shattering percussion, much of the set featured a purposely scaled back, almost
low tech sound. Also noticeable, an ever increasing quotient of country influences ("Jackie Brown" and "Mansions In Heaven"). Against those comments, it's interesting to note the album's one of Mellencamp's more interesting efforts (note we didn't say commercial). Thoughtful and introspective (overlooking the irritating top-20 hit "Pop Singer"), it made for a nice change of pace. Propelled by the top-20 single "Pop Singer", the parent album provided another big seller, peaking at #7.
"Big Daddy" track listing:
1.) Big Daddy of Them All (John Mellencamp) -
2.) To Live (John Mellencamp) -
3.) Martha Say (John Mellencamp) -
4.) Theo and Weird Henry (John Mellencamp) -
5.) Jackie Brown (John Mellencamp) -
6.) Pop Singer (John Mellencamp) -
7.) Void In My Heart (John Mellencamp) -
8.) Mansions In Heaven (John Mellencamp) -
9.) Sometimes a Great Notion (John Mellencamp) -
10.) Country Gentleman (John Mellencamp) -
11.) J.M.'s Question (John Mellencamp) -