John Mellencamp Community

...24 years ago today. Great article shared on Tower Records facebook page at following link.


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150345480516197&set=a.425403421196.212406.54075391196&type=1&theater

ON THIS DATE (24 YEARS AGO)
August 24, 1987 - John Cougar Mellencamp: The Lonesome Jubilee is released.
# Allmusic 4.5/5

The Lonesome Jubilee is the ninth album by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, credited as John Cougar Mellencamp. The album was released by Mercury Records on August 24, 1987. Four singles were released from the album, the first two in 1987 and the last two in 1988.

The album was one of Mellencamp's most successful worldwide, charting in ten countries. The album was most successful in Canada where it topped RPM magazine's Top Albums chart and became the artist's highest certified album by Music Canada (formerly the Canadian Recording Industry Association) becoming 6x platinum.

Around the time of The Lonesome Jubilee's recording, John's Uncle Joe had died of cancer at the age of 57, which greatly influenced the album.

While the album was being recorded, Riva Records had ceased to function, so the artist moved to Mercury Records, who would continue to release material by Mellencamp until 1998.

The sessions for The Lonesome Jubilee took place at Belmont Mall Studio in Belmont, Indiana and started in September 1986 and lasted until June 1987, a period of nine months. The sessions were produced by Mellencamp with Don Gehman and were engineered by Gehman and David Leonard.

The sound on the album was a departure from Mellencamp's previous albums and included many traditonal folk and country instruments in order to make his audience aware of the "once-familiar social landscape" of folk music. The risk of making music counter to the mainstream of rock music payed off with the album's success.

REVIEW
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, allmusic
John Mellencamp's fascination with the American heartland came into full flower on Scarecrow, but with its follow-up, The Lonesome Jubilee, he began exploring American folk musics, adding fiddle, accordions, and acoustic guitars to his band, which allowed him to explore folk and country. The expansion of his band coincided with his continuing growth as a songwriter. Song for song, The Lonesome Jubilee is Mellencamp's strongest album, the record where he captured his romantic, if decidedly melancholy, vision of working-class America. He may recycle the same lyrical ideas as before, but he captures them better than ever, and his music is richer, which gives the album resonance. Again, there are a few moments where Mellencamp's reach exceeds his grasp, but "Paper in Fire," "Check It Out," "Cherry Bomb," "Empty Hands," and "Hard Times for an Honest Man" make the record his best.

TRACKS:
All songs written by John Mellencamp, except where noted.
"Paper in Fire" – 3:51
"Down and Out in Paradise" – 3:37
"Check It Out" – 4:19
"The Real Life" – 3:57
"Cherry Bomb" – 4:47
"We Are the People" – 4:17
"Empty Hands" (Mellencamp/Green) – 3:43
"Hard Times for an Honest Man" – 3:27
"Hotdogs and Hamburgers" – 4:04
"Rooty Toot Toot" – 3:29
"Blues from the Front Porch" (2005 re-issue bonus track) – 2:02

Thanks for posting this, loved the line full flower.

Wow, doesn't feel like that long ago and the music is still contemporary and relevant.  Thanks for posting.  Trying not to feel too old... really, 24 years ago.  You sure it wasn't just yesterday.  :)

Jane

I'm thankful JM took the risk to make a record going against the grain of the traditional rock sound. This record is in my top 5 of favorites.

So true, John really coming into his own with this one!

so true!