On the Rural Route 7609 [Special Edition / 4 CDs] [Box set, Special Edition]

John Mellencamp | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 2010)
• Original Release Date: June 15, 2010
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Special Edition
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B002GYHIWG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,943 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Labeling John Mellencamp's "On The Rural Route 7609" a box set would be a misnomer on several levels. In format, it is much more akin to a lavish book and is in fact, not packaged in a box. With 54 songs, 17 of which are previously unreleased on any Mellencamp CD, on 4 discs, the set is thoroughly annotated by award-winning music journalist/historian Anthony DeCurtis. Also included within its 72 pages are numerous evocative photos reflecting Mellencamp's transformation from pop idol to his current status as transcendent singer/writer whose work is celebrated, sometimes as a painfully honest musical reflection of hard scrabble midwestern values. Mellencamp songs from all phases of that career are included as are special guest readings by Academy Award (R) wining actress Joanne Woodward as well as from Dr. Cornel West, best selling author, lecturer and commentator.

Unlike standard issue box sets, "On The Rural Route 7609" is not a collection of hits and near-hits in chronological order. Rather, each of the discs is programmed as if it were a free-standing album with shared themes and a sense of flow that offers one a compelling context to listen from start to finish versus defaulting to searching for the most familiar tracks. While there is certainly a wealth of well-known material, a significant number of tracks are offered that, while less familiar, are equally significant in terms of providing an in-depth picture of the Mellencamp's spectrum of creativity. Those tracks juxtaposed to signature songs long-associated with Mellencamp on the four "albums" in the set give long-term Mellencamp fans and newer listers alike, a more complete and insightful view of the artist's role as a writer and artist whose catalog of songs and recordings glow with substance and nuance.

"On The Rural Route 7609" is a musical journey that sheds new light on an American musician who, as both a songwriter and and social activist. Mellencamp found his true voice as he followed his heart and mind over the course of a career that, after an improbable start, has spanned four decades and is reflected in the selections heard "On The Rural Route 7609". "On The Rural Route 7609" is a singular way to discover John Mellencamp again.. arguably, for the first time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too Expensive...Not Enough Music, June 16, 2010

By 

Aaron Leffler (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the Rural Route 7609 [Special Edition / 4 CDs] (Audio CD)

I love John Mellencamp and I love the music on this Box Set. I own every Mellencamp Album from Scarecrow onward including his hits collections. What disgusts me on this item is that there is not even 4 hours of music spread across 4 cd's. That is horrible considering the amount of remixed and live material that is out there. I mean really $80.00??? And that is the sale price. They/he should have issued TWO versions...One for those who just want the music for around $40.00 and one that is more expensive for the hardcore fan.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "On The Rural Route 7609"., June 15, 2010

By 

M. Mariba "the teacher" (pretoria, south africa) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Rural Route 7609 [Special Edition / 4 CDs] (Audio CD)

When John Mellencamp first announced this project on his official website in 2009, the impression I got was that John Mellencanp had many unreleased songs (more than 17 songs for a 4 CD box set) that were overlooked (against the hits) in previous album releases [15 December 2009, year-end conversation with John Mellencamp, official website]. This to me was reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen's 1998 release "The Tracks" (4 CD Box Set), where previously unreleased songs predominated. However, "On The Rural Route 7609" has 37 mainly acoustic/demo versions of previously released songs and only 17 (new songs) previously unreleased songs. The predominent acoustic/demo versions of songs on this 4 CD/BOOK box set however fits very well with John Mellencamp's two previous mellow releases "Freedom's Road" (2007) & "Life Death Love & Freedom" (2008). I also see that John Mellencamp is releasing a new studio album "No Better Than This" on 17 August 2010, may be another reason why only 17 new songs are on the this box set! If you like John Mellencamp's music you will like/enjoy this release "On The Rural Route 7609". The book is a 72 page filled delight with dozens of rare photos of John Mellencamp & the band, lyrics & track by track commentary by John Mellencamp himself. The box set is however too pricey for the product released (as compared to other similar releases on Amazon), would have been justified perhaps if it was predominantly new songs. "On The Rural Route 7609" a 4 CD/BOOK box set thus deserves 3,5 stars that approximates 4 stars!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful collection, wonderful packaging, August 1, 2010

By 

Thomas Thomsen (Denmark) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the Rural Route 7609 [Special Edition / 4 CDs] (Audio CD)

Reading many of these "reviews" I get this impression: "With hard-core fans like these who needs enemies?"
I'm not a hard-core fan, but I can tell that this was obviously a labor of love for John Mellencamp. This release is not about which songs were included, and which songs that weren't. This is not a traditional retrospective, and it was never meant to be. It is, however, a wonderful selection of Mellencamp's body of work, an excellent alternative approach to a more traditional box set, and the packaging is simply beautiful. I wouldn't want to be without it, and I highly recommend it!