Company Line: Mellencamp returns to his roots with twelve classic
American folk/blues songs.
The Good:
“Stones In My Passway” – A fantastic cover of Robert Johnson’s classic.
“Joliet Bound” – What a fantastic cover. You almost feel like Mellencamp is preparing for a long, hot day crushing stone in county blues.
“Death Letter” – Son House wouldn’t disagree with Mellencamp taking his song around the block. The guitar licks and finished touch bring folk back to life.
“Teardrops Will Fall” – A perfect piece for JM as it sounds like one of his own.
“The End Of The World” – He’s never sounded better.
The Marginal:
“Baltimore Oriole” – Not entirely up to par with Hoagy Carmichael’s original.
The Ugly:
“To Washington” – This blues concoction is an attempt to be political, but honestly it’s corny. I have no issues with Mellencamp taking President Bush to task except that it sounds forced and weak.
Frankly: John Mellencamp isn’t transforming just going back to his roots. This cover album is just that even though it has a bit more heart and soul than some of Mellencamp’s most recent original releases. The real hope for me is that Mellencamp can open up some new listeners to the original folk practitioners.
+ rae gun
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