John Mellencamp is the voice of small-town America and the average Joe. His song "Jack and Diane" is, aside from being a powerful anthem of youth and innocence, is being played as much on the radio today as it was in the summer of 1984 when it became his only number one hit. Now he is back with a fresh and original sound to some of his classics. In The Rough Harvest Sessions Mellencamp takes a simple acoustic sound, throws in a few stringed instruments and slows the tempo to make a fresh and relaxing album. Aside from past hits like "Rain on the Scarecrow," "Key West Intermezzo," and his cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Nights" being reworked, he also covers two of Bob Dylan's powerful anthems, "In My Time of Dying" and "Farewell Angelina" as well as a folksy remake of "Under the Boardwalk." This is not a second greatest hits CD, as I assumed it was when I picked it up. It is Mellencamp's music in a whole new perspective, and I like. It's not only a bold move, but it makes for excellent music. |
