I’m not fond of live albums. Usually, the sound is bad and many musicians outside the recording studio sound worse. There are exceptions. I love Sarah McLachlan’s Mirrorball. And I’m a fan of Loreena McKennitt’s live albums. Jackson Brown’s Running On Empty is a classic. But, they are the exceptions. So factor that in to this review of John Mellencamp’s Trouble No More, a collection of mostly blues and folk songs. The first 10 songs on this CD are songs I will never listen to again. They are just not music I like. Song #11 is “Small Town” which was a hit for Mellencamp. #13 “Teardrops Will Fall” is the best song on the CD. #15 “Pink Houses” is another of Mellencamp’s hits. I might listen to those three songs sometime in the future. But, for me, this CD was a disappointment. GRADE: C-
TRACK LIST:
1 Stones in My Passway (3:17)
2 Death Letter (6:16)
3 To Washington (3:17)
4 Highway 61 Revisited (4:40)
5 Baltimore Oriole (4:03)
6 Joliet Bound (3:30)
7 Down in the Bottom (3:28)
8 Johnny Hart (4:45)
9 Diamond Joe (4:28)
10 John the Revelator (3:28)
11 Small Town (4:16)
12 Lafayette (3:44)
13 Teardrops Will Fall (4:22)
14 Paper in Fire (4:06)
15 Pink Houses (5:42)
Bummer.
There are some live albums I like: Otis Redding at Monterey Pop, Bob Seger’s Nine Tonight, the Jackson Browne.
Jeff, the songs on this CD for the most part just didn’t appeal to me. I’m not a big blues or folky guy.
I was going to ask if you don/t like anyone’s “Baltimore Oriole”…I never need to hear Mellencamp’s music again, myself, though he’s not the worst of his time or milieu.
Todd, Hoagy Carmichael did the definitive version of “Baltimore Oriole.”
CSNY’s Four-Way Street and Joni Mitchell’s Miles of Aisles are my favorite live albums. But, on the whole, I’m with you: not a fan of live recordings; give me a studio recording and save the live music for concerts.
Deb, you’ll be interested in my FORGOTTEN MUSIC post tomorrow. I had forgotten about MILES OF AISLES which is terrific.
The New York Rock & Soul Revue, with Donald Fsgen, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs and the late Phoebe Snow is also good. Phoebe’s “At Last” kicks Beyonce’s butt.
Jeff, I have that New York Rock & Soul Revue CD. You’re right on the money with Phoebe Snow’s rendition of “At Last.”
And kicking Ms Knowles’s butt is a low bar (only a cad would further note, an easy target).
Too bad. Did you listen to the track previews before you bought it?
James, usually I preview the music of a prospective CD purchase online before I buy. But this time, I was in Wal-Mart and I saw TROUBLE NO MORE for cheap so it was an impulse buy…which I now regret.