John Mellencamp - Trouble No More CD

Trouble No More buy CD music Billy Payne (piano); Craig Frost (organ); David Hood, Chris Campbell (bass); David Teegarden, Roger Hawkins (drums, percussion); Russ Kunkel (drums); Bobbye Hall (percussion); Laura Creamer, Joan Sliwin (background vocals). Upon the release of GREATEST HITS VOL. 2, Michigan's answer to Bruce Springsteen had receded into the Boss' considerably large shadow, thanks to a self-imposed hiatus that found him recording only two studio albums in the 1990s. Despite the seemingly short attention span of the pop music world, this particular collection presents a fine argument that may reinforce Bob Seger's stature in the eyes of non-die-hard fans that only know him from regular rotation on classic rock radio. This compilation dips into Seger's periodic soundtrack contributions ranging from TEACHERS' piano-driven "Understanding" and the soaring MOR Martina McBride duet "Chances Are" from HOPE FLOATS to "Shakedown," the rocker's only chart-topper from BEVERLY HILLS COP II. The collection also scratches the surface of Seger's influences, particularly when he goes back to 1981 and 1974, with covers of Rodney Crowell's countrified lament "Shame on the Moon" and Tom Waits' barfly anthem "New Coat of Paint," respectively. This Detroit native also tips a hat to his harder-rocking side by tossing classics like the salacious "The Fire Down Below," the howling "Her Strut," and "Tomorrow," a song written for this album that boasts a stomping tempo and Joan Osborne-like harmonies. Additional Tracks Personnel: Bob Seger (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica); Martina McBride, Glenn Frey (vocals); Pete Carr (acoustic & electric guitars); Drew Abbott (guitar); Harvey Thompson (tenor saxophone); Ron Eades (baritone saxophone); Harrison Galloway (trumpet); Charles Rose (trombone); Barry Beckett (piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer); Matt Rollings, Producers include: Bob Seger, Bill Szymczyk, ...

Trouble No More CD music John Mellencamp's heartland rock has attracted as many critics as fans, but regardless of the listener's stance, 2007's FREEDOM'S ROAD makes one thing abundantly clear: Mellencamp is very, very good at what he does. The artist has used the five years since his last album of all-new material to full effect, crafting the songs, sound, and themes of FREEDOM ROAD to perfection. Mellencamp's usual mixture of rock, folk, blues, and country is here in full force, but it feels refined to a sharp edge on both rousing, anthemic tracks ("The Americans") and haunting atmospheric ones (like "Jim Crow," which features Joan Baez on guest vocals). The song "Our Country," popularized in a truck commercial, is here, yet stands tall in the context of the album, taking on an unexpected vitality. The sound is bold and rootsy (thanks in part to the country quartet Little Big Town), and the songs paint on a large canvas their American tales of desperation, integrity, tragedy, and hope. But Mellencamp's vision, while broad, is rarely sentimental or contrived, resulting in one of his finest overall releases since UH-HUH and SCARECROW. Freedom's Road, the culmination of a year's worth of composing, arranging, recording and mixing is a collection of songs that reflect the climate and concerns of present day America. Lyrically, the album is not overtly political but offers an insightful, plain-spoken perspective on contemporary conditions. The lyrics, contemplative and hopeful, are set off by the garage-born organic sound of Mellencamp and his band. Band members participating in the sessions for Freedom's Road included Mike Wanchic (guitar, vocals), Andy York (guitar, vocals, flute-a-phone), Miriam Sturm (violin), John Gunnell (bass), Dane Clark (drums), and Troye Kinnett (keyboards). The album's tone and themes are underscored by such Mellencamp-penned originals as 'Ghost Towns Along The Highway,' 'Rural Route,' and 'The Americans.' Of the album's title track, Mellencamp notes, `Freedom's Road' is a promise that you have to go through hell to redeem. Billboard called Our Country an appreciable fable of tolerance, hope and empowerment, citing his latest offering as 'a jubilant return.' Recording information: Belmont Mall (06/2006-08/2006); The Garage (06/2006-08/2006). Photographers: Elaine Mellencamp; Kurt Markus. Personnel: John Mellencamp (vocals, guitar); John Mellencamp; Joan Baez (vocals); John Gunnell (bass guitar); Scott Davis (percussion); Mike Wanchic, Andy York (vocals, guitar); Miriam Sturm (violin); Troye Kinnett (keyboards); Dane Clark (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Don Smith .

Trouble No More songs John Cougar and the American listening public became inseparable after this landmark album arrived in 1982. While AMERICAN FOOL wasn't John Cougar's first full-length recording, it was the one wherein he gained commercial and artistic footing, and established a formula that would become his trademark style--simple roots-rock melodies with stirring choruses, unguardedly emotional vocals, and lyrics that reflect the experiences of the common man. Album opener "Hurts So Good" is a playful rocker (with a dangerously catchy refrain) that has become part of the pop canon, and "Jack & Diane" is one of the great slice-of-life songs of the '80s. While both songs loom large, other overlooked treasures include "China Girl," with its cheeky faux-Chinese guitar riff, and the ballad "Weakest Moments," which blends transcendent acoustic-guitar changes with a gorgeous, careworn melody. Here and elsewhere on this well-written record, Cougar proves he's nobody's fool. Recording information: Cherokee (1981-1982); Criteria Studios (1981-1982). Photographer: Jürgen Vollmer. Personnel: John Cougar (vocals, guitar); Larry Crane, Mike Wanchic (guitar); George "Chocolate" Perry (bass); Ken Aronoff (drums). Personnel: John Cougar; Larry Crane , Mike Wanchic (guitar); Kenny Aronoff (drums); George "Chocolate" Perry.

Trouble No More album for sale With 1985's SCARECROW, John Cougar Mellencamp established himself as an uncompromising artist fully in control of his professional and artistic pursuits. With THE LONESOME JUBILEE, however, he set out to paint his masterpiece. Fully embracing the aesthetic found on the classic hits "Pink Houses" and "Jack and Diane," the Indiana native explores rock's rootsier elements, while forgoing the poetic aspirations of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan in favor of simpler, straight-from-the-gut lyricism. In the process, Mellencamp created the trademark working-class pop hybrid that defined his brand of "heartland rock." Backed by folksy fiddle and accordion, jangling power-pop guitars, and a pounding beat equal parts Memphis soul and Rolling Stones, the singer repeatedly explores the twin themes of broken dreams ("Paper in Fire," "The Real Life") and simple pleasures ("Cherry Bomb," "Rooty Toot Toot"). Simultaneously an arena-ready Grand Statement and a Saturday night hoe-down, THE LONESOME JUBILEE goes a long way towards fusing the rebel spirit and brash roar of no-frills rock & roll with the emotionally direct twang of the best country music. Audio Remasterer: Bob Ludwig. Personnel: John Cougar Mellencamp (vocals, guitar); Larry Crane (guitar, steel guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica); Mike Wanchic (guitar, banjo, dobro, dulcimer); Kenny Aronoff (hammered dulcimer, vibraphone, percussion); Toby Myers (banjo, bass); Lisa Germano (fiddle); John Cascella (accordion, melodica, keyboards); Pat Peterson (percussion, background vocals); Crystal Talifero (background vocals). Personnel: John Mellencamp (vocals); Larry Crane (guitar, mandolin); Mike Wanchic (guitar, background vocals); Lisa Germano (violin); John Cascella (pennywhistle, accordion, Farfisa, Hammond b-3 organ); Kenny Aronoff (vibraphone, drums); Toby Myers (bass guitar, background vocals); Crystal Taliefero, Pat Peterson (background vocals).

Trouble No More CD music For 1983's UH HUH, the follow-up to his breakthrough album, AMERICAN FOOL, John Cougar reclaimed his real last name--Mellencamp--while keeping "Cougar" as a middle name. The change is significant, since UH HUH still features the swaggering rock & roll of John Cougar, in the form of the raucous "Crumblin' Down" and the defiant "Authority Song," while pointing towards his more mature John Mellencamp days with "Pink Houses," a celebration of small-town America. The aforementioned tunes were all major hits for Mellencamp, and they make up the first three songs on this front-loaded record. The rest of UH HUH, however, is not to be overlooked. "Warmer Place to Sleep" works an energetic Stones-y riff, "Serious Business" is a kissing cousin to "Crumblin' Down" and the earlier "Hurts So Good," and "Golden Gates" proves to be a gentle closing number. For a potent dose of Mellencamp's "heartland rock," look no further than this album. Recorded at the Shack, Jackson County, Indiana in July 1983. Personnel: John Cougar Mellencamp (vocals); Jay Ferguson, Carroll Sue Hill (vocals); Larry Crane , Mike Wanchic (guitar); Louis Johnson, Willie Weeks, Toby Myers (bass guitar); Kenny Aronoff (drums). Personnel: John Cougar Mellencamp (vocals); Larry Crane, Mike Wanchic (guitar); Toby Myers (bass); Ken Aronoff (drums); Louis Johnson, Willie Weeks, Carroll Sue Hill, Jay Ferguson.

Trouble No More buy CD music NOTHIN' MATTERS AND WHAT IF IT DID (1980) showed John Cougar moving slowly but surely toward the sound that would bring him enormous commercial success with 1982's AMERICAN FOOL. While Cougar's earliest albums were dominated by a slick rock sound that owed a fair bit to both Bruce Springsteen's passionate approach and the Rolling Stones' bluesy raunch, NOTHIN' MATTERS diversifies that sound, adding elements of R&B, country, and the poppy folk-rock that would keep Cougar a superstar throughout the '80s. Two songs from NOTHIN' MATTERS were Top 40 hits: the bouncy "This Time" and the gentle "Ain't Even Done with the Night," one of Cougar's strongest early tunes. Cougar's allegiance to Springsteen-style narratives and vocal inflections is still apparent (on "To M.G. [Wherever She May Be]" and "Wild Angel," in particular), yet he synthesizes his influences effectively here, while simultaneously mixing in more genres and simplifying his sound. NOTHIN' MATTERS signals the beginning of his signature style--rootsy, honest, and full of conviction. Audio Mixers: Dee Robb; Bruce Robb. Audio Remasterer: Bob Ludwig. Photographer: Jimmy Wachtel. Personnel: John Cougar (vocals); Michael Wanchic, Larry Crane (guitar); Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (steel guitar); Doc Rosser, John Jarvis (piano); Kenny Aronoff (vibraphone); Robert Frank (bass); Rick Shlosser, Ed Green (drums); Susan Duitch" Helmer (background vocals). Personnel: John Cougar (vocals); Larry Cranem, Larry Crane (guitar, background vocals); Jeff Baxter (pedal steel guitar); Robert Frank (bass guitar); Ed Green , Ed Green (drums); Duitch Helmer, Susan Helmer (background vocals); Mike Wanchic (guitar, background vocals); David Woodford (saxophone); John Jarvis, Doc Rosser (piano); Kenny Aronoff (vibraphone); Rick Shlosser (drums).