Conference mr1pst::music

    RE-1
    
    
      That should have read "Paper IN fire"
    
                                              oooppppsss
    
      what a way to start a note.....8-)
    
                                                    Davie

    .0�    1. Has anyone ever seen him live ??? ( if so could you please review
    .0�       a concert ).
    
    	Nothing great...good sound though...I'd go again if it came down to
    it.
    
    B.A.

    Re: .0
    
    "Ain't That America" is called "Pink Houses".
    
    Never seen him live, but really like his music.  Personal faves are
    "Paper In Fire" and "Rain On the Scarecrow" - least fave (by a mile) is
    "Small Town" - monotonous, IMO.
    
    K.C.

I saw him as opening act for Heart in 1982, just after American Fool came out.
He was annoying and I went away unimpressed.  He played Feels So Good at least
twice.

I have since gotten his Scarecrow and Lonesome Jubiliee albums.

I think he has grown up.  His music certainly matured and I respect him as a
musician now.  I would like to see him live.  His Lonesome Jubilee tour would
have been interesting with the fiddle accompaniment.

Tim

I saw that '82 show as well, before he got an attitude/personality.

Maybe if I wasn't subjected to marathon 'Jack & Diane' broadcasts
for the previous several months, it would've been more fun.
Heart was cool, though (PRIVATE AUDITION).

BTW, in the 'what a way to start a note' category,
you should spell his name correctly in the title;
I beleive it's MELLENCAMP.

-jn-

I've seen John Cougar Mellencamp live several times, and thoroughly enjoyed
his show! In fact, I think he's one of the better live entertainers to come
out of the 80's. Like other noters have mentioned, early on in his career
he wasn't that great, and had way too high an opinion of himself. 

But right around the 'Scarecrow' album, that all changed. His live shows are 
now reminiscient of Springsteen's shows - two full sets, each about 1� hours
long. Lots of music, both ballads and rockers. A nice full, clean sound
(complete with fiddle player, accordian, and background singers), and a
nice clean stage setup also.

He'll usually play all of his hits, past and present. And also throw in a
few covers along the way ("Cold Sweat" and "Under The Boardwalk" were two
covers he did last time I saw him.

I'd highly recommend his show to anyone nowadays - one of the better bargains
you could find on the concert trail!

alan

    RE-3
    
        KC. Ain't that America was the name of the video collection, Pink
    Houses was one of the tracks.
    
    RE-5 
        -jn- ok so I spelt JGM name wrong ,hey cut me some slack I was on
    nightshift and going downhill fast !!.
    
    
    RE-5
        Alan
    
            I agree that he really took off  after 'Scarecrow' ( one of my all
    time fav albums ).
    
    I have bought all his stuff since then right up to 'whenever we wanted'
    which I think is a big let down,I dont go for this lets get back to the
    
    roots stuff,however his next effort is eagerly awaited over here
    already.
    
    It's interesting to compare him to Springsteen , Ive saw the boss twice
    and he's simply the best live act around but JGM has only played London
    a few times ( I think ) and never commands the 'hype' he deserves, if
    I never saw a live act again I'd be happy if I could just see " the
    cougar man" once.
    
    Do you know if he's touring just now and more importantly is he coming
    to Europe and the UK (Scotland).                         
    
                                                 CHEERS
                                          
                                                      Davie......       
    
    
    
    
             

I saw Mellencamp on the Lonesome Jubilee tour at the
Boston Garden, and that was indeed a great show.  Not 
in the same league as the Springsteen show I saw in 
'78 in Detroit (no other show has been like that), but
an outstanding show on its own terms.  The large band
was a treat to hear and to watch.

I agree that Whenever We Wanted is a disappointing
album, but I can see that he wanted a change after the
ever-darkening moods of the previous 4 albums, all of
which I really enjoy.  People have mentioned Scarecrow
as the turning point, but Uh-Huh is a really good album.
I've no desire to get any of the previous albums, since
Jack and Diane is one of my least favorite rock songs
of all time.

I don't know his current touring plans, unfortunately,
but if you enjoy his music I'd recommend seeing him if
you can!

    If he sets foot in Britain I'll be there, I'm even MORE desperate to
    see him now.
                                                                   
    Sooner or later he'll make it 'big' in the UK and maybe play a few
    football grounds.
    
    To date his only success in the singles charts has been 'Jack and
    Diane', but people seem to remember him by it ( dont know if thats 
    good or bad ).
    
                                                          davie....

    re .last 
    
    Hate to tell you this but........he was in Britain, well London
    anyway, about 2-3 weeks ago. He played at Wembley Arena the night
    after the IRA bombs in London. I had a ticket but could'nt make it
    as one of the kids was ill that day. Come to think of it last time
    I saw JCM, at Hammy Odeon a few years back, we had to take the oldest
    child to hospital after getting back from the show. Spooky. 
    
    As for JCM doing the stadium circuit over here, I'd be very surprised.
    I think Springsteen would have his work cut out in packing out the 
    likes of Wembley Stadium these days, since his singles profile (and
    success) has been pretty low since "Born in the USA." And if Brucey 
    can't do it, JCM has'nt got a hope in hell. Like Springsteen I think
    JCM has already hit his peak, be it a lower one, and won't get much
    further than indoor arenas. Barnet FC stadium perhaps? :^)
    
    barry.
    
    p.s. Cherry Bomb(?) should've been a hit over here. Pity.
                       

    He's one that I haven't caught live yet.  I really liked The Lonesome
    Jubilee (loved Cherry Bomb), but thought the last two were boring.  
    
    I've been told he's great live, though.
    
    He has nice hair. :-)  (or did, when it was longer)
    
    Lorna

    RE-10
    
         Barry,
    
               You sure know how to take the wind out of someone's sail's
         I suppose I'll just have to wait for the "NEXT" tour  :-(
    
    
       I still think though that JCM could still "make" it big here though
       look at Bryan Adams ,he's had no success in the UK since 'RECKLESS'
       but bounce's back with the Robin Hood theme and suddenly he's play-
       ing large stadium's again ( I'm going to see him in June at Glasgow
       Celtic's ground , should be around 40,000 there ).
    
       I've heard ( rumours ) that when Sringsteen tours it will be smaller
       gig's which is a pity cause he really excells himself at outdoor
       venues, last time I saw him ( tunnel of love tour ) he was
       excellent.I think whatever he plays it will be a 'sell out' no
       problem.
      
       Thanks again for the info Barry but its certainly "not" made my day.
    
    
    
                                                     cheers
     
                                                           Davie...........
    .
    
    

    Good News for JCM fans.  He is playing at Great Woods on July 18th
    (Sat).  Tickets go on sale May 29th.
    
    My wife and I have followed JCM for years and recently saw this show
    (Whenever We Wanted Tour) this past Jan at the Centurim in Worcester
    MA.  This is a GREAT show.... Don't miss it!!
    
    I'll see you there!!!
    
    Regards,
    
    Bill

    Hi Bill,
    
    
              How was the show at Great Woods,as good as expected ?.
    
    
                                                     Davie....

    My sis-in-law, a die-hard JCM fan, said it was very ordinary...nothing
    special.
    
    Mark.

From: [email protected] (UPI)
Subject: Mellencamp calls concerts 'postcard' to flood victims
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 93 5:50:19 PDT

	NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (UPI) -- John Mellencamp's three sold-out flood-aid
concerts are just a ``postcard'' to victims from folks on dry ground, he
says.
	The money he can raise is only a drop in the deluge of need, he
indicated.
	The Indiana-born rocker held the first concert Wednesday night at
Tinley Park, Ill., just outside Chicago. The other two were scheduled
for Thursday night at Deer Creek Music Center just north of Indianapolis
and at St. Louis Saturday.
	``Really what we're here for is just to send a postcard to these
people who are in trouble and say: 'Our hearts and thoughts are with
you,''' Mellencamp said, as quoted in Thursday's Indianapolis Star.
	``The kind of money that we could raise is nothing compared to what
these people need,'' he said.
	The three concerts are expected to raise at least $700,000 from sales
of the tickets at $10 per ticket.
	Mellencamp also organized a toll-free line and post office box for
additional donations: 800-251-6222 and Concerts for the Heartland, Box
5955, Bloomington, IN 47407.

    
    Great way to boost a faltering career too.
    
    

>    Great way to boost a faltering career too.

Faltering career??? Jeez, his last album was a HUGE hit - I still hear
those songs on the radio a lot.... "Love And Happiness", "Get A Leg Up",
"Again Tonight", "Last Chance", all were big-time radio hits. (Not sure
of what total sales were, but I know it went platinum-plus.)

alan

    
    Big hit?  Not out here in CA.  
    
    -Ed
    

    As I recall, Mr. Mellencamp also did numerous fund raisers for the
    farmers of the midwest when they were in financial crisis quite a few
    years ago. This, when he had quite a bit more airplay. I think he's
    established a significant track record of consistently helping the
    midwest by drawing attention to their plight when needed. I think his
    heart is in the right place.
    
    I imagine folks on the west coast would be able to appreciate someone
    doing something constructive in the face of a natural disaster.
    
    jim ( native mid-westerner)
    
    

    
    
    Does anyone know if he is working on a new album (cd) at the moment
    
    Also any tours planned for Europe ???
    
    
                                                         thanks
    
                                                            Davie....
    
    

>    Does anyone know if he is working on a new album (cd) at the moment

He has a new album due out later this month. The first single is already 
out, called "What If I Come Knocking". Good stuff, as usual....

alan

    
    
    
    Thanks  Alan,
    
                    I'll look forward to hearing it.....
    
    
                                                         Davie....
    
    

    
    
     I'm not a huge JM fan, but I did think his performance on MTV's
    Unplugged was really good. With all the Unplugged material being
    released these days, I'd like to see this one too.
    
                                                          mike
    

    re. 22 and others:
    
    JM CD due September 7.
    
    Mike

    Anyone catch John on the Letterman show?  He did "Would You hear me
    Knockin' (?)"-looked good, shorter hair, band still intact.
    
    Anxiously awaiting the disk and hopeful for a tour!
    
    Bob