JOHNNY COUGAR (John Mellencamp) |
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John Mellencamp is one of Americas rock elite. He, along with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, are at the top of a very small group of songwriters that are so perfectly tuned into the "Everyman." Farmers, steelworkers and carpenters can all relate to Mellencamp's down home themes. That is what makes this release so infinitely listenable. Young "Johnny Cougar", as he was known at the time, is on full display as a growing artist. Less than half of the discs thirteen tracks were actually penned by Mellencamp do mainly to the fact that, as a first release, Mellencamp had yet to prove his writing would sell. Time would prove him to be not only a prolific writer but also one of the most exciting performers to trod the world's stages. Of the discs best tracks both "American Dream" and "Hit the Road Jack" stand as some of Mellencamp's best work ever. The latter still appears in the live set from time to time. "CHESTNUT STREET INCIDENT" has been out of print for a criminally long time and this version with its expanded artwork and bonus tracks is certainly the ticket for a glimpse at the icon in his embryonic stages. Released By Snapper Music Review by David Tinta |
JOHN COUGAR (John Mellencamp) |
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Recorded only a few years before his first major hits, "THE KID INSIDE" showcases John Mellencamp nearing full writing maturity. Instead of an album half filled with cover versions "THE KID INSIDE" features eleven tracks credited to Mellencamp, himself, and one go at the David Bowie classic, "The Man Who Sold the World." By the end of the disc you can smell the success brewing. "Kid Inside", "Cheap Shot", "American Son", "Too Young To Live" and "The Whore" are all pure Americana that make this disc a required purchase for any fan that feels the need to rock like they did down home. This Christmas there will be a new Mellencamp record in the bins and while you are getting that release you should definitely pick this one up as well. Released by Snapper Records. Website : http://www.snappermusic.com/index2.htm Review by David Lee |