Search - John Mellencamp :: Lonesome Jubilee (Rpkg)

Essential recording from an artist at his peak

A. Gammill | West Point, MS United States | 07/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While 1985 seminal SCARECROW remains the signature John Mellencamp album, THE LONESOME JUBILEE, in my opinion, is his greatest musical achievement. Both discs have a lot to say, lyrically speaking. But whereas Scarecrow scored the messages with 60's-influenced rock, Jubilee expands this sound to include more rustic instrumentation. The result is a pleasure to hear, as Mellencamp and his band effortlessly (or so it seems) make every song a keeper. Even potentially heavy-handed material such as "We Are the People" and "Empty Hands" (with one of my favorite lines, "They say people get what they deserve/But Lord, sometimes it's much worse than that") is served up with such conviction that it's hard to fault their earnestness.



Unreleased material (the bonus track) is, of course, always welcome. But as someone has already mentioned, it sure would have been nice to have the b-sides from Jubilee's singles on the disc. Or even John's VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS contribution, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," which was released shortly after this album came out.



But I've still got my treasured 45's, so I can live with it. In any event, if you only get one Mellencamp remastered disc, this is the one.

"

Another American classic from John Mellencamp.

M J Heilbron Jr. | Long Beach, CA United States | 08/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Lonesome Jubilee" is the third Mellencamp masterpiece in a row. And here it is, in an exquisitely remastered CD.



From the Stones-y squall of "Uh-Huh" to the Springsteen sweep of "Scarecrow", we now have an album that can only be 'qualified' as "Mellencamp."



His artistic growth here reflects his absorbed influences and then expands them. There are new instruments, new textures, new tempos. His lyrics are more expressive, more vivid and more concise. There is a fearlessness to his recording...a confidence beyond his previously problematic braggadocio.



In simpler terms, this album rocks. It's awesome.



Opening with the thrilling guitar-lap steel-fiddle-accordion-God know what else "hook" from "Paper in Fire", Mellencamp sets the stage for the unexpected. When his beloved drummer Kenny Aronoff kicks in, a smile will spread across your face. You instinctively will recognize his "sound", but also realize he doing more with it than he ever has before.



The angular "Down and Out in Paradise", with it's off-kilter push-pull rhythms, follows. This is one of those first person narratives with a terrific sense of immediacy...and "Check It Out" has a nice gentle, anthemic quality to it. I love the soaring fiddle-led hook, and so must have a lot of folks, as it's now one of his more-recognized songs.



"The Real Life" is a bit weaker melodically, but the band sounds tight and amazing. Every piece in its' place. "Cherry Bomb" has a soothing, friendly tone with terrific duet-like backup vocals and again, that lilting fiddle dancing above the whole song. Plus that accordion hook...it was an instant classic, and deservedly so.



"We Are The People" is where he falters a bit...a little too heavy-handed compared to the rest of the album. The music, again, is outstanding...it's now "his" sound. "Empty Hands" is another not-so-wonderful moment...a little boring...



It proves to be a momentary setback, as the album comes roaring back with three killer tunes in a row. "Hard Times For An Honest Man" gets the mix right. He's very direct with his point, yet the melody serves the lyrics, and the music is irresistible. "Hotdogs and Hamburgers" gallops along at a brisk pace, another one of his classic "story songs" with intimate details and epic bridges.



"Rooty Toot Toot" may be my favorite. It's a perfect song. Killer hooks, sweet instrumental breaks, a chorus you'll be singing before the song is over. Sure, it won't change the world, but for three minutes and 33 seconds, it will make YOUR world a lot better! Just a terrific way to end the album...



The extra track isn't much...a less-than-two minute snippet blues with multiple vocalists...the album was perfect as it was.



These remasters have been revelatory, and should urge other artists and record companies to reassess their catalogs. Bruce, U2, Prince...heck, the Beatles should be so lucky to have their albums treated with such care."

Mellencamp is Mellencamp.

Vic | So Cal | 09/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Lonesome Jubilee remastered edition is a great album made even better! If you have the original release of this cd I highly recomend that you buy this one, as well. Even if you are just a casual John Mellencamp fan you will love it!



The other reviewers do an excellent job of describing Lonesome Jubilee, so there is no reason for me to be redundant.



However, I disagree with the other reviewers (and most rock critics) who feel that John Mellencamp is a poor-man's Bruce Springsteen. John Mellencamp is not a poor man's anything or anybody.



The two main arguments behind the new Springsteen tag are the fact that Mellencamp sings about his region and writes introspective songs. The Beach Boys wrote about their region and John Lennon wrote introspectively. I don't hear or see any mention of those two facts in regards to Springsteen.



I have been a Springsteen fan since the mid-70s and I have always enjoyed his music very much. His music is a big part of the sound track of my high school and college days. However, I feel Mellencamp's music and song writing is even better than that of the BOSS. When Mellencamp released the Scarecrow album people were saying that he was just copying Springsteen's Born In The USA theme. I was always quick to point out that the song Pink Houses came out before Born In The USA did. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Mellencamp is Mellencamp!"